Please Sign In with Norton Account to Ask a Question or comment in the Community
Posted: 15-Feb-2022 | 7:19AM · 78 Replies · Permalink
Anyone know how to turn off "Software Updater" so it doesn't run at all ?
It's prompting me for programs to update and there's no way to exclude them (ie. Office update which is already at the latest version yet updater says it needs an update and brings me to a "purchase Office 365" screen which I already have purchased).
I use other updater programs that do a much better job than Norton does....
Posted: 15-Feb-2022 | 2:12PM · Permalink
Don't know if you can disable Norton software updater. You can turn auto update off but that is as far as I have got.
Many software updaters are lacking and by far the best one I think is SUMO and they have some issues also.
Posted: 15-Feb-2022 | 4:49PM · Permalink
I turned off the auto update but I still get alerts about programs needing updates...
I use SUMO (I don't like that it takes me to their site instead of the application's home page) along with PatchMyPC for the best coverage.
Posted: 15-Feb-2022 | 11:33PM · Permalink
Hi,
Software Updater supports exclude functionality through the “Exclude” button in the Wizard screen. Excluded programs will not be included in any subsequent scans. You can refer to this KB: https://support.norton.com/sp/en/us/home/current/solutions/v138894743
Thanks!
Posted: 26-Feb-2022 | 7:32AM · Permalink
Is there a way to turn it off permanently? Something is slowing down Windows 10 ever since I enabled it, and I suspect it's this. I don't think I really need it.
Posted: 08-Mar-2022 | 8:55PM · Permalink
I never turned it on in the first place. I didn't know it existed. I never gave it permission to be there. It just popped up and interfered with what I was doing. There has to be a way to permanently disable it.
If there isn't, I will have to uninstall Norton completely.
Posted: 09-Mar-2022 | 1:20AM · Edited: 09-Mar-2022 | 1:20AM · Permalink
If an option to disable the software updater is not added (and quickly) I will no longer be recommending Norton 360 to my customers. Norton - You need to listen! We don't want this option in our faces. Even if you exclude many programs it still hounds you in the interface as some programs are not able to be excluded (all those which require a manual update). This leads the interface to suggest that updates are required and someting is wrong EVEN if you make the effort to exclude everything.
In my case the list in theimage below the information and advice is totally wrong and misleading. There is no update to Excel. If I update VmWare player it will break my Hackintosh VM and Microsoft Expression Web is the Sunset version with no updates available.
Norton - Please get a grip - this is ill conceived and badly implemented.
Posted: 09-Mar-2022 | 10:57AM · Permalink
After a chat with tech support I was told to uninstall and reinstall the product . . . I used NRnR.exe (but did not automatically reinstall) then used N360Downloader.exe to reinstall . . . so far (been only 20 minutes) but "Software Updater" is gone from my Norton 360 product.
Posted: 09-Mar-2022 | 9:08PM · Permalink
I have N360 on both my notebook and desktop and had to uninstall and reinstall on both . . . 22.22.1.10 is currently on my notebook and 22.22.1.58 is currently on my desktop. It's been a good 10 hours since I did this . . . so far so good . . . if it comes back I am going to be upset and cancel my subscription. I run Win7-64 and old software for multiple reasons on purpose . . . I don't need a "Software Updater" to tell me I'm running old software - I know.
Posted: 09-Mar-2022 | 11:11PM · Permalink
The most recent version that includes Software Updater is 22.22.2.10
So by using the removal tool and then reinstalling the techs knew that you would be getting the older version without the "upgrade". I think this will solve the problems others have that do not want this software updater.
If you do run Liveupdate manually you might be getting the new version back unless they have stopped the rollout.
Thanks for the info.
Posted: 10-Mar-2022 | 2:50AM · Permalink
Hi @paulsm1,
Thank you for posting on the Norton Community. Please refer to the below post on how you can exclude programs from Software Updater Scans. Thanks.
Posted: 10-Mar-2022 | 2:51AM · Edited: 10-Mar-2022 | 2:54AM · Permalink
I am not sure the "Marked as Solved" is correct here. Yes, you can disable the individual programs (some of them), some of them don't have a tick box to disable as in my screenshot above but, more importantly, this is a heck of a lot of work for the average grandma or grandpa or non technical user to have to go through and will cause them anxiety and calls to family members to do all the disabling necessary to avoid the yellow warnings. This is assuming it is caught prior to the tool updating programs innapropriately. If that is also done then there will be a ton more work to revert the mess caused. It's not good enough. It will also be checking and using resources in the background - the only proper "solution" to this is to add an option to turn the feature OFF. Once that is implemented there is a "solution" but until then there is only a poor "kludge" and "workaround" and this is not sufficient in my view.
