How to Completely Disable Google Chrome Update

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Easy ways to turn off automatic Chrome updates on your computer, phone, or tablet
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This wikiHow teaches you how to prevent Google Chrome from updating automatically on Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android platforms. There are several ways to prevent Google Chrome from updating on PC and Mac. However, these methods may not work in every situation. The only way to prevent Google Chrome from updating on mobile devices is to disable updates for all apps. Keep in mind that failing to update Google Chrome puts you and any other items on your network at risk for infections or cyber attacks.

Things You Should Know

  • Chrome updates usually contain crucial security patches. Disabling automatic updates puts your computer or phone at risk.
  • Google may still be able to push certain updates even if you disabled the automatic update service.
  • To stop getting Chrome updates on your phone or tablet, you'll need to disable all app updates for Android or iOS.
Method 1
Method 1 of 8:

Disable Update Services (Windows)

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  1. You'll need to restart your computer at the end of this method, so make sure that you save any work before proceeding.
  2. Click the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen. The Start menu will pop up.
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  3. Doing so searches your computer for the Run program.
  4. It's the speeding envelope at the top of the Start menu. Clicking it will open the Run window in the lower-left side of the screen.
    • In the future, you can open Run by pressing ⊞ Win + R .
  5. You'll do so in the Run text box. This command will open the Windows System Configuration window when run.
  6. It's at the bottom of the Run window. Doing so opens the System Configuration window.
  7. This is at the top of the System Configuration window.
  8. It's in the bottom-left corner of the window. Doing so will both cut down on the number of services listed here and prevent you from accidentally disabling an important Windows service.
  9. These are both by the "Google Inc." manufacturer, and should be next to each other.
    • You can sort by manufacturer by clicking the Manufacturer tab near the top of the window.
  10. Click the checked box to the left of each "Google Update Service" box to do so.
  11. It's at the bottom of the window. Doing so will disable both Google Update services.
  12. This is at the bottom of the window.
  13. Doing so will cause your computer to save your changes and restart, after which point Google Chrome should no longer automatically update.
  14. Google Chrome will attempt to automatically update. If Google Chrome is unable to update, an error message will appear. If it says it is up to date, try one of the other methods listed here.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 8:

Rename the Update Folder (Windows)

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  1. It's the icon that resembles a folder. By default, it can be found in the taskbar in the lower-left corner.
  2. This is often called "Local Drive" or "OS", but it usually has "(C:)" next to its name. It's typically found under "My Computer" or "This PC" or something similar in the menu bar to the left.
  3. It's in your root C: drive folder.
    • If you are using a 64-bit version of windows, click the "Program Files (x86)" folder instead.
  4. It's in the Program Files or Program Files (x86) folder in your root C: drive folder.
  5. This selects the update folder.
  6. This displays a pop-out menu to the right.
  7. This allows you to rename the file by clicking the current file name and typing something new.
  8. You can change the name of the folder to anything. For example, you can name it "NoUpdate". Press ↵ Enter to save the name change.
    • If you receive an alert that says the folder is being used by another program, press Ctrl + Alt + Delete and click "Task Manager". Click any program with the name "Google" in it and click End Task in the lower-right corner. Then try to change the folder name again.
  9. Google Chrome will attempt to automatically update. If Google Chrome is unable to update, an error message will appear. If it says it is up to date, try one of the other methods listed here.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 8:

Edit the Registry (Windows)

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  1. Click the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen. The Start menu will pop up.
  2. Doing so searches your computer for the Run program.
  3. It's the speeding envelope at the top of the Start menu. Clicking it will open the Run window in the lower-left side of the screen.
  4. This is the command to open the Registry Editor.
  5. It's at the bottom of the Run window. This opens the Registry Editor.
    • Warning: Editing files in the Registry Editor can cause permanent damage to your operating system or computer programs. Proceed with caution.
    • If you are asked if you want to allow the Registry Editor to make changes to your system, click Yes .
  6. It's near the top of the list of folders in the Registry Editor. This opens the folder.
  7. It's in the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE folder. This opens the folder.
  8. It's in the "Software" folder in the Registry Editor. This displays a pop-out menu to the right.
  9. This displays a submenu in the pop-out window.
  10. This creates a new key in the Registry Editor.
  11. This displays a pop-out menu to the right.
  12. It's in the pop-out menu that appears when you right-click a key it the Registry Editor.
  13. After you select "Rename", type "Google" next to the key to rename it.
  14. This displays a pop-out menu to the right.
  15. This creates a new key in the Google folder.
  16. After right-clicking the new key, select "Rename" in the pop-out menu and then rename the key to "Update".
  17. Click on the "Update" folder in the sidebar on the right to select it.
  18. Right-clicking the black space on the right, below the "Default" key displays a pop-up menu. Select "New" in the pop-up menu.
  19. This creates a new DWORD file in the Update folder.
  20. When you create a new DWORD in the Registry Editor, you can immediately type a new name for the file. Type "Updatedefault" to rename the file.
  21. This opens the "Edit" window.
  22. This sets the value data to "0", which tells Google not to update.
  23. This saves the DWORD.
  24. Google Chrome will attempt to automatically update. If Google Chrome is unable to update, an error message will appear. If it says it is up to date, try one of the other methods listed here.
    • If this doesn't work try adding an additional DWORD file in the Google Update folder in the Registry editor named "DWORD: AutoUpdateCheckPeriodMinutes" with a value data of "0", as well as a DWORD named "DWORD: DisableAutoUpdateChecksCheckboxValue" with a value data of "1". [1]
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Method 4
Method 4 of 8:

