How to disable Automatic Updates with Windows Media Player (278960)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows Media Player 9 Series for Windows XP
  • Microsoft Windows Media Player 9 Series for Windows 2000
  • Microsoft Windows Media Player 9 Series for Windows Millennium Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Media Player 9 Series for Windows 98 Second Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Media Player for Windows XP Home Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Media Player for Windows XP Professional
  • Microsoft Windows Media Player 7.1
  • Microsoft Windows Media Player 7
  • Microsoft Windows Media Player 6.4
  • Microsoft Windows Media Player 10
  • Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia 2000 Concise Edition
  • Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia 2000 Deluxe Edition
This article was previously published under Q278960
IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SUMMARY

Windows Media Player periodically checks for newer versions or updates by using the Internet. When a new version or update to Windows Media Player is available, Windows Media Player notifies local administrators that there is a newer version to download. Administrators can turn off this notification either when you are prompted in Windows Media Player 6.4 or through a registry change for later versions. A Group Policy is also available for Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003.

Note: If you are not logged on as a local administrator, you are not prompted for automatic updates, and the Check for Player Updates option is not available on the Help menu in current versions of Windows Media Player.

MORE INFORMATION

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.
Windows Media Player 6.4 and versions starting with Windows Media Player 7.0 and later use two different upgrade systems with different behaviors. In Windows Media Player 6.4, when you are prompted for an upgrade, if you do not want to upgrade your player, click to clear the Notify me of any player updates check box, and then click the Don't Upgrade button. Windows Media Player 7.0 and later do not provide for a method to disable the checks by using the user interface.

You can also set either player not to upgrade by using a registry modification. There are two different methods, one for Windows Media Player 6.4 and earlier and one for Windows Media Player 7.0 and later.

Windows Media Player 6.4 and Earlier

To disable the Windows Media Player 6.4 automatic update checks, use the following steps:
  1. Start the Registry Editor (Regedit.exe).
  2. Locate the following key in the registry:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\MediaPlayer

  3. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click String Value.
  4. Type EnableAutoUpgrade, and then press ENTER.
  5. On the Edit menu, click Modify.
  6. Type no, and then click OK.
  7. Quit the Registry Editor.

Windows Media Player 7.0 or Later

To disable the Windows Media Player 7.0 or later automatic update checks by editing the registry, use these steps:
  1. Start the Registry Editor (Regedit.exe).
  2. Locate the following key in the registry:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft

  3. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click Key.
  4. Type WindowsMediaPlayer, and then press ENTER.
  5. With the WindowsMediaPlayer key selected, on the Edit menu, point to New, and then click DWORD Value.
  6. Type DisableAutoUpdate, and then press ENTER.
  7. On the Edit menu, click Modify.
  8. Type 1, and then click OK.
  9. Quit the Registry Editor.
To disable the Windows Media Player 7.0 or later automatic update checks by using group policy (WMPlayer.adm), use these steps:
  1. In Group Policy Microsoft Management Console (MMC), under Computer Configuration expand Administrative Templates, expand Windows Components, and then click Windows Media Player.
  2. In the list of available policies, double-click Prevent Automatic Updates.
  3. Click Enabled, and then click OK.
  4. Quit the Group Policy MMC.

Notes

Windows Media Player 7.0

After you disable the automatic update check by using the registry, when the Check for Player Upgrades option under the Help menu is selected, a dialog appears that states: "This feature has been disabled by your network administrator."

When the timed check occurs, you are unexpectedly prompted to check for updates, but when you click Yes on the "Check for update" prompt, you receive the "This feature has been disabled" error message. In either case you cannot update the media player.

Windows Media Player 8 and Later

After you disable the automatic update check by using the registry, the Check for Player Updates option under the Help menu is not available. Additionally, the Check for updates options are not available under Automatic Updates on the Player tab of of the Media Player Options dialog box.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:3/24/2005
Keywords:kbinfo KB278960
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