# Script to disable automatic updates of Microsoft Store apps on Windows

Automatic update of Microsoft Store apps checks for updates automatically and installs the updates on the Windows devices when available without user intervention. However, since the process runs in the background, it can significantly impact the data bandwidth usage and battery life. Therefore, this feature is unsuitable for users without flexible internet/data plans who prefer updating only the necessary apps manually. In such circumstances, device admins can remotely run scripts to disable the automatic updates of Microsoft Store apps using the [Execute Custom Script](https://www.hexnode.com/mobile-device-management/help/executing-custom-scripts-for-windows/) action.

 Disclaimer:The Sample Scripts provided below are adapted from third-party Open-Source sites.

 

Disable automatic updates of Microsoft Store apps
-------------------------------------------------

The following scripts disable automatic updates of Microsoft Store apps by creating a Reg\_Dword entry with the name *AutoDownload* and the value ‘2’ under HKEY\_LOCAL\_MACHINE\\SOFTWARE\\Policies\\Microsoft\\WindowsStore in the Windows Registry.

**Batch Script**

Script to disable app auto updates

reg add HKLM\\SOFTWARE\\Policies\\Microsoft\\WindowsStore /v AutoDownload /t REG\_DWORD /d 2 /f 

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  reg add HKLM\\SOFTWARE\\Policies\\Microsoft\\WindowsStore /v AutoDownload /t REG\_DWORD /d 2 /f 

   

 

  

**PowerShell Script**

Script to disable app auto updates

$Name = “AutoDownload” $Value = 2 $Path = “HKLM:\\SOFTWARE\\Policies\\Microsoft\\WindowsStore” If ((Test-Path $Path) -eq $false){ New-Item -Path $Path -ItemType Directory } If (-!(Get-ItemProperty -Path $Path -Name $name -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue)){ New-ItemProperty -Path $Path -Name $Name -PropertyType DWord -Value $Value } else{ Set-ItemProperty -Path $Path -Name $Name -Value $Value } 

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  $Name = “AutoDownload”

$Value = 2

$Path = “HKLM:\\SOFTWARE\\Policies\\Microsoft\\WindowsStore”

If ((Test-Path $Path) -eq $false){

New-Item -Path $Path -ItemType Directory

}

If (-!(Get-ItemProperty -Path $Path -Name $name -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue)){

New-ItemProperty -Path $Path -Name $Name -PropertyType DWord -Value $Value

}

else{

Set-ItemProperty -Path $Path -Name $Name -Value $Value

} 

   

 

  

 Notes:- To re-enable the automatic updates of Microsoft Store apps, run the above scripts by assigning the value ‘4’ instead of ‘2’ for the Reg\_Dword entry named *AutoDownload*.
- It is recommended to manually validate the script execution on a system before executing the action in bulk.
- Hexnode will not be responsible for any damage/loss to the system on the behavior of the script.