Stop Windows from Detecting Devices Intended For Windows Me Windows 98 Windows 95 Although there is no way to prevent Windows from detecting and installing drivers for some devices (short of disconnecting or yanking them out of the system), you can disable certain devices that may be causing conflicts. The lack of a feature to remove an item from the list of detected devices (when you use Add/Remove Hardware) is quite irritating and confusing, but problems can usually be averted by following these steps: Right-click on My Computer, and select Properties. Click the Device Manager tab, and select the device you wish to disable. Click the Properties button, un-check Original Configration, and click OK. Written by: Annoyances.org Last updated: Thursday, August 9, 2001 Care to discuss this article with other Windows users? Select your operating system here, and click Continue to post your question. - Choose your OS -Windows 7Windows VistaWindows Server 2003Windows XPWindows 2000Windows MeWindows 98Windows 95 Previous discussions about this article: (open a message to see applicable responses, if any) [Windows 98] Question about 'Stop Windows from Detecting Devices' (MIKE BRAWLEY: Saturday, January 26, 2002) [Windows Me] Question about 'Stop Windows from Detecting Devices' (Folsom Fred: Saturday, January 18, 2003) [Windows Me] Question about 'Stop Windows from Detecting Devices' (Folsom Fred: Saturday, January 18, 2003) [Windows XP] Question about 'Stop Windows from Detecting Devices' (Kim: Thursday, September 30, 2004) [Windows 98] Question about 'Stop Windows from Detecting Devices' (Richard: Wednesday, November 24, 2004) [Windows XP] Question about 'Stop Windows from Detecting Devices' (Arthur Miracle: Saturday, December 11, 2004) [Windows 98] Question about 'Stop Windows from Detecting Devices' (bsun001: Thursday, January 13, 2005) Return to "Troubleshooting"