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How to disable Google Chrome updates. How to disable background work and notifications in the Google Chrome browser

One of the most attractive features Google Chrome- This is an automatic update option that makes your life easier by managing software updates without bothering you about everything related to it. However, this useful feature can also create problems. If you do not have enough bandwidth or work in a corporate environment , automatic updates this will not be a good feature for you, you can disable it automatic updatesgoogle chrome and then manually update google chrome whenever you want. For example, if a company decides to install Google Chrome on all computers and asks all its employees to start using it, we will have a situation where thousands Google Chrome installations in one office, trying to check for updates and download updates. This will create problems for network administrators!

So here's my take on how you can disable this feature, on Google's help page.

Disable Google Chrome automatic updates

Launch Terminal located in /Applications/Utilities/
Enter the following default values, write the command and press return:

defaults write com.google.Keystone.Agent checkInterval 0

Exit Terminal and restart Google Chrome

Note that this setting turns off all automatic updates for all Google apps on your computer, not just Chrome. Perhaps there is a way to disable Chrome automatic update elements, I did not find it, even though Google offers a broader solution described above.

Manually disable Chrome updates after automatic updates

Now that you have turned off the automatic update features, you want to update Google Chrome manually. The easiest thing would be to just download the latest version Chrome from the website, but you can also start the update process from the command line by following the steps below:

In OS X Finder, press Command+Shift+G to open select Folders window, enter the following path:

/Library/Google/GoogleSoftwareUpdate/GoogleSoftwareUpdate.bundle/Contents/Resources/

Find “CheckForUpdatesNow.command” and double click on it to launch Terminal and run Google software update manually

If you're tired of struggling with manual updates, it's easy to turn around again:

Enable automatic updates for Google Chrome

Launch the Terminal located in /Applications/Utilities/ and enter the following default values, write the command:

defaults write com.google.Keystone.Agent checkInterval 18000

Quit Terminal and restart Google Chrome to update automatically

The numbers at the end are the number of seconds between checking the version, 18000 is the default, but if you want to be more or less aggressive choose a higher or lower number accordingly.

Note: Do not disable automatic updates, otherwise you will not be able to update to the latest security updates. You will need to keep your eyes closed Google Chrome-releases from time to time and keep a set of security settings.

There are several ways to disable auto-updates in Google Chrome. Before you use them, think about whether you really need it. After all, older versions of the browser are vulnerable and unsafe.

Should I disable auto-updates?

Automatic updates are an important feature, so you should disable it only when absolutely necessary. If, for example, you need a certain version of a program or in order to temporarily free up Internet traffic for more urgent actions.

Only an updated browser can guarantee the high level of protection promised by the developers.

Please note that all further manipulations are carried out only at your own peril and risk. In order to correct situations if Google Chrome or your PC begins to work incorrectly, create a restore point in advance that will allow you to perform a system rollback.

Google will not update to new versions

Method number 1: msconfig command to help

The first method is to disable Google Chrome update services in a special window. How to get to it?

1.In Start, enter the msconfig command in the search bar and press Enter. You can also press Win+R. The Run window will appear. Write the same word msconfig in the line.

2.Switch to “Services”. Check the box next to "Do not display Microsoft services" for faster searching.

3. Among all the points that are important to us: Google Update (gupdate) and Google Update (gupdatem).

4.Click on “Apply” and then on OK. In the next window, confirm to restart the PC.

Method number 2: deleting the update file

1.Right-click on the Google Chrome icon on your desktop. Select the second item “File location”.

2.Click on “Google” in the address bar of the folder.

3.Open the Update folder in Google.

4.GoogleUpdate will be a separate file. Call the context menu and click on the “Delete” item.

The folder can also be renamed, for example, to Update.old. Then you won't need to delete the file.

5.Restart the PC.

This method has one significant drawback: auto-update can only be returned by re-downloading the distribution and installing the program. Before this, it will need to be properly uninstalled.

Method number 3: through browser settings

1.In your browser settings, scroll to “Show advanced settings.” In the “Personal Data” section, click on the first button “Content Settings”.

2. A new “Plugins” window will open. Click on "Disable individual plugins..."

3.Find the Google Update element. Disable the feature.

Method #4: Local Group Policy Editor

A more complex method designed for computer-savvy people.

1.Upload the archive in ADMX format on the browser’s official resource in a block that in English looks like Obtaining the Administrative Template.

2.Unzip the GoogleUpdateAdmx folder and transfer its files to the folder at the following address: C:\Windows\PolicyDefinitions\

3.Open the policy editor: hold down Win+R and write gpedit.msc in the line.

