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Windows 8 is installing NVIDIA's bloated driver software packages on start-up.

A number of negative responses to this question have shown misunderstands about the differences between the core drivers and the other software that is bundled with them. The drivers themselves are required for the device to operate, and they have been included with Windows for at least the last two versions.

However, the software that is bundled with the drivers in the driver packages is not required for the operation of the device, and I don't want or use them. These include the system tray utility, automatic updater and Windows service. (I also don't use the 3D Vision driver.) None of these are needed for correct operation of the device, so they are bloatware to me.

Every time I uninstall them, Windows reinstalls the whole lot without my permission the next time the computer starts.

I recall that previous versions of Windows didn't do this; I chose whether and when to install the nVidia software. I believe that previous versions of Windows already included compatible drivers and functioned correctly without the bloatware.

I am using Windows 8 Pro 64-bit. I have an nVidia 8800GT graphics card.

I have already disabled automatic driver installations in the Device Installation Settings dialog. This seemed to be the most logical starting point. However, it didn't seem to make any difference.

In Windows 7, the nVidia software was delivered as a recommended Windows update. However, in Windows 8, it's now delivered to me as an important update.

Consequently, I changed the Windows Update settings to prevent the automatic installation of important updates to gain control of the installation of the nVidia software. From there, I also hid the update for convenience. Doing this at first appeared to solve the problem.

Unfortunately, after several days I discovered the bloatware was secretly reinstalled again. Preventing its automatic installation through Windows Update only appeared to reduce the frequency of the installations.

How can I prevent Windows 8 from installing this nVidia bloatware?

Okay, that's not windows update that you get. Thats an ITB (In the box ) driver that's getting loaded. It comes as a feature with Windows 8 onwards. Regarding disabling it, Not sure. But you could try custom installation of an updated driver version(just driver package and not additional components). ITB should not load of the installed version is an updated version

In my case, updating NVidia drivers caused a endless failed windows update loop when I was not connected to my corporate domain because of the Trend Micro software. I was losing 4 hours recovering every time it updated undoing and manually fixing it. The group policy forced updates through even though I disabled automatic update installations.

I found these links helpful:

https://www.tenforums.com/windows-updates-activation/31033-kb3073930-will-not-hide-nvidia-driver-update-2.html

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/insider/forum/all/how-do-i-stop-nvidia-driver-34965-from-auto/1e82e119-789c-4809-bcd3-56e1515bedc2

Windows 7 Advanced System Settings:

• Navigate to Control Panel->System


• On the bar on the left, click Advanced System Settings

Windows 10 Advanced System Settings:

• Type “System Settings” in the search next to start.


• Select View advanced system settings.

Windows 7/10 Disable Driver Updates:

• Click on Hardware Tab in system properties.


• Click on Device installation settings.


• Select No, Let Me choose what to do.


• Select Never install driver software from Windows Update.


• Click on Save changes.

Just go to Windows Update, look for the Geforce Driver (where currently the driver is marked as important update), disable and hide it.

The concerning update can be found easily, if you search for new updates directly after reinstalling an older driver.

I don't really think of those things as bloatware, and they may be required. If you do not want them to run at startup you can try disabling with msconfig, but be warned if they are required you may boot up to a blank screen.

I use Windows XP SP3 IE7:

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindowsDriverSearching]

"DontSearchWindowsUpdate"=dword:00000001

"DontPromptForWindowsUpdate"=dword:00000001

Do note that in order for your nVidia 8800GT Graphics card to actually function, the nVidia drivers NEED to be installed. Especially on a graphic heavy interface that Windows 8 provides. Otherwise there is no reason to have your 8800GT inside the system. The software that is being installed by nVidia is NOT bloatware. I think your definition of bloatware is a bit flawed, as it is NEEDED under the Windows8 Operating system. Unless your motherboard has on-board video you will need the nvidia driver.