I had a mouse that would keep on installing its driver when plugged in, even with this setting off.

I remember Windows keeping a cache of autodownloaded drivers ("Driver Store") and reinstalling them when the device is plugged in, so the mouse bloatware kept on coming back.

Is this still the case?

▲ MaxL93 3 hours ago | parent [-]

You have to add keys under:

Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DeviceInstall\Restrictions

The keys I have right now are all REG_SZ (strings), and in order of "1" through "5", are:

---

1. SWC\VEN_DELL&DEV_AWCC

2. SWC\VID_DELL&PID_AWCC

3. SWC\Alienware_Command_Center

4. SWC\AWCC

5. SWC\VID001&PID0001&AWCCWINUI3APP

---

Nothing short of this prevented "Alienware Command Center" (AWCC.exe) from pushing itself onto my machine because of my Alienware OLED monitor.

I should note it's possible to shoot yourself in the foot there; I had entries 6, 7, and 8 blocking SWC\Generic, SWD\GenericRaw, and SWD\Generic — and that prevented Audio Endpoints from being mounted...

	▲	delta_p_delta_x 2 hours ago \| parent \| next [-]
		You only need (5) (see the AWCCWINUI3APP thing there?). There is also a group policy equivalent to this: `Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\System\Device Installation\Device Installation Restrictions Prevent installation of devices that match any of these device IDs Set to Enabled Enable Also apply to matching devices that are already installed` Add the following two IDs: `MONITOR\DELA246 SWC\VID001&PID0001&AWCCWINUI3APP` IMO this is especially heinous as Dell have registered the AWCC.exe software component as a hardware 'device' within the device tree that needs its own 'driver'. Methinks Microsoft need to tighten the noose on these annoying OEMs.
	▲	r1ch 2 hours ago \| parent \| prev [-]
		Even that isn't sufficient - I've been using this for years and every so often AWCC still manages to get through. The only 100% protection from it is to use Image File Execution Options to match on the installer name to prevent it from ever running.