How to stop Manufacturer Apps from Installing Automatically in Windows 11

Method 1Using the ⚙️ Windows Settings App

You can stop manufacturer apps from 💿 installing automatically in Windows 11 using ⚙️ the Settings app. This method works for all Windows 11 versions, including Home, and is a straightforward way to manage unwanted programs that come with your PC.

1. ⚙️ Open Settings: Click the ⊞ Start button (the Windows icon) on 🖥️ your taskbar and then click ⚙️ the Settings cog icon. You can also press the Windows key + I on your keyboard.
2. Go to System Information: In ⚙️ the Settings window, click on “System” in the left sidebar. Scroll down and click on “About.”
3. Access Advanced System Settings: Under the “Device specifications” section, click on “Advanced system settings.” A new window called “System Properties” will open.
4. Go to Hardware Settings: In the “System Properties” window, click the “Hardware” tab at the top.
5. Open Device Installation Settings: Click the button that says “Device Installation Settings.”
6. Choose Not to Install Apps: You will see a question: “Do you want to allow Windows to download inbox apps and manufacturer icons for your devices?” Select the option that says “No (your device might not work as expected).”
   

   Choosing not to install apps prevents unwanted programs from 💿 installing automatically. A prompt asks: "Do you want to allow Windows to download inbox apps and manufacturer icons for your devices?" Select "No (your device might not work as expected)." This choice stops unwanted apps but may also prevent necessary drivers or utilities from installing automatically if your hardware requires them. 🔃 Windows Update will still install essential drivers in most cases.

7. Save Your Changes: Click the “Save Changes” button at the bottom.
8. Confirm the Changes: You may be asked for administrator permission. Click “Yes” if prompted. Then click “OK” to close the “System Properties” window.

After following these steps, Windows 11 should stop automatically ⬇️ downloading and 💿 installing companion apps from hardware manufacturers when you connect new devices.

Method 2Using the Local Group Policy Editor (🪟 Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, Education)

If you have Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education, you can use the Local Group Policy Editor to stop manufacturer apps from 💿 installing automatically. This tool gives you deeper control over system settings and is a powerful way to manage what software gets added to your computer.

1. Open the Local Group Policy Editor: Click the ⊞ Start button, type gpedit.msc, and then click on the “Run command” result, or press Enter.
   

   💡Tip

   This tool lets you change many system settings that affect how Windows behaves.
2. Navigate to the Correct Policy: In the Local Group Policy Editor window, follow this path by clicking through the folders:

   Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Device Installation

3. Find the Policy Setting: In the right-hand side, find a policy named “Prevent automatic download of applications associated with device metadata.” Double-click on it.
   
4. Enable the Policy: A new window will appear. To stop automatic downloads, select the “Enabled” option. Enabling this policy actually *prevents* Windows from automatically ⬇️ downloading apps.

   The Policy setting stops automatic app downloads. To turn on this policy, select the "Enabled" option in the new window. Enabling this policy prevents Windows from automatically ⬇️ downloading apps. This policy instructs Windows not to automatically get applications based on information it receives from your connected devices.
5. Apply and Confirm: Click the “Apply” button, then click “OK” to save the changes and close the window.
   

The Local Group Policy Editor will now prevent Windows 11 from automatically 💿 installing manufacturer apps for your hardware.

Method 3Using the Windows Registry Editor (All 🪟 Windows 11 Versions)

For all Windows 11 versions, including Home, you can stop manufacturer apps from 💿 installing automatically by editing the Windows Registry. This advanced method requires careful steps, so it’s best for users comfortable with registry edits, and backing up your registry first is highly recommended.

Before you start: It’s strongly recommended to back up your Registry. Open the Registry Editor, go to File > Export, and save a copy of your entire Registry.

1. Open the Registry Editor: Click the ⊞ Start button, type regedit, and then click on the “Run command” result, or press Enter.
   

   ⚠️Warning

   Editing the Registry incorrectly can cause serious problems with your Windows installation. Proceed with caution.
2. Navigate to the Correct Registry Key: In the Registry Editor, go to this location. You can copy and paste this path into the address bar at the top:
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Device Metadata
   

   If the Device Metadata key does not exist, you need to create it. 🖱️ Right-click on the Windows key, select “New,” then “Key,” and name it Device Metadata.

3. Create or Modify the DWORD Value: Once you are in the Device Metadata key, look in the right-hand pane. You need to create or change a value named PreventDeviceMetadataFromNetwork.

   • If PreventDeviceMetadataFromNetwork already exists, double-click on it.
   • If it does not exist, right-click in the empty space on the right, select “New,” then “DWORD (32-bit) Value.” Name this new value exactly PreventDeviceMetadataFromNetwork.
4. Set the Value Data: When the “Edit DWORD (32-bit) Value” window opens, change the “Value data” field to 1.
   

   Explanation: Setting this value to 1 tells Windows to stop automatically ⬇️ downloading device information and related apps from the internet. A value of 0 would allow it.

   Click “OK” to save the change.
5. 🔄 Restart Your Computer: For the changes to work, you must 🔄 restart your computer. Close the Registry Editor before restarting.

After your computer restarts, Windows 11 will stop trying to automatically download manufacturer apps using the registry modification method, preventing unwanted bloatware.

Reverting the Registry Changes

If you want to allow automatic app downloads again, follow the same steps as Method 3. In step 4, change the “Value data” for PreventDeviceMetadataFromNetwork back to 0, or delete the PreventDeviceMetadataFromNetwork value completely. Then, 🔄 restart your computer.

Summary

To stop manufacturer apps from 💿 installing automatically in Windows 11, you have three main options. ⚙️ The Settings app is the easiest for everyone. For Pro, Enterprise, and Education users, the Local Group Policy Editor offers more control. All versions can use the Registry Editor, but this requires caution.