Posted: 10-Mar-2022 | 3:32AM · Permalink
Excluding programs does NOT disable the Software Updater from running. Customers want the option to completely turn off the Software Updater scanning function which runs automatically. If you can shut off other features like the file backup and VPN, I'm confused as to why Norton won't allow control over the Software Updater. I'm concerned Norton may be aware of the request but currently may have no intention of allowing us to shut this feature off.
I don't think this thread is 'solved' unless the answer is ... no you can't disable it
Posted: 10-Mar-2022 | 5:24AM · Edited: 10-Mar-2022 | 6:22AM · Permalink
Posted: 10-Mar-2022 | 8:36AM · Permalink
xjoex:The most recent version that includes Software Updater is 22.22.2.10
So by using the removal tool and then reinstalling the techs knew that you would be getting the older version without the "upgrade". I think this will solve the problems others have that do not want this software updater.
If you do run Liveupdate manually you might be getting the new version back unless they have stopped the rollout.
Thanks for the info.
I have 22.22.2.10 and I do not have the Software Updater feature (yet). Norton is able to somehow selectively release the feature within the same 360 version number as those that will not get the feature. That is how the phased rollouts work.
Posted: 10-Mar-2022 | 9:57AM · Permalink
Like others, I want the ability to turn off the Software updater completely, not just exclude programmes. What clever mind in Symantec decided this was a feature we all had to have, rather than giving us the option of choosing it or not?
Posted: 10-Mar-2022 | 2:39PM · Edited: 10-Mar-2022 | 2:58PM · Permalink
If Microsoft Windows updates our systems and apps, why do we need a Software Updater? This is a feature I do not want or need. I want the ability to disable it permanently. I have not run the Scan so I am assuming it has not been enabled until I select run? I keep my computer up to date with MS monthly updates and I have Apps update selected so Windows does it automatically. HP Support does this for me as well. Never have had a problem with it. This feature should be an Option and not forced upon Norton users. I am a home user and don't want my AV hogging all my resources. MS Windows does the job for me and I don't want a 3rd party software vendor messing with my computer or apps. More information does not always mean better, sometimes it gives erroneous information that can do more harm than good.
Posted: 10-Mar-2022 | 3:09PM · Permalink
Norton is going down hill fast, Adding features and turning them on without giving the customer a choice. Sending the customers so many notifications that try to get you purchase add-ons and especially (life flop). For sure won't give you an option to opt out of any of it
Posted: 10-Mar-2022 | 3:31PM · Permalink
Tibbies4Life:IfI have not run the Scan so I am assuming it has not been enabled until I select run?
No, if the updater tool got rolled out to you, it will run eventually. I never touched any setting or pressed any buttons ... and made sure that the auto-update feature this tool was off. A day or so after the Updater was installed it ran on its' own. I believe it runs automatically once a week? ... maybe more?
I suspect the phased roll-out is basically beta testing so at this point they don't want the customer to turn it off ... as then they can't collect the feedback/telemetry if most people opt out.
Posted: 11-Mar-2022 | 12:35PM · Permalink
Like others here, I have used Norton for many years and have recommended it. However, this Software Updater is a nightmare and just wasted a lot of my morning. As mentioned above, we NEED the ability to turn this feature OFF. Symantec needs to respond quickly to this issue.
Posted: 11-Mar-2022 | 7:05PM · Edited: 11-Mar-2022 | 7:28PM · Permalink
This what I purchased 360 for-Firewall\AntiVrus\Password manager. I use Windscribe for my VPN but I like having Nortons VPN too. For simple stuff
It told me to update Windows Defender. Like an idiot I went and did the manual install link and it screwed stuff up
MICROSOFT WILL TAKE CARE OF WINDOWS DEFENDER....NOT NORTONS. I'M DONE.
All the background tasks that, I for one, DO NOT WANT. Turning them off is buried in there and it still runs some stuff..
WHY???
Why make it so it's not easy to simply turn these thing off, many of us do not want?
What can't I simply and easily disable all the other bloat?
Posted: 15-Mar-2022 | 6:40PM · Permalink
First it was Crypto Mining and now Software Updater. We need to have the ability to permanently disable this product. I keep my computer and apps up to date through MS Windows and HP and I don't need or want this Norton product running in the background. The database is not accurate as suggested updates are out of date or should not be attempted at all. Users are going to attempt these updates only to find out their computer is already up to date or attempt updates that messes up their computer and cause many hours of repair of $$. I do not want this Software Updater in my Norton 360! I want it disabled or removed from my Norton 360.
