How To Disable Auto Update on Google Chrome [2026 Guide]

Keeping software up to date is generally recommended for security and performance reasons. However, there are times when you might want to control when updates occur, perhaps to avoid disruptions during a critical work period or simply to have more control over changes to your system.

This guide walks through the steps to disable Chrome's automatic updates on a Windows PC. I'll guide you through each step so you can follow along easily.

Disable Auto Update on Google Chrome [2026 Guide]

Before you start

Make sure that all Google Chrome browser windows are closed. This step is crucial because having Chrome open can interfere with the changes you're about to make.

Step-by-step on Windows

1. Close all Google Chrome windows.
   • This step is crucial because having Chrome open can interfere with the changes you're about to make.

2. Open File Explorer.

3. Navigate to one of these paths:
   • C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Update
   • C:\Program Files\Google\Update
   • The path may vary slightly depending on your system configuration and whether you're using a 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows.
   • To access this quickly, copy and paste either path into the File Explorer address bar and press Enter.

4. Inside the Update folder, locate the subfolder named Google Update.
   • This folder is responsible for checking and applying updates to your Google Chrome browser.

5. Delete the Google Update folder.
   • Right click on it and select Delete.
   • Make sure you only delete the Google Update folder, as deleting other files or folders might affect other applications.

6. Understand the effect of this change.
   • By removing this folder, you're disabling the component that manages Chrome's automatic updates.
   • This means that Google Chrome will no longer automatically update itself until the folder is restored.

Important notes and risks

• You'll need to manually check for and install updates if you want to ensure you're running the latest version of Chrome in the future.
• This method of disabling updates is not officially supported by Google.
• Always be cautious and consider the risks of not receiving automatic updates, especially when it comes to security vulnerabilities and features that improve your browsing experience.

Final Thoughts

There you have it, a quick and effective way to disable auto updates on Google Chrome. This gives you more control over when changes land on your system, but it also means taking responsibility for manual updates and staying on top of security fixes.