Persistent refusal to disable "exclude driver update"

Thanks, will check it out. And yes Once upon a time I did use a privacy tool but I had made a backup which I then reinstalled.
I also once had used O & O, shutup there to I exported the settings prior to changing anything and I have already tried to import the old settings but to no avail.

I just discovered something very odd in the registry. If you don't mind, please check it with yours and let me know if you get the same result.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DeviceInstall
subfolder restrictions
clicking on either of them results in the following error message:

MINOR SUCCESS!

In the registry setting under:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Device Metadata
the Dword "PreventDeviceMetadataFromNetwork" was set to "1"
setting it to "0" the device installation setting window now shows "yes (recommended)" as checked!
But, functionality is still grayed out .


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Observation:
In Control Panel under programs and features" under Windows features now. The bottom entry "work folders" client is turned on. The event viewer indicates that this is directly associated with setting the previously mentioned metadata. The word to"0"

All check out your other links. Talk to you later!
Sleep well.

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SOLVED "Device installation settings" greyed out

Under Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\System\Device Installation all have the status "not configured"
"Prevent device metadata retrieval from the Internet" is the key.
Simply selected it to "disabled" click on "apply" and then selected to "not configured" and click on "apply" and when checked "device installation settings" is was enabled and active again!


Turn On or Off Device Driver Automatic Installation in Windows 10 message #37 by Ano & #88

Culprits

1. Main problem:
Micro$oft "engineering*"... change a entry in registry editor it will not update in GP.
Change in GP it may change in registry but for some reason does not propagate elsewhere.
Hence if you actually delete an "0" entry in the registry the system "gets it".
In my case in GP it was "not configured" in registry set to "0" but only when I once deleted the entry it worked!

2. AntiSpy software changing settings but either not proper resetting or issue as in 1.

In any case thank for your efforts and help!
Much appreciated!
Thank you!

*Micro$oft, the 737 Max MCAS flight control system....