Simply turning off SU Auto updating does not disable SU and it continues to run in the background. Selecting a list of apps/programs and selecting Exclude does nothing except exclude them from search when Software Updater runs again.
Not happy Norton!
Posted: 17-Mar-2022 | 6:28PM · Permalink
I never got the crypto miner but maybe it's because I have integrated graphics.
Anyway, I just hope it isn't missing the icon and running with no way to turn it off
It's amazing how a good product turns itself in to junkware.
Next we'll get registry cleaners with no way to turn of and brick our systems...This might as well be freeware at this point
Posted: 20-Mar-2022 | 5:19AM · Permalink
First Norton forced a crypto miner on its users and now without user permission decides to install a software scanner, to mess up all your software without your permission?! 
I want a simple antivirus/firewall from Norton, NOTHING MORE. Norton needs to release a simple installer that excludes all this spyware and bloatware or this was the last time I renewed my subscription. I don't need or want all this crypto and software updater crap on my PC.
Get it together Norton or I am taking my money elsewhere.
Posted: 20-Mar-2022 | 5:58AM · Edited: 20-Mar-2022 | 5:59AM · Permalink
Norton seems to be very quiet on this subject - despite the volume of negative remarks. It would be nice to think that we are being heard and our views are being considered. I suspect however that they are not.
Posted: 20-Mar-2022 | 7:43AM · Permalink
If we are not heard and if Symantec does not correct this issue, I will simply vote with my dollars and choose a different product. It is a shame, as I have used this product and been on annual auto renew for at least ten years. These companies think they know best for us, but they should learn that people want the option to choose what is best for us. I don’t want my machine bloated with all this extra stuff. Symantec will lose business over decisions like this. Like you, I suspect they won’t care until the loss hits critical mass.
Posted: 21-Mar-2022 | 3:07AM · Permalink
Hi,
Thank you for posting on the Norton Community.
The Software Updater feature helps keep supported third party programs up-to-date to eliminate security vulnerabilities. This feature has been released only to limited number of customers to get feedback on potential improvements.
From your experience, please let us know what works, what can be modified and how we can improve this feature. We would like to understand the pain points you are seeing, and consider them for future modifications.
Your feedback is valuable to us. Thank you.
Posted: 21-Mar-2022 | 3:24AM · Permalink
Hi, The solution is blindingly simple Gayathri R, You need to add an option to enable/disable the software updater module in its entirity - just like the VPN can be OFF or ON. The Software updater should be the same.
Users can then choose whether to avail themselves of its functionality or not.
Posted: 21-Mar-2022 | 3:30AM · Permalink
I agree. I just want the option to to turn it off. If other customers want it ... that's fine. But I would like the ability to turn it off. By releasing this to customers for testing without a choice, you've turned us into unwilling beta testers. It should be rolled out to people who are interested.
Posted: 21-Mar-2022 | 5:39AM · Permalink
We don't want the dam thing at all, is that clear enough for you, DAM and while we are at it, We don't need Norton to notice every dam time we restart and notify us of it. What everybody wants is the option to turn of all the DAM notifications about other Norton Products. If we want other options we will purchase them we don't need to be spammed to death for things we don't want. No does not mean no at Norton
Posted: 21-Mar-2022 | 12:39PM · Permalink
Gayathri_R
I do not want Software Updater period! It is an ill conceived product with an outdated database. My computer is more up to date than the suggested updates in Software Updater. Just read the growing list of users who tried to update using your updater (believing it to be accurate) and it bricked their computers. I did not opt-in to be a Norton Beta Tester or give my permission for you to throttle this onto my Norton 360 Premium. I have been a Norton customer for 20 years and never have I experienced such unwanted glitchy software products forced upon loyal customers. First you forced Crypto Miner on us now Software Updater with no ability to remove or permanently disable it.
Launching unwanted, and out of date database with SU erodes trust in your products, especially when it breaks things that weren't broken.
1) I want SU removed from my Norton 360 or a way to permanently disable it to keep it from running in the background not just exclude items from scanning. I don't want it nor do I need it! It should be optional add-on for those users who want it. This needs to happen now!
2) SU should have launched with a current database not one recommending outdated versions. My computer is more up to date than your database. The majority of people who use their computers daily or on a regular basis usually keep their software and apps up to date through Windows. You might want to read comments of users who tried to update using SU and it messed up their computers.
