How to restrict access to the Windows Update Feature (4276761)

The Windows Update feature allows users to update Windows components and software over the Internet. The following setting demonstrates how to restrict access to this feature.

The following registry key controls a policy that will cause an Access Denied message to be presented when attempting to use the Windows Update feature.

Action: Write Value

Hive:  HKEY_CURRENT_USER

Key:  Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

Data:  Type: REG_DWORD

Value:  NoWindowsUpdate

Data/Expression:  (0= Default, 1= Disabled)

Use the Registry object within Desktop Authority Manager to automatically write this registry key and enable this policy on your workstations:

1. Open Desktop Authority Manager and select Client Configuration | Profiles | {User or Computer} | {ProfileName} | Registry.
2. Click Add to add a new entry.
3. Configure your entry with the following settings:

NOTE:  For 64 bit workstations; check the radio box “Force use of 32 registry locations on 64 bit OS’s.”

Support does not provide support for problems that arise from improper modification of the registry. The Windows registry contains information critical to your computer and applications. Make sure you back up the registry before modifying it. For more information on the Windows Registry Editor and how to back up and restore it, refer to Microsoft Article ID 256986 “Description of the Microsoft Windows registry” at Microsoft Support.