Verify that Windows Update Is Enabled
Applies To: Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2
When a smart card is inserted into the smart card reader, Windows attempts to search for an appropriate driver on Windows Update. If the Windows Update setting is disabled for driver software, smart card Plug and Play does not download and install the driver software. This can be resolved by modifying the Windows Update settings to enable Windows to search for driver software on Windows Update.
To verify or change Windows Update settings
Click Start, click All Programs, and then click Windows Update.
In the left pane, click Change Settings.
If the Important updates setting is set to Never check for updates (not recommended), Windows Update is turned off. To automatically download and install important updates, click Install updates automatically (recommended).
Under Recommended Updates, click Give me recommended updates the same way I receive important updates, and then click OK.
After enabling Windows Update, if a smart card is inserted in the smart card reader, Windows searches Windows Update for the smart card driver and installs it if one is found.
If Windows does not find the driver software for the smart card, you receive an error message saying "Device driver software was not successfully installed." Refer to the smart card troubleshooting diagram in Troubleshooting Smart Card Plug and Play Issues for the next troubleshooting step.
If Windows Update is disabled because of an enterprise deployment policy, the smart card driver must be installed manually. For instructions, see Manually Install a Smart Card Driver in this guide.