How to disable Auto Update ?

[HR-Robi]

Hi guys,

I would like to know how to disable the Auto Update completely?
I 'm currently using version 0.27.1 in a company environment.

If you have PowerToys running on startup, it is checking for new versions and showing a Toast message (after about 1 hour run time) that there is a newer version available. Anyhow corporate users don't have the admin permissions to install it, we usually do it via Software distribution tools.

[Aaron-Junker]

You can turn it off in the PowerToys settings.

[HR-Robi]

Thanks for the answer.

Sorry, but I would need to do it not via GUI. Need a deployment, script-able way to do it.
Best would be to pass it during installation to the setup.

[htcfreek]

This issue is related to #2701 because at the moment it's only possible to disable automatic update. The new version notify can't be disabled.

[crutkas]

We currently in preview and want people on the latest version due to how quickly we iterate and trying to minimize fragmentation.

This would be something we could add in post stabilization but for now, not a scenario we will address in the near future. lets track in #2701

[HR-Robi]

Thanks for your answers.
I understand you approach to get quick forward with a tool in preview state and quick update cycles.

But anyway I would raise my hand for a request for disabling Update checks and notifications as we need it in enterprise environment

• first as users don't have admin rights to update
• second we are also using it in golden images for VDI, Windows Virtual Desktops and other platforms running on golden images and non persistent, pooled machines.

Hopefully we will see it soon. Please advice further if I could put in my voice/hand for raising that feature request.

Thank you!

[crutkas]

@HR-Robi, totally understand the scenario, Will be something we will revisit once we get to 'stable' https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/wiki/Roadmap#road-to-stabilization

[SwissFrank]

at the moment it's only possible to disable automatic update. The new version notify can't be disabled.

The constant update reminders are distracting me from my work. I've only installed the software to turn CapsLk into a control key, which used to be something I did one time when I bought a new PC, but now I swear half the time I spend administering my PC is installing new versions of PowerToys. This is not the way to help people.

[crutkas]

We try to reduce the amount we update but there is a delicate balance. Our goal is once a month. Depending issue, we create a hotfix. We'll be working on a few things in the near future to help improve our ability to update

[GuilhermeRossato]

We do not need to reduce the amount of updates and there is no balance being requested here.

We need a configuration to disable the update notification entirely.

Every time the notification shows up I feel like my attention has been robbed from me.

When I have time I will open PowerToys and the very first section there is "Version" preceded by a highlighted "Update is available" with a "Download and Install" button. I will not miss it unless I'm busy and if I am then I certainly do not want to update, that's what busy means: I'm occupied by something more important than this app.

I love the work you guys do and this is a good tool, allowing "power users" to disable the notification is just good user experience. You guys could launch a new version every 7 years and I would still want to be able to disable the update notification.

[SwissFrank]

Our goal is once a month.

The fact you're going into detail about what YOU want and not what the user base wants is telling. The user base wants to turn their caps lock into a control and never see the name of this utility again.

[caustik]

I believe you can disable the update notifications inside "Notifications & actions" Windows Settings, although can't confirm because I've already installed the latest update. Agree the user should be in control of annoying popups. I really don't care if there's an update to some obscure feature in power toys that I don't even use. It's annoying. Not everyone has this tool front and center in their life, many of us just wanted one feature and don't want recurring hassle. This shouldn't be controversial IMO.

[nstein-gpjoule]

You can turn it off in the PowerToys settings.

Where? Perhaps I'm blind, I can't find it.

[crutkas]

I believe Aaron meant downloading it automatically.

[nstein-gpjoule]

I believe Aaron meant downloading it automatically.

Ahh now I unterstand, there is no way to turn off the notifications only the auto download.

[gsimon75]

You can turn it off in the PowerToys settings.

Sorry, but I can only tell not to download it automatically, but it still checks for updates nevertheless and it's still nagging me with a toast that "A new update is available! Do you want to install it?"

No I don't. And I don't even want having to click this toast away every time. When I will feel like it, I will go to the settings and press that "Check for Updates" button manually, but until then I don't want updates. Thanks but "no thanks".

PowerToys is great, it's just like how I like it, I'm absolutely pleased with it and I feel no need to update it, nor to check for such updates.

It's not that annoying (yet) as to dump the DNS requests it uses for checking updates and block those names via /etc/hosts, but if the annoyance overcomes laziness, that'll be the next thing.

[0x09AF]

With many users migrating to winget this becomes more and more useless of a feature. I don't need the app to check for updates for me, I can run winget upgrade if I need to update

[cjwijtmans]

same, i run winget weekly to update. And the app sends me annoying notifications.

[NostraDavid]

Note that you can turn off notifications (that Toast popup) inside Windows for separate programs.

Just search for Notifications and actions settings and disable the notification for whichever application is bothering you.