Disabling auto-checking for software updates for Garmin Express.

Auto-check is a task within the Task Scheduler.  See the attached image although take note that in my case I've already disabled the task.  There are several ways to disable over a multi-user environment.  By the way when the task runs it creates a small file at C:\ProgramData\Garmin\Logs\SelfUpdater.  They can be deleted.

That will NOT disable GE from checking for updates each time it is opened by a user. Even if the OP keeps GE running all the time whenever the PC is rebooted and GE is opened by the first user after reboot it will recheck for upfates again.

True, I've disabled the scheduled task and it is still looking for updates.

What OS are you running?  Disabling in Task Manager and disabling the “run in background” in GE settings has worked for me for many years.

And what happens when a user starts their session and starts GE?

It checks for updates to GE.

Disabling "run in background" means it has to be started for each use. That does not meet his requirement.

JohnfromPA said:

What OS are you running?  Disabling in Task Manager and disabling the “run in background” in GE settings has worked for me for many years.

This disables the scheduled update checks but not the one that is done each time GE starts.  The Garmin installation directory \Program Files (x86)\Garmin\ contains a directory named "Express SelfUpdater" so I hoped that renaming it would disable the on-start update check but it did not.  

Also, the run in background setting needs to be checked following every update.  I am not certain that it is re-enabled following EVERY update but I have noticed it get enabled by updates.

Review the thread at garmin express launch at startup[ and see if you have an entry in the registry.

That thread is about GE starting at Windows startup even when configured not to.  That was a but that was fixed in 7.18.  I believe what we are talking about here is an update check that GE performs each time it is started, regardless of how it is started.

@JohnfromPA, are you saying that you don't get the new version available notice when you start GE.  I do, and my GarminUpdaterTask has been disabled since May 5 (last log date), and my "run in background" option is disabled.  It is annoying.  I would love to be able to disable it.  I don't trust Garmin to release a bug-free update so I chose to stay with a version that works for my device.  I don't need or want to be reminded about a new version available every time I start GE.

Peobody said:

I believe what we are talking about here is an update check that GE performs each time it is started, regardless of how it is started.

That is what I believed the OP was aksing when I started to respond. JohnfromPA seems to be stuck on posting about Task scheduling and GE starting at PC reboot. 

GE is programed to check for updates EVERY time it is started. This is similar behavior a lot of programs do today. FireFox does it, as does and popx up a message also, other browsers are a little more behind the scenes, and we just don't notice. Here we do.