When you first setup windows 7 you will see this displayed during the initial process 

If you chose to install only important updates as you would in earlier windows O/S XP and Vista etc. you're limiting Windows 7 capabilities to update the hardware of other devices connected to you computer. If you chose Use Recommended Updates by comparision then Windows Update will also automatically keep all the connected devices and other software updated.

If you have now decided you want to change this initial setting you may by opening the start menu and selecting Devices and Printers and you get
You ca access Device Installation settings by right clicking the Computer icon in the Devices and Printers window and select Device Installation Settings

Then you will see the device installation settings window

After yiu've made your select you maybe prompted with a UAC and need to use it appropriately to save these settings.