Configure driver search locations

This setting configures the location that Windows searches for drivers when a new piece of hardware is found.

By default, Windows searches the following places for drivers: local installation, floppy drives, CD-ROM drives, Windows Update.

Using this setting, you may remove the floppy and CD-ROM drives from the search algorithm.

If you enable this setting, you can remove the locations by selecting the associated check box beside the location name.

If you disable or do not configure this setting, Windows searches the installation location, floppy drives, and CD-ROM drives.

Note: To prevent searching Windows Update for drivers also see "Turn off Windows Update device driver searching" in Administrative Templates/System/Internet Communication Management/Internet Communication settings.

Supported on: Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, and Windows XP

Do not search floppy disk drives
Registry HiveHKEY_CURRENT_USER
Registry PathSoftware\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DriverSearching
Value NameDontSearchFloppies
Value TypeREG_DWORD
Default Value0
True Value1
False Value0
Do not search CD-ROM drives
Registry HiveHKEY_CURRENT_USER
Registry PathSoftware\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DriverSearching
Value NameDontSearchCD
Value TypeREG_DWORD
Default Value0
True Value1
False Value0
Do not search Windows Update
Registry HiveHKEY_CURRENT_USER
Registry PathSoftware\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DriverSearching
Value NameDontSearchWindowsUpdate
Value TypeREG_DWORD
Default Value0
True Value1
False Value0

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