Chrome updates itself automatically for security and stability. Turning that off is possible, but it is usually meant for managed or testing environments, not everyday personal browsing. If you disable updates, plan a manual update routine so security patches are not missed for months.
Does this affect you?
Use this for Google Chrome on Windows or Mac when you need to control update timing because an update broke a workflow or you manage several computers. The Windows method uses Registry policy, and the Mac method controls Google updater background items.
Turn off auto-updates on Windows
This uses the same style of policy setting administrators use.
- Press the Windows key, type regedit, and open Registry Editor.
- Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesGoogleUpdate. Create missing Google or Update keys if necessary.
- Inside Update, create a DWORD (32-bit) value named UpdateDefault and set it to 0.
- Create another DWORD named Update{8A69D345-D564-463C-AFF1-A69D9E530F96} and set it to 0 for Chrome specifically.
- Close Registry Editor and restart the PC.
Stop auto-updates on Mac
Current Chrome versions often use a background updater item. Older installs used Keystone.
- Quit Chrome completely.
- Open System Settings > General > Login Items & Extensions.
- Under Allow in the Background, turn off Google or GoogleUpdater if present.
- If you do not see it on an older install, open Terminal and run launchctl unload ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.google.Keystone.Agent.plist.
- Optionally rename ~/Library/Google/GoogleSoftwareUpdate to GoogleSoftwareUpdate.disabled on older installs.
More control
Update manually
You can still update Chrome from the three-dot menu > Help > About Google Chrome. This is the safer compromise if you only want to control when updates happen.
Re-enable updates on Windows
Return to the same Registry path and delete the DWORD values you created, or set them to 1, then restart the PC.
Re-enable updates on Mac
Turn Google or GoogleUpdater back on in Login Items & Extensions. On older Keystone installs, load the LaunchAgent again and restore the GoogleSoftwareUpdate folder name if you changed it.
Do not stay unpatched
If your only goal is timing, check manually soon after delaying an update. Browser security fixes matter because Chrome is exposed to untrusted websites every day.
Sources
- Google Chrome Enterprise Help – Update Chrome browser (2025)
- Google Chrome Help – Update Google Chrome (2025)
- Google Chrome Enterprise Help – Chrome browser policy list (2025)