How to Stop Automatic Google Chrome Updates on Windows

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Google Chrome Updates are configured to run automatically on non-managed Windows devices. This guide provides step by step instructions to disable automatic updates of Google Chrome.

Most web browsers are configured to update automatically. This happens in the background. While that can be a good thing, especially for security, it can also slow down the start of the system. Some users may also want full control over the updating process.

Word of caution: It is generally a good idea to install updates, especially when they fix security issues. This guide is intended for advanced users.

A quick check of the Windows Task Manager after system start may reveal reveal an abundance of Google Updater processes.



The screenshot was captured on a system with two Chrome installations: Chrome Stable and Chrome Canary.

If Chrome is not your main browser, you may consider disabling automatic updates for a number of reasons.

You can check for updater.exe processes on your device in the following way:

1. Press Ctrl-Shift-Esc at the same time directly after system boot.
   
2. Switch to the details tab in the Task Manager Window.
   
3. Scroll down until you come to the letter "u".
   
4. Check for updater.exe processes there.
   

Note: some of the processes may be run under a user account, others under a system account.
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