Configure Windows to Search Windows Update for Device Drivers

Applies To: Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2

When a new device is detected, Windows checks the driver store to see if an appropriate driver package is staged there. If not, it checks several locations to find a driver package. In order, these locations are:

1. The folders specified in the DevicePath registry setting. For more information, see Configure Windows to Search Additional Folders for Device Drivers.
   
2. Windows Update on the Web, as described in this topic.
   
3. A file path or media after provided by the user.

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc753091.aspx