Helping people with computers... one answer at a time.
It might or might not be possible to stop programs from automatically updating themselves. Most of the time, though, you don't want to interfere.
Is there ANY way to completely stop downloads/updates to my PC? I bought some software. I got it just how I wanted it and all of a sudden, the settings are all changed. No notice, nothing. Microsoft isn't the only one doing this without notification. The updates aren't a virus so my antivirus software ignored. The updates weren't in my registry so I don't know how to get my program back to what it was BEFORE the company made it's download. I uninstalled it but it keeps changing. I don't know where they keep making the changes.
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Short answer: no.
Medium answer: it depends.
Long answer: you really don't want to stop all updates. Honest.
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I say that the short answer is "no" simply because short of disconnecting from the internet, there's no one way to do so.
That's why the medium answer is "it depends" - each program that supports this type of updating feature does so in its own way and by its own rules.
So in your case, you would have to research the options given to you by the particular program you're having problems with. If they don't offer a way to turn off automatic updates, then ... well, then there's no way to turn off automatic updates. If that's causing you problems, then I would strongly recommend contacting the people who created that software and letting them know exactly how, and why it's a problem.
Windows is a good example. While Windows does sometimes get annoying about its automatic update feature, the bottom line is that you can turn it off. Completely.
And, I agree with you that that should be an option in any software that has this functionality. There are times when it's the right thing to do.
But not for most folks.
Which is why I say you don't really want to stop all updates.
I don't know what's being updated for the program you mention, or why. I also don't know how it's impacting your use of the program. On the surface it sounds like a very poorly designed update feature.
But the fundamental reason for most automatic updates is to fix bugs, and more importantly these days, fix bugs that manifest as security vulnerabilities. That's why Windows Update is so darned important - once a vulnerability has been discovered, hackers are all over it trying to find machines that haven't been updated yet. The faster and more regularly you keep your machine up to date, the less you're exposed to potential threats. It's not always Windows, just this week a vulnerability in the Adobe Flash player was publicized, and updates required.
So I would not recommend turning off all updates in response to your situation. You're simply placing yourself at greater risk of a different problem.
What I would do, as I said, is pursue the options with the particular software you're having difficulty with.
Article C3401 - May 31, 2008
Leo A. Notenboom has been playing with computers since he
was required to take a programming class in 1976. An 18 year career as a programmer at Microsoft soon followed.
After "retiring" in 2001, Leo started Ask Leo! in 2003 as a place for answers
to common computer and technical questions. More about Leo.
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.
Posted by: B McCaffrey at January 24, 2009 4:28 AMtry not allowing any exceptions with your firewall, worked for me
Posted by: Macera at September 16, 2009 10:13 AMAll 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
Posted by: Johnny at April 26, 2010 2:02 PMthe uploads.Thinks for nothing.
goto Run
Posted by: andy at June 15, 2011 5:11 PMtype Services.msc
find Windows updates
Right click, select properties
Select Disabled from the drop down menu
Restart
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.
Posted by: Teo Graca at November 27, 2011 8:27 AM