How can I easily turn off automatic updates on my device?

Sure, keeping your computer or phone updated is great, but there are times you just need to stop those automatic updates—like when you’re in the middle of something important and don’t want any interruptions. So, if you’re keen on doing this, here’s the lowdown on turning off those pesky auto-updates for Google Chrome and other Google apps across different devices.

Alright, starting with Windows, you’ve got plenty of options:

First up, if you’re comfortable digging around settings, you can use the Group Policy Editor. It’s like pulling off a tech heist in those movies but way less dramatic. Hit the Windows key + R, type in “gpedit.msc,” and press Enter. Just follow the trail: “Computer Configuration” > “Administrative Templates” > “Google” > “Google Chrome.” Double-click “Update policy override,” hit “Enabled,” and choose “Updates disabled.” Boom, you’re done.

Another route is shuffling through the Registry. It’s as exciting as it sounds! Launch the Registry Editor by pressing Windows key + R and typing “regedit.” Go on a little hunt to “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Update.” Create new keys if needed, then add a new DWORD (32-bit) Value named “UpdateDefault” with a value of “0.” A quick restart seals the deal.

Or, simply rename the update folder. Find it in “C:\Program Files (x86)\Google,” right-click on the “Update” folder, and rename it to whatever tickles your fancy—maybe “No Updates.” If any programs try to stop you? Open Task Manager and end related processes like “Google Chrome.”

Now, if you’d rather not bother with folders, you can disable Google’s update services. Go ahead and open “Run,” type “msconfig,” and tap Enter. Under the “Services” tab, hide all Microsoft services, spot “Google Update Service” entries, and untick those checkboxes. Another restart and you’re golden!

For folks using Mac:

Renaming the update folder here is a bit similar. Click “Go” in the menu, open the “Library,” browse to “Google,” and find “GoogleSoftwareUpdate.” Right-click, select “Get Info,” and rename. You might need to click the lock icon and enter your password to make it official. Then restart, and you’re sorted.

Or, give the com.google.Keystone.plist file a bit of an edit. Open it with your favorite XML editor, under “updatePolicies,” add the “UpdateDefault” entry for Chrome and set its value to 2. It’s like adding some secret code—no more auto-updates!

Switching gears to your Android device:

Open the Google Play Store app, tap your profile picture (selfies are cool, right?), pop into “Settings,” choose “Network preferences,” then “Auto-update apps,” and hit “Don’t auto-update apps.” This stops updates for all apps, not just Chrome.

And for the iPhone crew:

Head into “Settings,” tap “App Store,” and toggle off “App Updates.” Simple, easy, done.

But hey, before flipping that switch entirely, consider the downsides:

Shutting down auto-updates can make your device feel like it’s living under a rock. Security vulnerabilities? Yep, those are real. New updates usually patch these holes. And compatibility with websites or plugins might get whacked. Plus, you’ll miss out on any cool, new features Google rolls out.

Personally, I’d suggest if you are turning off automatic updates, maybe schedule manual checks now and then. Just open Chrome, click the three-dot menu, select “Help,” and then “About Google Chrome.” It’ll check for updates if you’re ever undecided later.

There it is—a bit of insider knowledge on keeping control over your updates without too much hassle. Cheers!

So, you’re looking to put a lid on those automatic updates on your Windows computer? Here are a few ways to get it done, depending on whether you’re using Windows 10 or Windows 11. Let’s dive right in!

Stopping Automatic Updates with Windows Services

1. Crack open the Run dialog: Hit the Windows key + R on your keyboard.
2. Type in your destination: Punch in services.msc and hit Enter to pop open the Services window.
3. Find Windows Update: Scroll until you spot “Windows Update.”
4. Fix those Properties:
   • Right-click on it, select “Properties.”
   • Under “Startup type,” take it down a notch by picking “Disabled.”
5. Seal the deal: Click “Apply” and then “OK.” You’re all set!

Until you manually fire this service back up, Windows is basically on a break from updates.

Group Policy Editor Magic for Pro & Enterprise Versions

1. Call up the Run dialog: Press Windows key + R.
2. Summon Group Policy Editor: Type gpedit.msc and give it a go with Enter.
3. Get to the Update Settings:
   • Navigate through Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update.
4. Hit the brakes on Automatic Updates:
   • Double-click on “Configure Automatic Updates,” select “Disabled.”
5. Wrap it up: Click “Apply” and “OK,” and you’re done.

This one’s the heavyweight champ for the Pro or Enterprise crowd, letting you call the shots on update settings.

Tinkering with the Registry Editor

1. Kick off the Run dialog: Smack that Windows key + R combo.
2. Launch Registry Editor: Enter regedit and hit Enter.
3. Navigate through the maze:
   • Head over to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU.
4. Create or tweak that DWORD Value:
   • If you don’t spot the keys, make them by right-clicking on “Windows,” go for New > Key, name it “WindowsUpdate,” then add another key called “AU.”
   • Under AU, right-click in the right pane, choose New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, name it NoAutoUpdate, and plant its value at 1.
5. Close up shop: When you’re done tinkering, exit the Registry Editor.

Here’s the caution flag: messing with the registry can be a bit dicey, so back up your registry before diving in.

