How to turn off the Windows Update feature in Windows XP (892894)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional
  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
  • Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition
  • Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005
  • Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004
  • Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005
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

INTRODUCTION

This article explains how to turn off the Windows Update feature in Microsoft Windows XP.

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.

To turn off the Windows Update feature, follow these steps:
  1. Click Start, click Run, type regedit in the Open box, and then click OK.
  2. Locate the following registry subkey:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options

  3. Right-click Image File Execution Options, point to New, and then click Key.
  4. Type wupdmgr.exe to name the new subkey.
  5. Right-click wupdmgr.exe, point to New, and then click String Value.
  6. Type Debugger to name the new string value.
  7. Double-click Debugger, type ntsd -- in the Value date box, and then click OK.
  8. Quit Registry Editor.
After you follow these steps, you cannot click Windows Update in the Start menu or use the wupdmgr command to start Windows Update. However, you can still update Windows by visiting the following Microsoft Web site:

http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:1/28/2005
Keywords:kbhowto kbinfo KB892894 kbAudITPRO kbAudEndUser
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.