Google Chrome, heralded for its speed and user-friendly interface, is a browser that many of us have come to rely upon daily. Integral to its efficiency is its ability to regularly update itself, ensuring users benefit from the latest features, security patches, and performance enhancements. However, there are moments when these automatic updates, though well-intentioned, might not align with a user’s immediate needs or preferences. It could be due to compatibility concerns, bandwidth limitations, or simply wanting to have a say over when changes take place. Fortunately, for those navigating Windows 11/10, there are mechanisms to disable these automatic updates for Chrome. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to take back control of your Chrome update schedule, ensuring a browsing experience that conforms to your unique requirements.
You can check for the update of Google’s Chrome browser by navigating to the following:-
Settings Gear Icon > Help > About Google Chrome
You can also check for updates in the Chrome browser by running the command “chrome://settings/help.” To run the command in the Chrome browser, open a new tab in Chrome, paste the “chrome://settings/help” (without quotes), and press Enter from the keyboard. It will immediately check for Chrome’s latest version.
You can disable this feature if you do not want to update the Chrome browser automatically.
How to Disable Google Chrome Automatic Updates on Windows PC?
There are three methods to disable Chrome Automatic Updates on Windows PC.
Disable from Windows Service Manager
Step 1. Open the Run command box (press Windows + R keys) and type services.msc.
Step 2. Press Enter from the keyboard to open Services.
Step 3. Once the Services window is opened, scroll down the list to see Google Update Service (gupdate) and Google Update Service (gupdatem).
Step 4. Double-click on Google Update Service (gupdate) to open its properties. From the drop-down of Startup Type, select Disabled. Click Apply and then the OK button to disable this service.
Step 5. Again, double-click on Google Update Service (gupdatem) to open its properties. From the drop-down of Startup Type, select Disabled. Click Apply and then the OK button to disable this service.
After that, the Google Chrome browser will not automatically be updated on your computer.
Disable by Renaming Google Chrome Update File
You can also stop Chrome updates by renaming the file responsible for automatic updates. Here are the steps to follow:-
Step 1. On Windows 11/10, go to the Chrome update path “C:\Program Files\Google\Update” or “C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Update.”
Step 2. Rename the “GoogleUpdate” application file to something like “GoogleUpdate1”.
Now, when you try to update Google Chrome manually, you will see an error like the below image:-
Disable from Windows System Configuration
Step 1. Open the Run command box (press Windows + R) and type MSConfig.
Step 2. Hit Enter from the keyboard to launch System Configuration Utility.
Step 3. Select the Services tab on the system configuration window.
Step 4. At the bottom of the window, uncheck “Hide all Microsoft services.” Now, from the list of services, uncheck “Google Update (gupdate)” and “Google Update (gupdatem).”
Step 5. Click Apply, then the OK button to save the changes.
Step 6. Now, restart your PC to stop Chrome’s automatic updates.
The three methods for disabling automatic Chrome updates are outlined in the steps above. The most effective way to halt an automatic Chrome update is by renaming the file. This approach is also easy to remember. When you wish to reactivate the automatic update, simply rename the file back to “GoogleUpdate.”
That’s it.
Conclusion
Staying updated is often crucial for security and performance, but there are legitimate reasons to delay or halt automatic updates—especially when it comes to ensuring compatibility with specific tools or workflows. Thankfully, Windows 11/10 offers multiple avenues for users to manage Google Chrome’s automatic updates. Whether you’re seeking a temporary hold on updates or a more permanent solution, the methods outlined here provide the autonomy to decide when and how your browser updates. It’s always essential, however, to periodically review your update settings and make necessary adjustments to ensure that you’re benefitting from important security patches and new features. In the evolving digital landscape, staying informed and making conscious choices is key to an optimal browsing experience.
