Turn off Google Chrome auto-updates

Google Chrome has an auto-update feature. It allows the browser to always maintain the current version, and most importantly – a stable Internet connection to download new updates. But over time, the browser has changed, new features and design elements have been added, and not all changes have been to the liking of users. Some innovations turned out to be not very convenient or increased the consumption of resources. So people started looking for ways to turn off the Google Chrome update.

Why do you need to update Google Chrome

Browser updates always include various security updates that do not allow attackers to obtain the user's personal data.

In addition to constantly closed exploits, updates can include new features, interface improvements and much more, which facilitates the use of extensions, speeds up work with Google services or easy parameter adjustment.

To keep your computer safe when actively using the Internet, you will need not only a good antivirus. The developers recommend always updating to the latest version of the browser to minimize the chance of hacking. However, the next update may be buggy and lead to various errors. This is where you should learn how to disable auto-update to use only verified releases.

Google Chrome updates
Google Chrome updates

How to turn off automatic updating

It should be noted that the developers have not provided a normal "internal" way to disable updates with one click, so you will need to use other tools and services.

msconfig command

Windows has the ability to disable Google Chrome auto-update by deactivating the services responsible for updating it. When they are disabled, they no longer start at system startup and stop checking and downloading fresh updates. To use this method, you will need:

  • Press win+R.
  • Write msconfig to the string.
  • Go to the "Services" section.
  • Check the box next to "Do not display Microsoft services."
  • Find services that contain the words Google Update in the title.
  • Uncheck them.
  • Apply the changes.
  • Close the window.
Google Apps in msconfig
Google Apps in msconfig

Now it is necessary to check whether the manipulations worked. To do this, you need:

  • Log in to your browser.
  • Open the menu by clicking on the three dots in the corner.
  • Go to "Help" → "About Google Chrome browser".

If the update checker services are disabled, an error will be displayed in a small window. For example, the update indicator will rotate infinitely and to no avail. In this case, you do not have to do anything else – the browser will stop receiving new versions.

Delete the update file

If the method does not work, you can try to uninstall the Google Chrome update. A special file in the browser directory is responsible for this. The instruction is as follows:

  • Go through C: → Program Files (x86) → Google → Update.
  • Change the name of the folder, such as Updates or Updateold or Update1, so that the program cannot use this folder to place files.
  • Uninstall GoogleUpdate.exe (optional).

This will completely disable the update function, as the browser will not be able to detect the path along which new files were downloaded.

If you plan to delete files, it is recommended to make a backup copy of the folder so that you can quickly return the browser to working if necessary.

Browser settings

Previously, an opportunity was implemented that allows you to disable automatic updates by disabling plug-ins responsible for downloading updates. In the current versions of Chrome, there is no such option, so you need to use external tools.

Local Group Policy Editor

Enterprise Windows users have access to the Group Policy Editor. Those who have faced the need to disable updates in Windows 10, probably know what it is about. A properly set policy makes it easy to disable updates not only for the browser, but also for other programs if necessary.

In the case of Chrome, you'll need to do the following:

  • Download the policy template from the link – https://support.google.com/chrome/a/answer/6350036 and follow the instructions for its installation.
  • Open Computer Configuration (runs when you press Win+R and type msc).
  • Go the way of Google → Google Update → Applications → Google Chrome.
  • Go to the Edit Update Rules option.
  • Select "Updates disabled" in the "Updates" section.

Local Group Policy Editor
Local Group Policy
Editor

After that, when you go to the "About browser" section, the panel will display an inscription that it was disabled by the network administrator.

To turn off tab updates:

Auto-update could previously be turned off by switching the appropriate flags. In the current versions of Chrome, this is not possible.

The only option is to go to the chrome://discards/ page and make sure that the row of desired tabs will be marked with a cross in the Auto Discardable column.

The check mark and cross are switched by pressing the Toggle.

The existing Disable automatic tab discarding extension no longer works for most users and is not recommended.

How to manually update your browser

In general, Chrome is updated when you go to "About Google Chrome browser": three dots → "Help" → "About Google Chrome browser". But if you suddenly rename the Update folder (see the section "Deleting the update file"), then you will have to rename it back – without this, Chrome will not be updated.

If you uninstall GoogleUpdate.exe, you'll need to reinstall your browser. First you will need to remove it. You can do this with standard Windows tools (Add or Remove Programs) or special utilities like Uninstall Tool or CCleaner.

Then you need to download and install Chrome again:

  • Follow the link — https://www.google.com/intl/ru_ru/chrome/.
  • Click on the "Download Chrome" button.
  • Close the browser after the download is complete.
  • Open the downloaded installer.
  • Follow the installer's instructions.

Google Chrome download page
Google Chrome
download page

After that, you can continue to use the browser, while simultaneously studying its new functions.

Mike Lombardi/ author of the article

QA Engineer, Head of Automated Software Testing Department. Knowledge of Java, C/C++, JSP, HTML, XML, JavaScript, SQL, and Oracle PL/SQL. Journalist and Columnist in the IT field. Website Creator and Administrator.

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