Many apps release updates with the latest security patches to their users. So is Google Chrome. If you are using Chrome on a Windows system, you may have noticed some frequent changes in design or settings. This is because it silently downloads and installs the latest updates automatically in the background. And most of them increase the security of your browser and have no such drawbacks. Given that Chrome doesn’t give you the option to disable auto-update in any way, you’ll have to use other ways to do it. If you’re wondering what these are, Here’s how you can disable Chrome auto-update in Windows 10:
note: I tried the following methods on my Windows 10 computer and they worked without any problems. Having said that, these methods are available for Windows 8.1, 8, 7, etc. It should work fine on older Windows versions.
Turn Off Chrome Automatic Updates Using Local Group Policy Editor
This method includes: Download the Google Update (auto update) template in ADM form Chrome Projects. You can also download directly by clicking. here. This template will be used to disable Chrome auto-update on your computer using the Local Group Policy Editor. Here are the steps for that:
note: Local Group Policy Editor is not available in every version of Windows. If you don’t have it on your system, this method won’t work.
- open run command by pressing the Windows + R keys on your keyboard. Here, Type “gpedit.msc” and press enter. This will open the Local Group Policy Editor.
- In this window, Under “Computer Configuration”, Right click on “Administrative Templates”and Select the “Add/Remove Templates…” option..
- In the window below, Click on “Add…”.
- You will now be prompted to find a Policy Template. Go to the Google Update template Download from the link above and choose it. That should add it to the list. Click “Close” to continue.
- From the left pane of the Local Group Policy Editor, go to the path below:
Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Classic Administrative Templates (ADM)\Google\Google Update\Applications\Google Chrome
- Double click here “Update Policy Override”.
- You will now be redirected to the configuration page. First, enable the service from: Clicking on the “Enabled” radio button. Now Choose the option that suits you best from the “Policy” drop-down menu. To completely disable all updates (both automatic and manual) “Updates are disabled”. Descriptions of each of these options are available in the “Help” section of the same window. Click “OK” when you choose an option.
Now the next time you restart your computer, the Google Update service will be disabled. To reset to original setting, Select “Always allow updates (recommended)” From the Policy drop-down menu.
Disable Chrome Updates Using System Configuration
This method involves disabling the service that Google Chrome uses to check for updates in the first place. Once disabled, Chrome will not update automatically unless you re-enable the service. So, without wasting any more time, here are the steps of this method:
- open run command by pressing the Windows + R keys on your keyboard. Here, type “msconfig” and press enter. This will open the System Configuration window.
- In this window, navigate to: “Services” tab and Click on “Manufacturer” to sort them accordingly. Now scroll down to you Find the manufacturer named “Google” and “Google Inc” and uncheck three services – “Google Updater Service”, “Google Update Service (gupdate)” and “Google Update Service (gupdatem)”. Finally, Click “OK” to save changes
- You will now see a window asking you to reboot. Click “Restart”.
When your computer restarts, the Google Chrome update service should be stopped and therefore no further updates will be installed automatically. If you want to turn Chrome auto-update back on, simply check the boxes for the same three services and then click “OK”.
SEE ALSO: How to Disable Chrome Automatic Updates on Mac
Disable Chrome Auto-Update in Windows 10
While Chrome auto-update is a good thing, some people want to take full control of their system and manage when each update is installed. If you are one of these people, the two methods we mentioned above may work for you. So, have you tried the ways to disable Chrome updates on Windows 10? Let me know in the comments section below.
