Well you can't disable "check for updates" in BaseCamp (but you can block internet access to it --what I do) and Garmin Express updates whether you want it to or not.
I'm seeing a pattern here (Garmin knows better than you the stupid user).
Fortunately I have the knowledge to defeat Garmin's attempts. Most don't.
I suspect it may be a question in some minds of being stuck between a rock and a hard place. Garmin update their software to resolve issues then get stick from folks as something isn't working, when in many cases it would if folks bothered to update their software. At least you and I know enough to make informed choices .... many don't.