Summary: 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.
Related:
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Ask Leo! - Are automatic updates a good thing?
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Ask Leo! - Internet Safety: How do I keep my computer safe on the internet?
Article C3401 - May 31, 2008
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.
Posted by: Minot Isok at June 1, 2008 12:04 AMYes....using your firewall is a good thing.
Posted by: fastfreddie1959 at June 3, 2008 12:05 PMI 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.
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,
Posted by: Soundwash at June 3, 2008 9:16 PM-gregO
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??
Posted by: Sean at January 5, 2009 1:36 AMThanks
Sean
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 AM