How to Disable Auto Update in Chrome – Hey, have you ever been working on something important, and suddenly, Chrome decides to update? Well, I know how annoying that can be, so I totally get why you want to disable it. But thankfully, there are ways to stop Chrome from updating automatically, and I’ll guide you through each method step by step.
Why Disable Chrome Auto Update? (Good Reasons!)
- Since Chrome updates unexpectedly, it can mess up your workflow.
- Because updates consume bandwidth, they can be problematic on limited data plans.
- When updates roll out, they sometimes break extensions or software compatibility.
- Since updates affect system performance, older PCs may struggle to keep up.
Methods to Deactivate Auto Update in Chrome
1. Using System Configuration (msconfig) – Windows
- First, press
Win + R, so the Run dialog box appears. - Then, type
msconfigand press Enter so the System Configuration window opens. - After that, click on the Services tab, so all services appear.
- Now, locate these two services:
Google Update Service (gupdate)Google Update Service (gupdatem)
- Since these services control updates, unchecking them will deactivate updates.
- Finally, click Apply, then OK, and restart your PC so changes take effect.
2. Disabling Auto Update via Windows Services Manager
- Press
Win + R, then typeservices.msc, and press Enter so the Services window appears. - Scroll down, and since Google uses update services, locate:
- Google Update Service (gupdate)
- Google Update Service (gupdatem)
- Right-click each one, then choose Properties, so you can edit the settings.
- Now, under Startup Type, select
Disabledso Chrome no longer updates. - Click Apply, then OK, and restart your PC so the update services stay off.
3. Blocking Chrome Updates via Registry Editor (regedit)
- First, press
Win + R, then typeregedit, and press Enter, so the Registry Editor opens. - Now, navigate to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Update
- Since no update policy exists by default, create a new DWORD (32-bit) Value.
- Name it
AutoUpdateCheckPeriodMinutes, so it controls update frequency. - Set the value to
0, then click OK, so updates remain permanently disabled. - Finally, restart your PC, and Chrome will stop checking for updates.
4. Using Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc) [Windows Pro & Enterprise]
- Press
Win + R, then typegpedit.msc, and press Enter, so the Group Policy Editor opens. - Navigate to:
Computer Configuration→Administrative Templates→Google→Google Update
- Since policy settings control updates, locate Update Policy Override.
- Click it, then set it to Enabled, so you can change update behavior.
- Under Policy, select Updates Disabled, then click Apply, so Chrome stops updating.
- Finally, restart your PC, and updates will no longer install automatically.
5. Block Chrome Updates Using Windows Firewall
- Open Windows Defender Firewall, so you can control network access.
- Click Advanced Settings, then go to Outbound Rules, so you can block connections.
- Create a New Rule, then select Program, so you can choose the update service.
- Now, find
GoogleUpdate.exe, then set it to Block the connection, so updates stop. - Click Apply, then restart your PC, so Chrome can no longer connect to update servers.
6. Mac Users: Stop Chrome Auto Updates with Terminal
- Open Terminal, then type this command so updates get deactivate:
sudo defaults write com.google.Keystone.Agent checkInterval 0 - Press Enter, then restart your Mac, so the update settings take effect.
The Risks of Deactivation Chrome Updates
- Because security vulnerabilities exist, deactivation updates may expose your browser to threats.
- Since new features won’t install, you might miss out on useful improvements.
- Because websites evolve, older Chrome versions might struggle with modern features.
Alternative Solutions
- Since Chrome Enterprise offers better update control, it’s a good alternative.
- Because updates provide security patches, manually updating Chrome every few months helps.
- Since other browsers allow manual updates, switching to a Chromium-based alternative is an option.
Also Read: How to Take Screenshot in Dell Laptop Windows 10 Easily!
FAQs: How to Disable Auto Update in Chrome
1. Can I re-enable auto updates later?
Yes! If you undo the changes and restart your system, Chrome will start updating again.
2. Will deactivation updates break Chrome?
Not immediately! However, over time, some websites or extensions may stop working properly.
3. How can I manually update Chrome?
Just open Settings → About Chrome, then click Update, so Chrome gets the latest version.
4. Will this method work on all versions of Windows?
Yes! Whether you use Windows 10, Windows 11, or older versions like Windows 7, these methods will work.
5. What if I need updates for security but don’t want automatic ones?
Set updates to manual instead of deactivation them, so you stay secure while keeping control.
