Store - Enable or Disable Automatic Download of Updates in Windows 8

How to Enable or Disable Automatic Download of App Updates in Store in Windows 8 and 8.1​

   Information

This will show you how to enable or disable the automatic download of App updates from the Windows Store only your apps or all users' apps in Windows 8.

Users will still be able to manually check for, download, and install any modern app updates.

OPTION ONE

Turn On or Off Automatic Download of App Updates for Your Account

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1. Click/tap on the Store app to open it. (see screenshot below)​

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2. Open the Charms bar, and click/tap on the Settings charm.​

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3. In the Settings charm bar, click/tap on App updates. (see screenshot below)​

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4. Do step 5 or 6 below for what you would like to do.​

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5. To Turn On Automatic Download of App Updates for Your Apps​

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A) Move the slider to the right to say Yes, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below step 7)​

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6. To Turn Off Automatic Download of App Updates for Your Apps​

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A) Move the slider to the left to say No, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below step 7)​

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7. When finished, you can click/tap on the arrow at the top left corner to return to the Store. (see screenshot below)​

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OPTION TWO

Enable or Disable Automatic Download of App Updates using a REG File

   Note

You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to do this option.

The .reg files below are for the registry key and value below.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsStore\WindowsUpdate

AutoDownload DWORD

2 = Turn off automatically update user apps

4 = Turn on automatically update user apps

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\WindowsStore

AutoDownload DWORD

0 or (delete) = Default. Users can set in Store.

2 = Always off automatic download of app updates (Windows 8) OR Always off automatic download and install of app updates (Windows 8.1)

3 = Always on automatic download of app updates (Windows 8 and 8.1)

4 = Always on automatic download and install of app updates (Windows 8.1)

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1. Do step 2, 3, 4, or 5 below for what you would like to do.​

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2. Turn On Automatically Update User Apps​

NOTE: This is the default setting, and is the same as step 5 in Option One for all users. Users will be able to turn on and off automatically update my apps in the Store for their account.​

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A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 8 below.​

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Turn_On_Automatically_update_my_apps.reg​

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3. Turn Off Automatically Update User Apps​

NOTE: This is the default setting, and is the same as step 6 in Option One for all users. Users will be able to turn on and off automatically update my apps in the Store for their account.​

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A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 8 below.​

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Turn_Off_Automatically_update_my_apps.reg​

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4. Default Automatic Download of App Updates for All Users​

NOTE: This is the default setting. Users will be able to turn on and off automatically update my apps in the Store for their account.​

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A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 8 below.​

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Default_Automatic_Download_of_Store_Updates.reg​

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5. Always Off Automatic Download and Install of App Updates for All Users​

NOTE: Windows 8.1 and Windows RT 8.1 will download and install. Windows 8 and Windows RT will only download. This will override steps 2 and 3.​

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A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 8 below.​

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Always_Off_Automatic_Download_Install_of_Store_Updates.reg​

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6. Always On Automatic Download of App Updates for All Users​

NOTE: This will override steps 2 and 3.​

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A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 8 below.​

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Always_On_Automatic_Download_of_Store_Updates.reg​

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7. Always On Automatic Download and Install of App Updates for All Users​

NOTE: This step is only available for Windows 8.1 and Windows RT 8.1. This will override steps 2 and 3.​

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A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 8 below.​

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Always_On_Automatic_Download_Install_of_Store_Updates.reg​

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8. Save the .reg file to your desktop.​

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9. Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to Merge it.​

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10. If prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.​

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11. Sign out and sign in, or restart the PC to apply.​

NOTE: Step 2 and 3 doesn't need to do this step.​

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12. When done, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.​

OPTION THREE

Enable or Disable Automatic Download of App Updates in Group Policy

NOTE: This option for using group policy is only available in the Windows 8/8.1 Pro and Windows 8/8.1 Enterprise editions. You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to do this option.

