Printer driver keeps reinstalling — stop Windows auto-driver (Windows 11/10)
Joe B.
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Specialities: Windows 11/10, Printers, Drivers, Networking, Office Equipment
Prevent Windows from reinstalling printer driver — disable automatic driver update
Technician
Technician
• Device setup class policy set to “enable automatic driver update”.
• A queued device in Devices and Printers still bound to the Class Driver.
• Windows keeps a copy of the package in the DriverStore and reinstalls it on detection (USB replug / network rediscovery).
We’ll disable automatic driver update, purge the wrong package, then install the correct vendor driver.
Technician
1) Pause driver updates: Settings → Windows Update → Advanced options → Optional updates — don’t install printer drivers there. Also set Device installation settings to No (Control Panel → System → Advanced system settings → Hardware tab).
2) Remove wrong queue: Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners → remove “Microsoft IPP Class Driver” queue.
3) Purge package: Open Print Management (printmanagement.msc) → All Drivers → right-click the MS/IPP class package → Remove Driver Package.
4) Install vendor driver: run HP/Epson/Brother installer or add via Devices → Add device → Have Disk / vendor INF.
5) Set default printer and turn off “Let Windows manage my default printer” so it doesn’t switch back.
Technician
• Group Policy (Pro/Enterprise): Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → System → Device Installation → Device Installation Restrictions → enable “Prevent installation of devices that match any of these device IDs”. Add your printer’s hardware ID to lock the vendor driver.
• Disable automatic driver updates via WU: Computer Configuration → Admin Templates → Windows Components → Windows Update → Do not include drivers with Windows Updates.
• Home edition: use Gpedit (if available) or set Registry/Policy equivalents; at minimum, turn off “automatic driver update” and keep a static IP so Windows doesn’t rediscover it as a new device.
Technician
• Disconnect USB. Remove queues in Printers & scanners.
• Open Print Management → delete unwanted Drivers and Ports if left behind.
• Use
pnputil /enum-drivers to list packages; remove the wrong one with pnputil /delete-driver oem##.inf /uninstall /force.• Reboot, then install the vendor package first, and only then connect USB — this prevents the Windows automatic driver update from grabbing a generic class driver.
Technician
• IPP Class driver is stable and fine for basic print, but Windows may treat it as “preferred” and keep reinstalling it.
• If you need finishing, color profiles, secure print, or scan, install the vendor driver and then apply the policies above to stop replacement.
• For network printers, set a static IP so Windows doesn’t rediscover it as a “new” device with a different port.
Technician
1) Control Panel → System → Advanced system settings → Hardware → Device Installation Settings → choose No (your device might not work as expected).
2) Settings → Windows Update → Advanced options → turn off Receive updates for other Microsoft products and avoid Optional Driver Updates for printers.
3) Use the Show or hide updates troubleshooter (wushowhide) to hide a specific printer driver that keeps coming back.
Technician
• Toggle off Let Windows manage my default printer (Settings → Printers & scanners).
• Right-click your vendor queue → Set as default.
• If it’s a network printer, keep a static IP and use a Standard TCP/IP port so Windows can’t silently switch to IPP Class.
Technician
Quick answer: the accepted fix
Accepted fix for printer driver keeps reinstalling on Windows 11/10: Disable automatic driver updates, delete the wrong queue, remove the class driver package from DriverStore, then install the correct vendor driver and set it as default. This prevents Windows from reinstalling the printer driver and stops the auto-driver from replacing it.
Windows 11/10 keeps changing the printer driver — why it happens
Windows prefers “best ranked” packages from Windows Update (often the IPP Class driver). Without policies, the OS can auto install a printer driver during device rediscovery. Use Group Policy, wushowhide, and vendor INF to prevent Windows from reinstalling printer driver packages.
How to verify the fix
After install, open Print Management → Drivers and confirm only your vendor driver is listed. Print a test page. Reboot and reconnect the printer; the queue should remain on the vendor package with the default printer unchanged.
Stop Windows auto-driver — pro tips
Control updates, clean DriverStore, and pin the correct package.
Quick path: turn off automatic driver updates → remove wrong queues → purge class driver from DriverStore → install vendor INF → set default → optionally block by hardware ID in Group Policy. These steps solve most Windows 10/11 printer driver problems where the driver keeps reinstalling.
Disclaimer: This information is AI-generated and intended for general guidance only. For advice specific to your environment, please consult a verified expert on Whizz-Tech before making decisions.
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FAQ
How do I stop Windows from auto-installing printer drivers?
Disable automatic driver updates, hide the unwanted driver in Optional Updates, remove the wrong queue, purge the class driver from DriverStore, then install the vendor package and set it as default.
Why does the printer driver keep changing to “Microsoft IPP Class Driver”?
Windows ranks the IPP Class driver highly and may replace vendor drivers during rediscovery. Block it via Group Policy or wushowhide and keep a static IP/Standard TCP/IP port.
Can I use IPP/AirPrint instead of the vendor driver?
Yes for basic printing. For advanced features (duplex finishing, color profiles, scan), install the vendor driver and prevent Windows from reinstalling the class driver.
How to set a default printer that Windows won’t change?
Turn off “Let Windows manage my default printer”, then right-click your vendor queue and Set as default. Use a static IP to avoid re-discovery as a new device.
Home edition without Group Policy — any workaround?
Use Device Installation Settings = No, avoid Optional Driver Updates, and use the wushowhide troubleshooter to hide the specific printer driver.
| Symptom | Likely cause | Quick fix |
|---|---|---|
| Driver switches to Microsoft IPP Class | Windows Update prefers class package | Disable driver updates; purge class driver; install vendor INF; set default |
| Driver reinstalls after USB replug | Stored generic package in DriverStore | Remove queue; pnputil delete package; install vendor before plugging |
| Default printer keeps changing | “Let Windows manage my default printer” enabled | Turn it off; set vendor queue as default; use static IP/Standard TCP/IP port |
| Repeated installs on network | DHCP changes IP; Windows re-detects device | Reserve static IP; add via Standard TCP/IP port; block unwanted driver via policy |
Step-by-step (Windows 11/10)
- Disable automatic driver updates (Device Installation Settings → No).
- Remove unwanted queues in Printers & scanners.
- Purge wrong packages: Print Management or
pnputilremove class driver. - Install the correct vendor driver (Have Disk/installer), then connect the printer.
- Set as default printer; turn off “Let Windows manage my default printer”.
Optional: advanced checks
- Block by hardware ID in Group Policy (Pro/Enterprise).
- Hide a specific update using wushowhide so it never auto-installs.
- For network printers, use a static IP and Standard TCP/IP port.
Sources
- Microsoft — Driver Store & pnputil
- Microsoft — Manage Windows Update for drivers
- Microsoft — Device Installation Restrictions
Filed under: Drivers & installation
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