How can I actually disable Avast Software Updater in Avast Premium Security

[resU_demannU]

I prefer to manage software versions myself. Some software I have is, for example, the last version that supports a particular feature I need for my personal uses, or the last version that can exchange data with something I can not update anymore but for which I have no working alternative. In other cases, new versions break my process by burying something I need through layers of stuff, or just break features I use completely (every Microsoft product I have is in this category, including Windows itself). I take care of how I use these programs and do not feed them ‘untrusted’ data, so I do not need them to be forcibly broken (er, updated) purportedly on my behalf. Other software I still want to try out new versions rather than having them imposed upon me, mostly for the same reasons.

I’m sure this is useful for someone, just not for me.

BUT, Avast Premium Security’s Software Updater can not be turned off. The only way to prevent it forcibly updating everything on my system more than 10 nanoseconds old is to, on every boot, unplug the system from the network until AFTER the update check. This is despite having Avast’s Software Updater TURNED OFF in the controls (Performance / Software Updater / slider next to Software updater set to it’s red X instead of green check).

I also tried clearing all the checkboxes in Menu / Settings / Performance / Software Updater, but this has no effect.

It’s bad enough that every time I get forced through some ‘wizard’ to get back to the antimalware program’s user interface, any features I have disabled are all enabled again. But the Software Updater doesn’t even follow its own settings that long – it will update stuff with all the checkboxes in its settings cleared and the big colourful switch in its page RED and off.

What can I do to actually (and ideally permanently) disable this alleged ‘feature’?

[rocksteady]

Software Updater used to be a “Component”, but not sure if that remains the case.
You can change installed Components from the Avast UI.
Menu>Settings>Troubleshooting>[ADD/MODIFY COMPONENTS]

If Software Updater is listed in Components, then untick that box, then Restart.

[chris...]

No issues on my end, and it’s not a topic I’ve seen come up often here.

However, many are like you and prefer to manage updates themselves.

If you’ve unchecked the boxes and updates are still happening on their own, there’s a problem… Try repairing avast or reinstalling it properly.

Also check that “smartscan” is not scheduled to run when your computer starts up, as it also checks for application updates. However, it only suggests updates and leaves the choice up to you.

Another radical solution is to modify your installation to customize it.
Menu->settings->general->troubleshooting/add/modify components (uncheck “cleanup and update tools”

[resU_demannU]

Disabling it from the components list helped. Thanks.