Comments for Is there any way to completely stop downloads and updates to my PC?

Comment from Teo Graca on 2011-11-27

2011-11-27T16:27:33Z

The only way for sure to keep auto updates from running is to disconnect the computer from the Internet. I have several apps running in this way on separate computers. I consider my Internet computers "sacrificial" computers, and generally have to do a complete reinstall on these computers at least once each year. Then I use "sneaker-net" to walk files from one computer to another.

It used to be that programs had to be running before the auto-updates run, but now software packages will infiltrate your operating services when run, update them to initiate an update, and run the update when the application is not running. Frustrating to say the least, eh!

What is needed is a 3rd party program that monitors and turns off ANY kind of Internet access - to or from your computer - when it isn't initiated by the user. It would also need to secure files on the local machine from being changed by automated programs. Also, it would be nice for the program to allow users to register these software "rights" violations on a website so everyone could see the problems associated with each program someone is considering buying.

Do we need laws to protect our privacy rights? Well, you can forget that. The law makers are not going to do anything for you, and most people don't understand the problem.

The problem is that many people don't see anti-virus programs as THE virus. They don't see anti-phishing and tool bars as THE phishing software. They don't see things the way they really are. Wake up! I haven't seen any software like this software I described because there would be no real demand for it, and I don't expect to see it anytime soon.

To make matters worse, Microsoft and MAC operating systems are doing more and more to abstract the files systems so new and existing users are less and less able to figure out and fix all these changes.

PS - I am using more and more SaaS services, which don't run on my computer. Google Docs works well. I love Lucid Charts too. In this way, if my computer dies, I still have my files and applications.

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Comment from andy on 2011-06-15

2011-06-16T00:11:46Z

goto Run
type Services.msc
find Windows updates
Right click, select properties
Select Disabled from the drop down menu
Restart

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A comment on: Is there any way to completely stop downloads and updates to my PC?

Tech Questions? Get Answers! - Ask Leo! ... by Leo Notenboom
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Comment from Johnny on 2010-04-26

2010-04-26T21:02:24Z

All you people just beat around the bush.If i don't want any more of microsofts crap on my puter i should be able to stop all
the uploads.Thinks for nothing.

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A comment on: Is there any way to completely stop downloads and updates to my PC?

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Comment from Macera on 2009-09-16

2009-09-16T17:13:01Z

try not allowing any exceptions with your firewall, worked for me

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A comment on: Is there any way to completely stop downloads and updates to my PC?

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Comment from B McCaffrey on 2009-01-24

2009-01-24T12:28:54Z

Is it possible to down load windowsxp repairs to my email and then upload to my pc as i have avirus on my pc and it wont let me access the Microsoft site.

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Comment from Sean on 2009-01-05

2009-01-05T09:36:47Z

To add to this question. How can I find out WHICH program is trying to update istelf? It is not a Windows update as I completed that update. Every time I start up my laptop there is a program running called "Update via Internet" (thats all it says in the task manager). When I look at the process that is running it just says UpdateUI. So it appears that one of my apps is trying to update the User Interface. I have been terminating the program because it just runs and runs and asd i pay per GB of download, I want to make sure I actually allow this to run ad-infinitem... I'd really like to know what this is and how big this download could be..

Anyone can help??
Thanks
Sean

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A comment on: Is there any way to completely stop downloads and updates to my PC?

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Comment from Soundwash on 2008-06-03

2008-06-04T04:16:13Z

You *could* try to use use System Restore, if its enabled, to go back right before installation of the errant program. -typically, (but not always) System Restore will make a snapshot of your system right before it install a new application.

it should be located in Accessories/System Tools.

Run it and click "restore my computer to an earlier time" -check the calendar an see if it made a restore point before it was installed..

NOTE: if you restore back to that point, you'll lose any major changes made to your system since then..

failing that... you could use
Filemon and/or Regmon from

http://sysinternals.com/

to track any and all changes to the registry
or file I/O operations the program makes..

Mark at sysinternals.com writed some outstanding free utilities no respectable pc geek should be without.. i highly suggest you download all utilities and lean them.. Especially Process Explorer. you'll be able to keep tabs on every aspect of your PC and more...

good luck,
-gregO

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Comment from fastfreddie1959 on 2008-06-03

2008-06-03T19:05:57Z

Yes....using your firewall is a good thing.
I personally use comodo firewall and it asks
first if i want to allow a program to install
on my computer.
If i deny then it is not allowed and will
not be downloaded.
Im not sure what other firewalls have this
feature but i like the one im using
and has done it's job.

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A comment on: Is there any way to completely stop downloads and updates to my PC?

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Comment from Minot Isok on 2008-06-01

2008-06-01T07:04:19Z

If there is no way to configure each individual program's update feature you might try configuring your firewall to not allow a specifc program to have that specific access to the internet. I have a few programs that I use but I set up my firewall to not let them update via the internet. You really need to know how to tweak your two-way software firewall in order for this to be succesful.

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A comment on: Is there any way to completely stop downloads and updates to my PC?

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