Disable Windows Media Player automatic updates

If you look at the properties in the Windows Media Player program, whether it is version 9, 10, or 11 (the latest), you will possibly notice that it is impossible to disable this programs automatic updates. You will actually only have the option of choosing the frequency of the updates, be it every day, every week or even every month. There is a way of getting around this restriction by using the Windows registry. Here is how it can be done.

First open the Windows registry by clicking “Start”, “Run” and typing “regedit” into the dialogue box that appears followed by the Enter key.

Once you are in the registry editor, go to the following location:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft

Select the Microsoft folder and right click on it with the mouse. In the drop down menu that appears, select “New” and “Key”. A new key will appear. Right click on this and select “Rename” and give it the name of “WindowsMediaPlayer”.

Click on this new entry and then in the right hand window that appears, right click with the mouse and select “New” and “DWORD Value” from the drop down menu that appears.