How to dismiss the outdated driver packages in Windows 11?

Effective Methods to Remove Outdated Driver Packages in Windows 11

Keeping your Windows 11 system updated is essential for optimal performance, security, and stability. Occasionally, outdated or unnecessary driver packages linger in the system, causing clutter and potential conflicts. If you’ve encountered persistent driver entries in your update list, particularly those you wish to dismiss, this comprehensive guide will help you resolve the issue efficiently.

The Challenge: Managing Obsolete Driver Packages

In Windows 11, the Windows Update interface may display driver packages that are no longer relevant or have become obsolete. These can be shown under the “Download & install all” section, prompting users to either install or dismiss them. Sometimes, standard methods like enabling specific Group Policy settings do not fully hide these entries, leaving users seeking alternative solutions.

Common Approach: Adjusting Group Policy Settings

Many users have recommended disabling driver updates via Group Policy to prevent outdated drivers from appearing:

1. Open Group Policy Editor:
2. Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.
3. Navigate to:
4. Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Windows Components → Windows Update.
5. Configure the Setting:
6. Find “Do not include drivers with Windows Updates” and enable it.
7. Apply and Restart:

While this method can work in many cases, some users report that outdated driver entries still appear even after following these steps.

Advanced Solution: Manually Removing Outdated Driver Packages

If the above approach does not eliminate the obsolete drivers, manually removing them from the driver store may be necessary.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator:

2. Search for “cmd” in the Start menu, right-click, and select “Run as administrator.”

3. List Driver Packages:

4. Use the following command to enumerate driver packages:
   dism /Online /Get-Drivers /Format:Table > drivers.txt

5. This creates a text file (drivers.txt) listing all installed driver packages.

6. Identify the Outdated Driver:

7. Review the list to find the specific driver packages you wish to remove, noting their Published Name or Class Guid.

8. Remove the Driver Package:

9. Execute the removal command:
   dism /Online /Remove-Driver /Driver:”<Published Name>” /Force
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