4.Go to the Google Chrome folder through the initial “Computer Configuration” folder on the left side of the window, where the branching system is located. To do this, go through Administrative Templates - Google - Google Update - Applications.

5.Double-click Allow installation and set it to “Disabled”.

6.Also open the second item Update Policy Override. Define the “Enabled” parameter for this element, and in the Policy section select “Updates disabled” Save changes.

Additionally, you can remove the GoogleUpdate task. To do this, launch the Windows Task Scheduler. The instructions have already been given above.

Getting rid of auto-refresh tabs

New versions of the browser have introduced one not very convenient option: auto-refresh tabs. When inactive, background browser tabs begin to reload automatically. This eats up traffic, and when you leave a video in one tab for a while, the entire loading of media content may fail due to a page restart. You also often have to scroll through news feeds again. How to solve a problem? You just need to disable tab refresh:

1.Enter chrome://flags/#automatic-tab-discarding.

2.In the drop-down menu, select “Disabled”.

3.Restart the browser.

There are at least four ways to disable auto-update, including manually deleting the file that helps update the browser. Before the procedure, make sure that you really need it and get down to business.

Updating programs, browsers and operating system components is a necessary procedure that should not be neglected. But when you are on the mobile Internet, where every megabyte is counted, it is better not to do this, postponing it until an unlimited high-speed connection is available. To disable automatic updating of Google Chrome on the Windows 10 operating system, use one of the following methods.

Method 1

Right-click the Start button and select “Run” from the menu.

Alternatively, you can press the Win+R key combination.

In the “Open” time limit, enter the command msconfig and press the “Enter” button.
The following window will open:

Go to the “Services” tab, check the “Do not display Microsoft services” checkbox at the bottom of the window and look at the remaining list. Among others, the two services we need should remain there:

Google Update Service (gupdate) Google Update Service (gupdatem)

To disable Chrome browser updates, uncheck both services and click OK.
Windows 10 will display a warning window. Select the “Reboot” option.
After restarting the system, the browser will no longer update itself.

Method 2

The same thing can be done a little differently. Right-click on the “This PC” icon on the desktop and select “Manage” from the menu. The following window will appear:

Open the list of services and on the right side of the window we find the same Chrome browser update services as in the first method - gupdate And gupdatem. You need to double-click on each of them so that the properties window appears:

In the “Startup type” field, select “Disabled” and apply the changes.

Method 3

You can also disable updating the Google Chrome browser through the task scheduler. The fact is that the services that we deactivated in the two previous methods do not start on their own. This is done by a task scheduled for a specific time. Accordingly, if you remove it, the browser will not update itself. To do this, launch the system management window again and open the “Task Scheduler” section.

At the bottom right there is a complete schedule in which you need to find a task GoogleUpdateTaskMachineUA and double-click on it to see its tasks, including updating the browser, which should be disabled or deleted altogether:

After this, the Chrome web browser will not update itself, but only when you want it.

How to do this on Android?

Many owners of smartphones and tablets ask how they can permanently disable Google Chrome updates in the Android operating system. I'll tell you now!

The fact is that standard built-in means of a mobile operating system cannot prohibit updating one program. But you can configure this so that this process is controlled independently by the user. To do this, go to Google Play Market and open the main menu:

Find and select “Settings” >>> “Auto-update applications”. The following menu will appear:

Select the “Never” option. After this, you will not be able to install new versions of Play Market applications yourself and you will be in control of this process yourself!

There was one condition. I definitely needed Chrome version 25.0... I installed Google Chrome and decided to disable the update function, as I usually do (if not disabled, the browser will update automatically to the newest version).

I couldn’t find how to disable updates in Chrome and just quickly did it through msconfig and, just in case, autoload in CCleaner, thinking that these manipulations would be enough.

Imagine my surprise when I saw, after some time, that the browser had been updated to the latest version.

Wow. Not only did these guys from Google hide disabling updates somewhere, but they also have no command over the commands in msconfig.

When I take on something, I usually see it through to completion. I set out to find how to disable updates in Google Chrome and did it.

Here's a short tutorial. After disabling this way, everything works fine for me, nothing is updated.

1. Click “Customize and manage Google Chrome” at the top right of the browser (a square with three horizontal stripes). Click "Settings".

2. At the bottom there is a blue inscription in small print “Show advanced settings”. Let's press it.

3. We immediately see “Personal data” and a gray button with the inscription “Content settings”. Click on this button.

4. We get to the “Page Content Settings” window. Scroll down until your eye catches the small blue inscription “Disable individual modules”. Click.