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1. From the Start screen, start typing gpedit.msc, and press Enter when finished.​

NOTE: You could also press Windows+R to open the Run dialog, type gpedit.msc, and click/tap on OK.​

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2. If prompted by UAC, then click/tap on Yes.​

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3. In the left pane, click/tap on to expand Computer Configuration, Administrative Templates, Windows Components, and open Store. (see screenshot below)​

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4. Do step 5 or 6 below for what Windows 8 you have.​

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5. If you have Windows 8 or Windows RT​

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A) In the right pane of Store, double click/tap on Turn off Automatic Download of updates to edit it. (see screenshot below)​

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B) Do step B1, B2, or B3 below for what you would like to do.​

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B1) Default Automatic Download of App Updates for All Users​

NOTE: This is the default setting. Users will be able to turn on and off automatically update my apps in the Store for their account.​

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A) Select (dot) Not Configured, click/tap on OK, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below step B3)​

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B2) Always Off Automatic Download of App Updates for All Users​

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A) Select (dot) Enabled, click/tap on OK, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below step B3)​

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B3) Always On Automatic Download of App Updates for All Users​

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A) Select (dot) Disabled, click/tap on OK, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below step B3)​

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6. If you have Windows 8.1 or Windows RT 8.1​

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A) In the right pane of Store, double click/tap on Turn off Automatic Download and Install of updates to edit it. (see screenshot above)​

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B) Do step B1, B2, or B3 below for what you would like to do.​

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B1) Default Automatic Download and Install of App Updates for All Users​

NOTE: This is the default setting. Users will be able to turn on and off automatically update my apps in the Store for their account.​

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A) Select (dot) Not Configured, click/tap on OK, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below step B3)​

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B2) Always Off Automatic Download and Install of App Updates for All Users​

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A) Select (dot) Enabled, click/tap on OK, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below step B3)​

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B3) Always On Automatic Download and Install of App Updates for All Users​

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A) Select (dot) Disabled, click/tap on OK, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below step B3)​

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7. You can now close the Local Group Policy Editor window if you like.​

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That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

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• How to Install Apps in the Store in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Uninstall Modern Apps in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Update Modern Apps in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Turn Automatic Updating On or Off in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Enable or Disable Store in Windows 8 and 8.1
• Troubleshoot and Fix Store App Issues in Windows 8 with "Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter"
• How to Enable or Disable the Store Offer to Update to Windows 8.1
• How to Create a "Check for Updates" in Store Shortcut in Windows 8 and 8.1

 

[soubeagi]

It's worth noting that the "App updates" screen is essentially blank for anyone who chooses not to create a Microsoft account.

This leaves the registry tweak as the only way to configure updates for the preinstalled apps. (Policy Editor doesn't count, because the people who need a simple way to edit policies are generally the exact class of users that don't get Policy Editor on their systems.) Why Microsoft chose to limit easy configuration of this to only those users who are willing to let Microsoft control all of their computing lives is - well, typical.

Also, it's not clear by these instructions - do I have to remember to manually look for updates after disabling this? Does disabling this disable notification that updates are available, or just disable auto-install?

 

[5ggggg]

I am upgrading from 8.0pro to 8.1pro. My account was never connected to MS. My AutoDownload setting is 3 ?
- what does 3 mean ?
- do I have to change the setting ?

 

[Brink]

Hello 5ggggg,

The value of 3 means that you have this group policy set to Disabled. It will be the same as having it set to Not Configured.

 

[5ggggg]

Brink THX,
- so I should set it to 2 right ?
- but would it be good enough to just have no connected MS account or will apps like the preinstalled ones be updated though

 

[5ggggg]

- but would it be good enough to just have no connected MS account or will apps like the preinstalled ones be updated though ?

 

[Brink]

5ggggg,

As a local user, you will not be able to manually update your apps through the Store, but if you leave this set to "Not Configured" (enabled) in the tutorial, then Windows will still automatically update them for you.

 

[Skull Kid]

I'm still stuck with trying to disable the Windows Store from showing the notification about updating my apps, is there ANY way to completely disable this??? Thanks to anyone who knows the answer!

 

[Brink]

Hello Skull Kid,

Sorry, but no since it's by design. The Store will always show a number indicating that you have apps that need updating until you either install the update or uninstall the app.

You should keep your apps updated though to keep them working properly.

 

[Skull Kid]

Hello Skull Kid,

Sorry, but no since it's by design. The Store will always show a number indicating that you have apps that need updating until you either install the update or uninstall the app.

You should keep your apps updated though to keep them working properly.

Hi Brink Yes... I seem to be forced to keep them updated, by Microsoft... but I'm hoping for some sort of "hack" to bypass that, as I prefer retail apps

 

[Brink]

I'm not aware of a way to do so currently.