3) I recommend Norton consider forming a User Advisory Group to discuss and test new products before releasing to unsuspecting users and stop using your customers as Beta Testers! There are people who have test computers who willingly test new products. Find those users. I deeply resent being your Beta Tester Norton. You need to listen to your users on this or you could be seeing an exodus of customers. I don't care how many people hours or R&D goes into your new products. If your users hate it, they won't use it and will tell everyone about their negative experience and then talk with their $$ and find another AV company. You aren't the only game in town.
I hope you are listening Norton. I do not want Software Updater! I want it removed from my Norton or a way to permanently disable it (On/Off) not just turning off auto updating. That does not stop it from running scans in the background. Why not stay with what Norton does best....internet security antivirus/malware protection.
You asked for feedback so hope you are prepared for what's coming. So far I've not read anything good about SU and my own experience is not positive. I have been a loyal Norton customer for 20+ years....I pay a large renewal fee for my product with LifeLock included. I would like to remain with Norton but it's stuff like this that has me starting to reconsider my choices.
Posted: 21-Mar-2022 | 6:00PM · Permalink
Update: Software Updater just finished it's scan of my computer (not happy about it). It said I had an outdated version of Google Chrome and I needed to update to the current version 99.0.4844.82, so I could stay protected on the internet. Hmmm, well Norton, FYI, I have been on version 99.0.4844.82 since it was released!. Google Chrome automatically updates my browser when a new update is available. So just what is Software Updater scanning since it's not detecting I already have the most current Google Chrome version? My experience with SU in this short period of time is that it's useless and flawed. It needs to be removed from Norton 360 and taken back to the tool shed for more work or better yet, can it. It's stuff like this that erodes trust in a company faster than you can say Jiminy Cricket. Clearly SU was not ready to be released. Norton you can do better than this!
Posted: 21-Mar-2022 | 9:50PM · Edited: 21-Mar-2022 | 9:52PM · Permalink
You should be able to tell that NO ONE here wants "The Software Updater" "feature" . . . I use Windows 7 and run older software for a reason - I DON'T NEED some program to tell me what I already know . . . What we ALL want here is a way to disable/turn off/remove this new "beta" feature. And, let it be known, if this feature becomes permanent, as many others have stated . . . I will no longer be a NAV customer. I have already started looking at other Antivirus software as a replacement to Norton if this kind of nonsense continues.
Posted: 23-Mar-2022 | 1:44AM · Permalink
I'll add my name to the list of those who DO NOT WANT the Software Updater feature - and at the VERY LEAST I want the option to completely DISABLE it!
I thought I was happy with Norton 360 ... I might be changing my mind :-(
Posted: 29-Mar-2022 | 12:10AM · Permalink
Hi All,
Just to add my bit, I too don't want this 'Software Updater' feature, I already use other software on my PC for this particular task. At the very least there should be a function to disable it or better still just remove it completely.
Regards
Posted: 29-Mar-2022 | 4:03PM · Edited: 29-Mar-2022 | 4:05PM · Permalink
Not only is this feature an awful mistake. But the way it was designed and released also makes me conclude that Norton 360 is no longer worth the trouble, and that Norton/Symantec/Lifelock can no longer be trusted.
1) Software Updater isn't a feature I want on my computer or my employees' computers. We have so many other, better ways to address this.
2) There is so much potential for conflicts, mistakes, etc. Why isn't this disabled by default, like the idiotic crypto mining garbageware?
I agree with many of the comments in this thread. But at this point, getting rid of this stupid "feature" isn't enough to keep me as a customer. You also have to get rid of those damn pop-ups that won't stop popping up no matter how many times I say not to show them again. That will convince me that you have some clue about the needs of customers like us.
Posted: 31-Mar-2022 | 3:52PM · Edited: 31-Mar-2022 | 3:53PM · Permalink
Adding my name to the list of "completely disable the software updater feature"...if someone wants it, they can have it, but it's awfully heavy-handed to force computer savvy peeps to just deal with something so intrusive that is not needed.
Posted: 01-Apr-2022 | 10:04AM · Permalink
Agree with all that everybody has said - the imposition of an unwanted, clearly incompetent piece of software plus incessant Norton marketing intrusions makes me question the direction the company is going in and whether the wider Norton 360 package is still reliable and desirable. I've been using Norton products for over 30 years (I think - so long ago I can't remember!) without question, but am now thinking of switching. Symantec, never forget there are other products out there which work just as well as yours!
