What is the default value of SearchOrderConfig?

The Windows default of SearchOrderConfig is 1. Frozen Tweaks sets it to 0, and switching the tweak off puts back the value you had before.

Is "Keep Windows Update From Replacing Drivers" safe to switch on?

Worth it if Windows has replaced your graphics driver before. Remember that driver updates are now your job. The main cost: Windows no longer delivers driver updates at all, including useful ones for chipsets, Wi-Fi and firmware. You update drivers yourself.

Switch the tweak off in Frozen Tweaks. Switching it off puts back exactly what was there before, value for value.

Is "Keep Windows Update From Replacing Drivers" free in Frozen Tweaks?

It is part of Frozen Pro and Elite. You can also make the change by hand with the values on this page.

ExcludeWUDriversInQualityUpdate: stop Windows Update from replacing your GPU driver

Frost LIVEWindowsProUndo: YesUpdated Oct 8, 2026View as Markdown

Short answer

Updated Oct 8, 2026

Windows Update can install drivers on its own, and sometimes replaces a graphics driver you installed with an older one. ExcludeWUDriversInQualityUpdate set to 1 and SearchOrderConfig set to 0 leave drivers out of Windows Update. In the registry it sets ExcludeWUDriversInQualityUpdate to 1 under HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate, and 1 more value.

In the app

Keep Windows Update From Replacing DriversPRO

Registry

HKLMSOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate

ExcludeWUDriversInQualityUpdateYour previous value1

What the switch writes. Your current value may differ. 1 more change below.

What it does

In the app the switch is called "Keep Windows Update From Replacing Drivers", described there as: Leaves drivers out of Windows Update, so it cannot swap your GPU driver for an older one.

When it helps, and when it hurts

When it helps

Keeping the graphics driver you chose, and avoiding a driver swap in the middle of a week.

When it hurts

Windows no longer delivers driver updates at all, including useful ones for chipsets, Wi-Fi and firmware. You update drivers yourself.

What it writes

Exactly what the switch changes, read from the app's source. Switching it off is what the app writes when you turn the tweak off again.

Registry values the switch writes.
Key and value	With the tweak	Switching it off
HKLMSOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdateExcludeWUDriversInQualityUpdate	1	Your previous valueSaved before the change, or deleted if there was none.
HKLMSOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\DriverSearchingSearchOrderConfig	0	Your previous valueSaved before the change, or deleted if there was none.Windows default: 1.

From the app's source (pack_extra.hpp), app 2.0.0, checked Oct 8, 2026.

The same change by hand

You do not need the app for this one. These commands make the changes from the table above. Run them in a Command Prompt opened as administrator, and make a restore point first.

Make the change · CMD

reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate" /v "ExcludeWUDriversInQualityUpdate" /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\DriverSearching" /v "SearchOrderConfig" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

Put it back · CMD

reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\DriverSearching" /v "SearchOrderConfig" /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

See what it is set to now · CMD

reg query "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate" /v "ExcludeWUDriversInQualityUpdate"

How to undo it

In the app: Yes

Switching it off puts back exactly what was there before, value for value.

Switch the tweak off in Frozen Tweaks. The app saved what each value was before the change and writes exactly that back, or removes the value if it did not exist.

Changing several settings at once? The app's Make a restore point button, on every plan, makes a Windows restore point before you start.

Verdict

Worth it if Windows has replaced your graphics driver before. Remember that driver updates are now your job.

Questions

What does the "Keep Windows Update From Replacing Drivers" tweak change in Windows?: In the registry it sets ExcludeWUDriversInQualityUpdate to 1 under HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate, and 1 more value. The full list is in the table on this page, read from the app's source.
What is the default value of SearchOrderConfig?: The Windows default of SearchOrderConfig is 1. Frozen Tweaks sets it to 0, and switching the tweak off puts back the value you had before.
Is "Keep Windows Update From Replacing Drivers" safe to switch on?: Worth it if Windows has replaced your graphics driver before. Remember that driver updates are now your job. The main cost: Windows no longer delivers driver updates at all, including useful ones for chipsets, Wi-Fi and firmware. You update drivers yourself.
How do I undo it?: Switch the tweak off in Frozen Tweaks. Switching it off puts back exactly what was there before, value for value.
Is "Keep Windows Update From Replacing Drivers" free in Frozen Tweaks?: It is part of Frozen Pro and Elite. You can also make the change by hand with the values on this page.

In the app