How To Turn Off Automatic Updates in Skype for Windows 10/11

Skype is one of those apps on the Microsoft Store app that has earned its popularity among Windows users for all the right reasons. From online chats to free video calling over the network, Skype has been known for its smooth communication experience since years. However, it comes with its own set of problems that can be annoying at times and that’s the automatic updates in Skype.

The Skype desktop app can update anytime and usually takes several minutes to download and install. What’s frustrating is, it can start updating just when you have an important scheduled call, ending you up in a mess. You are greeted with an update message and then it starts updating without any prior notification. Worst is, it gets stuck. However, the app does give you an option on some systems before it’s updated.

The good thing is, the automatic update in Skype for Windows 10 & Windows 11 can be turned off. Let’s  see how.

 

Method 1: Disable Automatic Updates for Skype App Using Microsoft Store

Case 1 – If you are a Windows 10 User

Step 1: Navigate to the Start menu and in the Windows search bar, type Microsoft Store.

 

Start Windows Search Bar Microsoft Store

 

Step 2: Now, left-click on the result to launch the Microsoft Store app.

 

Result Left Click Microsoft Store



 

Step 3: In the Microsoft Store app, go to the upper right side of the window and click on the three dots.

Select Settings from the menu.

 

Microsoft Store Three Dots Settings

 

Step 4: In the Settings window, under the App updates section, turn off the Update apps automatically option.

 

Microsoft Store Settings App Updates Update Apps Automatically Turn On

 

This will turn off the automatic updates for Skype as well as other apps installed from the Store.

Case 2 – If you are a Windows 11 User

1- Open Microsoft Store

2 – Now, click on your user profile icon in Microsoft store, located at top right.

3 – Now, click on App settings.

App Settings Min (1)

4 – Now, Turn off App Updates.

 

App Updates Off Min

Method 2: Disable Automatic Updates for Skype Using Command Prompt and Temp Folder

 

Step 1: Right-click on Start menu and select Run to open the Run command window.

 

Start Right Click Run

 

Step 2: In the Run command window, type cmd and press the Ctrl + Shift + Enter keys together on your keyboard to launch the Command Prompt window in elevated mode.

 

Run Command Cmd Ctrl + Shift + Enter

 

Step 3: In the Command Prompt (admin) window, run the below command and hit Enter:

 

sc delete SkypeUpdate

 

Command Prompt (admin) Run Command To Delete Skype Enter

 

Once you see the success message, exit Command Prompt.

 

Step 4: Press the Win + R hotkey on your keyboard to open the Run command box.

Step 5: In the Run command search field, type %temp% and press OK to open the temp folder in the File Explorer.

 

Run Command Run Temp Command Ok

 

Step 6: Now, look for SkypeSetup.exe in the File Explorer window, in the temp folder, select it and hit Delete.

This will delete the file once and for all from your system.

Now, exit the File Explorer.

 

How to Block Skype from Checking Version Updates Via Registry Editor

 

This method should be followed after the above solutions to block Skype from checking version updates.

 

Step 1: Press the Win + X keys together on your keyboard and select Run.

 

Win + X Run

 

Step 2: In the Run command window that opens, write regedit and press OK to open the Registry Editor window.

 

Run Command Regedit Ok

 

Step 3: In the Registry Editor window, navigate to the below path:

 

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies

 

Now, right-click on the Policies folder, select New and then Key.

 

Registry Editor Navigate To Path Policies New Key

 

Step 4: Rename the new key as Skype.

 

Registry Editor Policies Rename New Key Skype

 

Step 5: This time, right-click on the Skype key, select New and then Key.

 

Registry Editor Policies Skype New Key



 

Step 6: Rename the new key as Phone.

 

Registry Editor Policies Skype Rename New Key Phone

 

Step 7: Now, go to the right side of the window, right-click on an empty area, select New and then select DWORD (32-bit) Value.

 

Registry Editor Phone Right Side New Dword (32 Bit) Value

 

Step 8: Rename this new DWORD Value to DisableVersionCheck and double-click on it.

 

New Dword Value Rename Disableversioncheck

 

Step 9: In the Edit DWORD (32-bit) Value dialogue box that opens, go to the Value data field and set it to 1.

Press OK to save the changes and exit.

 

Disableversioncheck Edit Dword Value Value Data 1 Ok

 

Now, simply restart your PC for the changes to be effective.

You have now successfully disabled the automatic updates for Skype in your Windows PC permanently.



2 thoughts on “How To Turn Off Automatic Updates in Skype for Windows 10/11”

  1. I always encounter a lot of issues with the new version. I tried turning off auto-update from windows app. And followed the steps above. Nothing works. Every time I turn on my computer, skype will ask to install the latest update.

    Here’s my temporary solution every day. I decline the installation and will manually delete the downloaded “skype-setup.exe” from C:\Users\USER\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Skype for Desktop.

    I also have back up folder of older version in my flash drive in case the new version is installed. In this way, I can still use the older version. Having no “real” option to stop auto-updates is stressful.

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