5. We get to the “Plug-ins” page. The Google Update module will be visible at the bottom. This is what we are looking for. By default this feature is enabled. Click the blue “Disable” sign. After disconnecting, the module becomes inactive and turns gray.

The problem is solved.

Of course, many people, as they say, don’t care whether their browser is updated or not. But, still, it’s more pleasant when you manage the process yourself.

Software for the new Windows, read.

38 reviews so far...

Svetlana writes:

I like Google, it’s my main one, but I also didn’t know how to disable updates, thanks for the science.

admin Replied:
April 6th, 2015 at 18:45

@Svetlana, good browser. I had to switch to Mozilla for only one reason - constant flash player crashes.

Glory writes:

Didn't find m in version 42.0.2311.90?

admin Replied:
April 24th, 2015 at 18:53

@Slava, now I have the same version of Chrome and I also haven’t found how to disable updates. Looks like they did it without any interruptions. If I find how to turn it off, I'll write.

Slava Replied:
April 24th, 2015 at 07:11 pm

@admin, yes it should be somewhere, but where...

admin Replied:
April 24th, 2015 at 08:11 pm

@Slava, they are doing something strange. Quite recently it was possible to turn it off, but now it’s no longer possible. Most likely, they removed this option. Well, I'll try to find out how to turn it off.

Sergey writes:

Uv.Admin! I have version 22, I couldn’t find the google update plugin. Will Chrome update itself in this case? If yes, I need your advice. THANK YOU!

admin Replied:
June 6th, 2015 at 11:19 am

@Sergey, thank you. They removed the option to disable updates. It appears that the update is now automatic. You can’t set anything: neither update frequency nor shutdown.
There are ways to block the update, but this requires some special settings. applications or tinkering with Windows group policies, but I didn’t do that.

Alexander writes:

This hasn’t worked for a long time... We deny system access to the google update folder. and only then the updates will stop...

Sergey Replied:
June 28th, 2015 at 11:53 pm

@Alexander, I’m far from these problems, but explain how to deny system access to the google update folder. Thank you in advance.

Alexander Replied:
June 29th, 2015 at 1:09 am

@Sergey, We go along the path C:/Program Files (x86)/google chrome/ there is the Update folder (the body of the update virus lives there), the right key. mouse over it properties, security tab, point the arrow at the system (in the window), then change, check the box to disable, agree, confirm everything…. here is a link to the fortieth version (link removed automatically). After installation in c:\Users\account\AppData\google chrome, just copy this folder immediately after installation without logging into your chrome account), and wait for update to appear there, as chrome will update, deny access, and change everything there to the previously copied one Chrome\Application\ folder further to your taste... or download the portable one, it is not updated (you just need to get the shortcut) Works from any disk from the folder (the link is deleted automatically) put the Google Chrome Portable folder anywhere inside the program launch, or make a shortcut from the folder.

admin Replied:
June 29th, 2015 at 8:22 am

@Alexander, thank you. For some time now, I didn’t care about all these chrome updates, but I think the recipe is effective and will help those in need.

Alexander Replied:
June 29th, 2015 at 07:15 pm

@admin, With pleasure. Thanks for posting. I’m glad to help, everything definitely works... And I’m also very happy to help people in the fight against this serious enemy. Because they have already become insolent to the limit with their buggy updates, which they turned into a virus (very similar to agnt mail.ru), whoever got infected will understand how difficult it is to remove it. Good luck to you!

admin Replied:
June 30th, 2015 at 08:29 pm

@Alexander, these guys are scoundrels, and they are spreading viruses here. Thank you, your system for disabling updates will also come in handy.

Sergey Replied:
June 29th, 2015 at 9:50 am

Updates are intended to improve the performance of the program. Now the Yandex browser developers are working hard to ensure that each next version works even better.

For the convenience of users, they have implemented background updating. This feature was supposed to make their lives easier.

Is it really?

Basically, the developers have made life easier for users. Here is a list of features that have been introduced recently:

installing add-ons from Opera Addons;
video compression, which ensures comfortable playback even with slow Internet;
synchronization of open tabs;
smooth browser launch with a large number of open tabs;
reduced consumption of PC resources and so on.

But developers also make mistakes. For example, one version of Yandex Browser caused Windows to not work. The company quickly found the error and fixed it, but some users had to reinstall Windows to restore system functionality.

So, disabling background updates has both advantages and disadvantages. What more is up to you.