Setting a Metered Connection

1. Pop open Settings: Tap Windows key + I.
2. Head over to Network & Internet:
   • Choose Wi-Fi or Ethernet—whichever road you’re taking.
3. Mark it as Metered:
   • Click on your hooked-up network and flick the switch on “Set as metered connection.”

Going metered means updates aren’t automatically downloaded, but they aren’t totally off the table either.

Taking a Breather from Updates

Need to hit pause for a bit? Here’s what you do:

1. Open up Settings: Smash that Windows key + I.
2. Find your way to Update & Security:
   • Click on “Windows Update.”
3. Hold off on Updates:
   • Check out the “Pause updates for 7 days” option. Click it for temporary relief, up to five weeks if needed!

Wonderful if you just need a quick timeout from updates without shutting them down for good.

Those are your options to keep automatic updates in check on your Windows system. Handle with care and good luck!

Disabling automatic updates can be a bit tricky, but totally doable with a few simple steps! I get it—sometimes those updates come at the worst times, or maybe you’ve got a setup that works and you don’t want sudden changes messing it up. Here’s how you can take control over those updates across different systems:

Windows

Settings (Home Editions):

• Open up the Settings app (hit Win + I), then dive into Windows Update.
• Hit ‘Pause updates’ to give yourself a break from them for a while.
• Want to shut them off permanently? Go to Advanced Options and turn off Automatically download updates.

Services:

• Press Win + R, type in services.msc and hit Enter.
• Find Windows Update, double-click it, set Startup type to Disabled, and you’re sorted.

Group Policy (Pro/Enterprise):

• Tap Run, type gpedit.msc, and hit Enter.
• Head to Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Windows Update.
• Double-click Configure Automatic Updates, choose Disabled, and that’s that.

macOS

System Preferences:

• Pull down the Apple Menu, hop into System Preferences, and click on Software Update.
• Uncheck ‘Automatically keep my Mac up to date’. Easy peasy, right?

Terminal Command (for Advanced Users):

• Fire up your Terminal and use the command sudo softwareupdate --schedule off. This one’s for the tech-savvy, but it works like a charm.

App Store Updates:

• Open the App Store, go to Preferences, and uncheck ‘Automatically check for updates’.

Android

You know how updates can chow down on storage and you like your apps the way they are?

OS Updates:

• Navigate to Settings -> System -> Advanced -> System Update.
• You’ll have to fiddle around depending on your phone make, but generally, disable ‘Auto-download over Wi-Fi’.

Google Play Store:

• Dive into Play Store -> Profile -> Settings -> Network Preferences.
• Pick Auto-update apps and then ‘Don’t auto-update apps’ to keep things like you like.

For a specific app? Just search for it in Play Store, tap those three dots, and make sure Enable auto-update isn’t checked.

iOS/iPadOS

Now, Apple doesn’t make it easy to turn off updates completely, but here’s a workaround:

• Head over to Settings -> General -> Software Update -> Automatic Updates.
• Slide off Download iOS Updates and Install iOS Updates.

Got annoying notifications? Use Screen Time restrictions with a passcode to block update installations.

A Few More Tips

• Third-party apps like Google Chrome or Microsoft Office have their own settings for updates. Look around in the settings menus—I promise they’re there!
• Be careful—disabling updates can have consequences. Security vulnerabilities and missing out on new features are real downsides. But hey, you can always schedule updates during your downtime. Or use metered connections if you’re worried about data.

If after all this, your updates still won’t chill out, double-check for any rogue settings or conflicting policies, especially if you’re using a work device. Backing up critical stuff is always a smart move before tinkering.

Hope this helps you wrestle those updates under control—keeping your system just how you want it!

Windows 10/11: Let’s dive right in!

Using Services: Here’s what you do:

• Hit Win + R, type services.msc, and smash that Enter button.
• Scroll down like a pro till you spot “Windows Update” and double-click it.
• Find the “Startup type” dropdown and set it to “Disabled”.
• Hit “Stop” if it’s already running, then slap “Apply” and “OK”.

Using Group Policy Editor (for Windows Pro/Enterprise users):

• Hit Win + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.
• Follow the path: Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Windows Update.
• Bump into “Configure Automatic Updates,” double-click it, and pick “Disabled”.
• Then, click “Apply” and “OK”. Simple as that!

iPhone/iPad: Shall we tackle this?

Disabling Auto-Updates for Apps:

• Head to Settings > App Store.
• Under “Automatic Downloads,” flick off “App Updates”.

Disabling iOS Updates:

• Hop over to Settings > General > Software Update.
• Tweak “Automatic Updates” and turn off “Download iOS Updates”. Easy peasy!

Android: Let’s get cracking!

Google Play Store Settings:

• Fire up the Google Play Store app.
• Tap the Menu icon (those three lines) > Settings.
• Hit “Auto-update apps” and opt for “Don’t auto-update apps”.

System Updates: Just a few more steps:

• Go to Settings.
• Tap Software update or System updates.
• Flip the switch on “Download updates automatically” or anything similar.

macOS: We’re almost there!

Stopping Automatic macOS Updates:

• Open System Preferences > Software Update.
• Click “Advanced.”
• Uncheck those boxes next to “Check for updates”, “Download new updates when available”, and any other pesky options.

Doing these things should let you take charge of updates on all your gadgets. Honestly, it’s great to have control over this stuff, but make sure to peek at updates now and then to keep everything secure. And if you need more help, the official support from your device’s manufacturer might come in handy!