Posted: 02-Apr-2022 | 5:29AM · Permalink
I agree with so many of the comments here. I don't want this feature and would prefer the option to disable it completely.
After it got pushed out to my machine, I noticed that I was starting to get false positives in my AV scan - a couple of my audio apps (very much legitimate files) were suddenly being marked as threats, yet the accompanying analysis of those files stated that they were trusted and used by many in the Norton Community: so a complete contradiction, which made no sense at all. If I then went into File Explorer, right clicked on those .exes and hit "scan now", they came up as OK!
I fully accept that this happened while running a feature other than the Software Updater itself, but my AV defs have never recognised those files as a threat. I ended up reinstalling Nortons and the false positives stopped. So had something been messed up following the rollout?
Anyway, a month after reinstalling, oh joy - Software Updater has appeared back on my machine again. And I still don't want it.
I also agree with everyone that this continual pushing of features that we don't want is unacceptable. If I want to add features to my Nortons product, I'll buy them. I don't want to be billed for a more expensive version of the product at my next renewal, so now I'm having to watch really carefully to make sure this doesn't happen and it's somewhat diminished my trust in Nortons, having (like other posters here) been a user for decades and having often recommended the product to others.
Nortons, please take note!
Posted: 02-Apr-2022 | 6:38AM · Permalink
(This comment is aimed at Norton, I hope they monitor and review these forums).I agree heartily with the above. Norton, please take note. You do not decide what software gets updated on my machine. I do. I just received the notification this morning that this feature has been added to my Norton product.
If the option to disengage this feature *entirely* is not present, I will not be renewing when my subscription comes up in October. I will be cancelling. There are plenty of other options, and again, I will not let you muck with my system, as you apparently intend to do. It will be the end of a 10-year relationship.
Posted: 02-Apr-2022 | 8:38AM · Permalink
Gayathri, I don' t mean to be rude, but are you even human? Judging from the canned sounding replies, I'd almost guess you are some customer service bot lol. I mean... seriously. Can you not "read the room"? Obviously we know what Software Updater is and the overwhelming majority of posts say they do not want this foisted onto us. I have no problem with the idea; what I despise is that your company thinks it knows better than we do about what is best for our systems. I'm sure for many, if not most of your clients you would be right in thinking they don't know how to maintain a PC. But for the large swath of your userbase like the people who are posting here, we DO know what we're doing (I've been a professional IT engineer for thirty years) and the fact we can't tell your software to stop trying to take over makes me feel... well, I can't say because I'm sure there are rules against profanity lol
I also rage at how even though I have special offers disabled I still occasionally get popups from your product. It should be pretty easy to understand what customers want; flexibility. Simply be able to turn ANY part of the program on/off as desired. Let US, the people who paid you money, be the ones to decide what we want running. I don't think it's a lot to ask.
Posted: 02-Apr-2022 | 7:52PM · Edited: 02-Apr-2022 | 7:52PM · Permalink
Seems as though Norton, in its total disregard of all complaints about Software Updater, has a deaf ear.
The harm being done to the Symantec brand should be self evident to its management ...
Posted: 02-Apr-2022 | 8:01PM · Edited: 02-Apr-2022 | 8:05PM · Permalink
Dimitry Chernikeeff:The harm being done to the Symantec brand should be self evident to its management ...
Symantec - Norton parted ways in 2019
Posted: 03-Apr-2022 | 7:12AM · Permalink
Strahan:Gayathri, I don' t mean to be rude, but are you even human? Judging from the canned sounding replies, I'd almost guess you are some customer service bot lol. I mean... seriously. Can you not "read the room"?
Gayathri is a real person that is a forum administrator here. She cannot make policy changes or decisions on what features might or might not be in a Norton product. What Gayathri does is pass along information posted here to the appropriate departments to make sure that they are aware of users' concerns. If those departments do not give information back to be posted here, there is nothing she can do about it.
The main problem for the last couple of years is that the marketing department seems to be running the show. That is why we see constant pop ups trying to get us to upgrade or purchase some new feature. I'm not quite sure who is deciding that we need some of the new 'Features' that have been added recently, like the Crypto mining, Software Updater, etc. But rest assured that Gayathri is doing her part in forwarding all this feedback. She cannot help if it is being ignored.
Re: Disable "Software Updater"
Posted: 05-May-2022 | 3:18PM · Permalink
Thank you all for posting your feedback on the Norton Community.
We are happy to announce that we have introduced a user-controlled setting to Turn Off or Turn On Software Updater feature in Norton Security 22.22.4.11.
Note: This option is throttled.
We appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback with us on the Norton Community.