Step-by-step instruction

First of all, it is worth noting that it is impossible to completely disable background updating in this browser. Moreover, this is not recommended, because using the latest version of the browser guarantees the security of your personal data online.

Thus, disabling background updates will only help save traffic and reduce CPU load on low-power computers.

To do this, open the main menu (three horizontal lines in the upper right corner) and click “Settings”.

Scroll to the very end of the list and click on the “Show advanced settings” button. In the “System” section, uncheck the box next to “Update Yandex.Browser even if it is not running.”

Please note: the changes made do not affect automatic updates of installed extensions.

This will disable automatic browser updates in the background. However, every time you start it will automatically check for their presence. When a new version becomes available, you will see a corresponding notification.

Disabling mail

Perhaps some users, after reading this, will decide to abandon Yandex.Mail altogether. Or maybe you just want to sort through multiple inboxes. In this case, you can disable your mail on Yandex. Please note: such disabling (or rather, deleting) the mailbox will also affect all your data, including:

details of the created electronic wallet;
geographical maps with routes;
files uploaded to Yandex.Disk;
hosted videos.

To delete an email, log into your account and click on the gear.

Please note: the email cannot be restored after deletion, and you can register a new mailbox only after a month.

To disable updating in the background, you need to open additional settings and uncheck the box next to “Update the browser even if it is not running.”

It is recommended, if possible, to install new versions of Yandex.Browser yourself. You will receive notifications as they become available. Please note: it is not possible to completely disable checking for new versions.

To delete your mailbox, you need to open “All settings” - “Specify your data” - “Personal data” - “Delete account”. In this case, the information cannot be deleted. This procedure will also affect files located on Yandex.Disk and your other data.

There are several ways to disable auto-updates in Google Chrome. Before you use them, think about whether you really need it. After all, older versions of the browser are vulnerable and unsafe.

Should I disable auto-updates?

Only an updated browser can guarantee the high level of protection promised by the developers.

Google will not update to new versions

Method number 1: msconfig command to help

The first method is to disable Google Chrome update services in a special window. How to get to it?

1.In Start, enter the msconfig command in the search bar and press Enter. You can also press Win+R. The Run window will appear. Write the same word msconfig in the line.

2.Switch to “Services”. Check the box next to "Do not display Microsoft services" for faster searching.

3. Among all the points that are important to us: Google Update (gupdate) and Google Update (gupdatem).

4.Click on “Apply” and then on OK. In the next window, confirm to restart the PC.

Method number 2: deleting the update file

1.Right-click on the Google Chrome icon on your desktop. Select the second item “File location”.

2.Click on “Google” in the address bar of the folder.

3.Open the Update folder in Google.

4.GoogleUpdate will be a separate file. Call the context menu and click on the “Delete” item.

The folder can also be renamed, for example, to Update.old. Then you won't need to delete the file.

5.Restart the PC.

This method has one significant drawback: auto-update can only be returned by re-downloading the distribution and installing the program. Before this, it will need to be properly uninstalled.

Method number 3: through browser settings

1.In your browser settings, scroll to “Show advanced settings.” In the “Personal Data” section, click on the first button “Content Settings”.

2. A new “Plugins” window will open. Click on "Disable individual plugins..."

3.Find the Google Update element. Disable the feature.

Method #4: Local Group Policy Editor

A more complex method designed for computer-savvy people.

1.Upload the archive in ADMX format on the browser’s official resource in a block that in English looks like Obtaining the Administrative Template.

2.Unzip the GoogleUpdateAdmx folder and transfer its files to the folder at the following address: C:\Windows\PolicyDefinitions\

3.Open the policy editor: hold down Win+R and write gpedit.msc in the line.

4.Go to Chrome through the initial Computer Configuration folder on the left side of the window, where the branching system is located. To do this, go through Administrative Templates - Google - Google Update - Applications.

5.Double-click Allow installation and set it to “Disabled”.

6.Also open the second item Update Policy Override. Define the “Enabled” parameter for this element, and in the Policy section select “Updates disabled” Save changes.

Additionally, you can remove the GoogleUpdate task. To do this, launch the Windows Task Scheduler. The instructions have already been given above.

Getting rid of auto-refresh tabs

1.Enter chrome://flags/#automatic-tab-discarding.

2.In the drop-down menu, select “Disabled”.

3.Restart the browser.

Yandex.Browser continues to actively develop since the release of its first version. Users receive all new features, features and problem fixes along with a browser update. But if the user is satisfied with the current version and does not want to update to the new one, then it would be logical to disable the Yandex Browser update. How to do this and is it possible to disable it in principle?

