Is there anyway to block the process googleupdater.exe from executing with Avast? If not what would be the best way to block googleupdater.exe without removing it. TIA
I don’t think it would be possible through avast.
Will it work just set the Google Update service to Manual or Disabled state, instead of Automatic?
The best way would be a) disable it from starting in the first place (either msconfig or service if that is how it starts) or b) have your firewall block internet access for the file/process.
Thanks for both replies, however tried both with negative results.
1.The first thing i did was disable from msconfig, but would continue to “call home” after disabling it from msconfig.
2.Couldn’t not find how to disable it in my MS Xp firewal.
3. Apparently Zone Alarm has the capability to disable it…but hesitant to go that route…just looking for a simpler solution.
Thanks again for the replies…but still searching for a solution.
There isn’t.
Are you using both ZoneAlarm and XP firewall?
Did you disable the service?
You’re welcome.
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I believe there might also be a service for the googleupdater, so did you check that ?
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XP has no outbound checking so you can do that and as Tech said, with a third party firewall it should be switched off anyway.
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That is a simple solution (in program control) and one that can easily be reversed if needs be. Why the hesitancy to use the firewall to block the connections for googleupdater ?
Thanks once again to both of you for your time.
Haven’t downloaded Zone Alarm and don’t think i will if that is the only way to prevent Chrome from calling home. It calls home even if Chrome hasn’t been opened. Do not have any other Google products on my PC
- GoogleUpdater.exe was the only service on msconfig. Understand it updates all google products. But as mentioned above no other google products on my PC.
Googling for a solution seems to indicate there is no way to disable GoogleUpdater, save Zone Alarm. You either have to remove it and update Chrome manually which reinstalls the updater, then go thru the removal process again or just settle for an outdated browser.
Check services.msc, windows, run and type services.msc that displays all services and see if the googleupdater features there.
Any firewall with outbound protection, ZA or otherwise does it the same way, if I want to block an application/process I have to go to component control and either block completely or apply specific restrictions.
Personally I would uninstall both chrome and the googleupdater and be done with it. Chrome is basically an alpha product, currently riddled with security issues, completely unconfigurable/inflexably, no ad-ons, with a terrible interface, etc. Simply having fast page loading simply isn’t enought. This product really isn’t ready for prime time.
Your last sentence sums up my thoughts exactly. GoogleUpdater.exe is long gone from my PC. Just the Chrome left, but think i will give Chrome some time to evolve into a more user friendly browser. Thanks for your time.
How did you do it?
You’re welcome, it looked very promising to start with but soon the flaws were found.
It just goes to show the power of google one word from them of the release of a new browser and the media were all over it like a rash, Internet blogs, Radio, TV news, etc. etc.
Just want to add mine. Chrome is gone a long time ago. Google updater was also uninstalled. I ran many excruciating registry cleanings that even worsen the situation for some programs on this pc. Now, to my surprise, Comodo Defense + asked me this afternoon the permission for Google Updater to connect the internet. But as told, they are supposed to be non-existent on this pc. How is that???
Found this simple and easy solution :
(http://entangled.wordpress.com/2008/09/03/stealthy-googleupdate/)
To Uninstall GoogleUpdate.exe: (how I did; modified from the above instrution)
Stop GoogleUpdate.exe in Windows Task Manager
Run msconfig and disable GoogleUpdate.exe under StartUp (no need to restart)
Delete GoogleUpdate task in C:\WINDOWS\Tasks
Delete “Update” folder under your C:\Documents and Settings\Your name\Local Settings\Application Data\Google
Clean up any term with “GoogleUpdate” in the registry file via regedit (Warning!). If you’re not sure about doing this, then just use CCleaner to clean up the registry.
To me, Chrome seems to be a backdoor trojan disguised as a browser. I never downloaded it and never will.
Someday, some of you will learn not to trust Google so much. They want your information and the money made from it.
Just my 2 cents worth.