Persistent refusal to disable "exclude driver update"

I'm really happy that Microsoft Windows 10 is not an aircraft because I could never take off as there is always something that wouldn't work. It's probably them who developed the 737 Max MCAS flight control system....

If it's not this, it's something else.
Persistence since the preceding version 1909 I cannot update drivers.
Back in 2019 in the PC settings control panel under "updates" under the top link, "view configured update policies" One policy shows persistently: "Exclude drivers from Windows quality updates" the same with the latest version and updates.

I tried all the settings here as well as the how to info on other sites such as superuser, but nothing works.
The problem is persistent the same.

The same applies when I go do devices and printers and right-click on my computer (main PC) and select "device installation settings" the next window, "device installation settings." Both choices are grayed out as well as the "save changes" button.


Thank you effing very much. Where is this damn setting? Why can't M$ give a hint/link, DUH!
The same applies to any attempt to Enable or Disable Installation of Removable Devices in Windows.

This leaves me with it with my RealTek USB3 card reader unable to read Sony memory sticks as I need to find that updated driver (which is another adventure)

I went through the GP editor, but to no avail. I checked all possible registry settings and they apparently are all right (not configured) playing around with them and changing to either enable or disable and rebooting seems to make no change.

Anyone know where that bug is?

Argh!

Windozer 10 64 bit
Version: 2004
OS Build: 19041.329
Windows Feature Experience Pack: 120.2202.130.0 (don't know where that comes from)

dalchina said:

Hi, First see if this tutorial points you to the group policy:

Enable or Disable Driver Updates in Windows Update in Windows 10

Then considering finding group policy settings, Policy plus (free) is a little easier to use than the group policy editor, especially when you want to use the filter (available in both) to find configured policies.

Download Policy Plus - MajorGeeks

Approach 1: review only configured policies
Set up a filter like this:


and only configured policies will be shown



Approach 2: search


Presumably the search respects the filter, thus you can search only configured policies.

I note you have chosen to join the Insider program- thus you will be exposed to bugs and unexpected situations, yet it seems you are frustrated by that. In fact you are a test pilot..

Thanks for the info! Will check out that TP management tool.
Thanks for the link "Enable or Disable Driver Updates in Windows Update in Windows" but I been through all the steps prior to posting here.
The insider program stuff, that's another thing, I never joined it!. As I write these lines and double check and it says under Windows insider program in red "diagnostic data must be set to full to get preview builds."
So it shouldn't be running neither have I ever enable it, at least not consciously, knowingly and willingly.

So, "Flaps 15° full throttle rich, V1 rotate V2, positive climb.... Shouldn't crash before getting airborne, right? We'll see. Will keep you posted!

So I spent most of Sunday trying to find out what's going on....
Classic S.N.A.F.U.

3 systems, desktop, laptop and a virtual machine [clean install].
All same OS Win10.2004 OS Build 19041.329 with all updates to date.

All are set and/or identical settings in GP Groups & Reg and all is fine, problem solved. Almost.

All is well on Laptop & virtual machine Control Panel, in Devices and Printers, > right click on the computer icon, and select "Device Installation Settings".
Not so on the desktop. I can't get it to work.
I cannot select "Yes, do this automatically", because it is unavailable and grayed out, permanently on "No"

All 3 systems are:


Only the desktop (oldest) has the issue.
Note: "Install Date" refers to last update(s)
Problem was first noticed last year prior to 10 1909 November update.
Update did not resolve the issue.
Set all GP's to defaults to no avail.

Thanks for the tip about Policy Plus App.
It helps although the app needs further development as it has some shortcomings making it, in part, cumbersome.

So I finally managed to disable the function "Exclude driver update..." and get rid of it
I discovered that all the mostly useless advice you find across the Internet contributes to creating the havoc as Windows 10 apparently has a serious design flaw. The 2 mainstream suggestions or either via group policy editor or via registry entries.
The floor is that neither and vice versa. Update the other.
In other words, you change something in the registry. The group policy editor will still show "disabled".

The remaining problem I have now is that "device installation settings" is still grayed out and disabled permanently on "no".


This results there any device I add the system refuses so my new card reader is at the moment equal to a brick when it comes to functionality. But which entry setting is causing this is as mysterious as the Oak Island treasure. All Microsoft would have needed to do is provide some basic link or information on the dialogue window itself, but no, Microsoft is so detached from everything. It's just another waste of time reading any other irrelevant support reply from some "Vishnu Pramarata" or the like.

All the settings in the group editor or on default "not configured" with one exception. "Allow administrators to override device installation restriction policies" which is set to "enabled". However, it seems to have no effect if set to "not configured" or "enabled".


A search on the Internet regarding this issue is as fruitless and overloaded with irrelevant information blah blah.

It looks like all there's left for me is to run in parallel the group editor of a machine that's working and this one. Hopefully finding the setting difference.