Browser developers do not provide the ability to disable auto-updates. Moreover, they specifically enabled the browser to be forced to update even if you are not using it. This was done, according to them, “for security reasons.” On the one hand, this is, of course, correct. Along with new threats, vulnerabilities are patched and new methods of protection are added. However, if an experienced user wants to stay on the current version or does not want to update due to Internet traffic, then it would be more correct to provide the ability to remove the Yandex browser update.

However, this unpleasant feature can be bypassed for all those who want to stay on the current version of the browser. To do this, you will have to work a little with the files of the browser itself.

Step 1

Go to C:\Program Files (x86)\Yandex\YandexBrowser. There will probably be several folders with browser versions, each of which contains nothing but a file service_update.exe. We delete these folders.

Step 2

Open hidden files and folders if they are not already open. We pass along the way C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Local\Yandex\YandexBrowser\Application, where USERNAME is the name of your account.

In the list of files you will see a folder with the name of the current browser version. This is what I have, yours may be different:

We go into it, go down below and delete two files: service_update.exe And yupdate-exec.exe.

Even after deleting files, you can update to the new version. This can be done in the standard way. But if you still don’t want to update, then manually checking for updates is not recommended. Since the browser will be updated anyway.

This method of disabling updates is quite inconvenient, but effective. Moreover, all deleted files will come back as soon as you want.

Provides a set of browsers of different versions on different OS. We use several Xen Windows images with different sets of browsers, and launch copies of the required images.
Naturally, browser auto-updates should be disabled. If browsers start updating themselves, then:

1) we will not be able to guarantee users that their tests were run on the correct browser version
2) the launch of tests may be delayed due to browser updates
3) updating the browser uses resources (traffic and processor), which can also affect the speed of test execution

Of course, the set of browsers also includes Google Chrome. And disabling its auto-update may cause problems, even if you follow the official instructions. In this short post, I will talk about how to actually prevent Chrome from updating.
So, the instructions say:

To stop Google Chrome from updating automatically on Windows, stop Google Updates from making updates. To do this, use one of the methods below.
1) Use the Google Update ADM template as described in Google Update for Enterprises.
2) Set HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Update\UpdateDefault REG_SZ (string) to “0″.

reg ADD "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Update" /v UpdateDefault /t REG_SZ /d "0 " /f

and relaxed.

It turned out that it was too early, because after some time I discovered that Chrome continued to update itself just fine.
I double-checked the value in the registry - it was there. I also added it to HKEY_CURRENT_USER - it didn’t help.

14 comments

Stas, thanks for the note.

Please note that in the post I quote exactly from the page to which you provided the link. At the time of writing the article, a completely different, non-working parameter was indicated

I hope the bug report you sent worked.

Now you will need to carefully test the operation of this key and use it.

I managed to find a way to completely stop google chrome from auto
updating itself and you can still re-enable it to update when needed.
Just follow the steps below:

1. First, you need to find where the google chrome updater is located
(they keep on moving it every once in a while), you can either search
for it with windows search or you can right click on the google chrome
shortcut then hit “properties” and on the shortcut tab hit “Open file”
location” the “Update” folder usually is in the google folder just 2
folders back from the location of the google launcher where the
shortcut will bring you.

2. Make a backup/archive of the “Update” folder using winrar or any
similar application you prefer.

3. Delete the “Update” folder (I’m not sure if you need to close chrome
first, but to be sure just close any running google application first
including the updater from the task manager if you can.).

4. Open chrome, then hit on “The Generals” Button?? which is the former
“wrench” icon. and click on the “About Google Chrome” button from the
drop down to see this “Update failed (error: 3)” which will verify that
the updater is no longer working.

Then, in the case that you need to update chrome again just extract the
“Update” folder from step 2 in its proper location (so, make sure that
you note where that is before deleting the folder) and you will be able
to update google chrome again.

Sorry the english,
Goodluck..

Thanks, Ralph, for your method.

I should note that Google has changed documentation – the “UpdateDefault” parameter in registry is present instead of AutoUpdateCheckPeriodMinutes.
Later I will test if it works and update the post.

I checked new registry key from chrome documentation-

reg ADD “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Update” /v UpdateDefault /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

it seems that it works.

But in Russian version wrong registry parameter type is still used – REG_SZ instead of REG_DWORD, so post is still actual for Russian-speaking people.

Using the autoruns utility, remove 2 checkboxes from update

You can't get away with daws and services anymore. you need to delete the Update folder in the Google folder.