Rename the Update Folder (Mac)

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  1. It's a menu item at the top of your Mac's screen. A drop-down menu will appear.
    • If you don't see the Go menu item, click the desktop or open Finder to prompt it to appear.
  2. This key is in the lower-left side of your Mac's keyboard. Pressing it will cause the Library folder to appear in the Go drop-down menu.
  3. You should see it near the bottom of the Go drop-down menu. The Library folder will open.
  4. Scroll down until you find the folder labeled "Google", then double-click it.
  5. Click this folder, which is in the Google folder, to do so.
  6. It's a menu item in the upper-left corner of the screen. A drop-down menu will appear.
  7. This is in the File drop-down menu. Clicking it prompts the Info window to open.
  8. Select the folder's name at the top of the window, then type in a different name (e.g., NoUpdate ).
    • You may first have to click the lock-shaped icon in the bottom-left corner of the window and enter your user password.
  9. Doing so will rename the folder.
  10. Click the Apple menu
    Mac Apple
    , click Restart... , and click Restart Now when prompted. Once your Mac finishes restarting, Chrome should no longer update automatically.
  11. Google Chrome will attempt to automatically update. If Google Chrome is unable to update, an error message will appear. If it says it is up to date, try one of the other methods listed here.
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Method 5
Method 5 of 8:

Change the Auto Update URL (Mac)

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  1. It's the icon that resembles a blue and white smiley face. It's in the Dock at the bottom of the screen.
  2. It's in the sidebar to the right. This displays all applications installed on your Mac.
  3. This displays a pop-out menu to the right.
    • If you are using a Magic Mouse or a trackpad, you can double-click with two fingers or press Control while clicking "Google Chrome.app".
  4. This displays all the contents of the Google Chrome app.
  5. You can either double-click the file to open it in your default code editor, or right-click the file and select "Open With" and then select an app to open the file with.
  6. The key names are listed in alphabetical order on the left. The URL is listed on the right below "Value".
  7. To disable the URL, change the URL to anything you want.
  8. It's in the menu bar at the top of the screen.
  9. This saves the changes you made to the plist file.
  10. 10
    Type chrome://settings/help in your Google Chrome address bar. Google Chrome will attempt to automatically update. If Google Chrome is unable to update, an error message will appear. If it says it is up to date, try one of the other methods listed here.
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Method 6
Method 6 of 8:

Modify Update Interval (Mac)

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  1. It's the icon that resembles a magnifying glass in the upper-right corner.
  2. This displays a list of apps that match your search text.
  3. It's in the list of search results below the search bar. This opens the terminal.
  4. defaults write com.google.Keystone.Agent checkInterval 0 . This sets the Update interval to "0" so that Google Chrome stops checking for updates.
  5. Google Chrome will attempt to automatically update. If Google Chrome is unable to update, an error message will appear. If it says it is up to date, try one of the other methods listed here.
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Method 7
Method 7 of 8:

Disable App Updates (iPhone)

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  1. Tap the Settings app icon, which resembles a grey box with gears on it.
  2. This option is near the middle of the Settings page. Tapping it opens the App Store settings page.
  3. Doing so will cause it to turn grey
    iPhone Switch Off Icon
    . This disables automatic app updates, meaning that none of your apps—Google Chrome included—will automatically update from now on.
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Method 8
Method 8 of 8:

Disable App Updates (Android)

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  1. Tap the Google Play Store app icon, which resembles a multicolored triangle on a white background.
  2. It's in the top-left corner of the screen. A pop-out menu will appear.
  3. This option is in the middle of the pop-out menu. Doing so opens the Settings page.
    • On some Androids, you may need to scroll down to see Settings .
  4. It's near the top of the screen. This will prompt a pop-up menu to open.
  5. This option is at the top of the pop-up menu. Doing so disables automatic app updates, meaning that none of your apps—Google Chrome included—will automatically update from now on.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    I followed the process to disable. Worked great! The next time I restarted, it updated to new Chrome again. My settings all saved. How do I get this to stick?
    Community Answer
    Try renaming the update folder.
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    Not Helpful 7 Helpful 1
  • Question
    Will the Chrome platform change automatically even after disabling the Chrome updates?
    bertis alas
    Community Answer
    Yes. It also depends on the changes you are doing to the program/app. When you tell chrome to stop a process or eliminate a process, the system will automatically adjust to the settings established.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.webnots.com/7-ways-to-disable-automatic-chrome-update-in-windows-and-mac/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Press Windows key + R .
      2. Type "msconfig" and click OK .
      3. Click Services .
      4. Uncheck "Google update service (gupdate)."
      5. Uncheck "Google update service (gupdatem)."
      6. Click OK .
      7. Restart the PC.

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