Guide: How to block Alienware Command Center from automatically updating

If for any reason you don't want Alienware Command Center to update to a newer version, then here's how you can block it.

1) Press the Windows Key + R to launch the run dialogue box

2) Type regedit then hit Enter

3) Navigate to the following key:

Code:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Alienware\Alienware Command Center

4) Double click on the string value " InstallVersion" and edit the value to 5.2.106.0 or whatever the latest version is at the current time.

 

Surely changing the string to a really high number should achieve the same and prevent updates. Maybe worth a shot? Set it to something like 5.9.99.0? Or even 10.9.99.0? If all previous versions follow the same versioning number convention, this should work. I imagine it is a dumb checking logic ala “is my installed version number < the server version number? If yes: update. If no: no action”.

Try it!

 

Can't you block the application in the windows firewall? It's what I've done for other applications that I couldn't stand the latest "updates" on.

 

I mean this isn’t enough. Have seen some mentioned it will start updating later. Maybe an algorithm in the software change the settings.

 

I'm confused on how that can be? If it can't get in or out of the internet, how does it update? Does it have a separate update program? Get updates from windows updates?

Super annoying to be sure, but I'm the kind of guy that blocks windows updates on everything and manually installs updates that I think are "worthwhile."

 

I don’t know what to think. But here’s the post http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...-owners-lounge.826831/page-2187#post-11019446

Yeah, everything is locked on my machines.

 

FW limitation mentioned here.

This is the same reason why if you block the latest CCleaner from the Firewall rules only, then try to launch it, it will take a long time before it starts as it is still trying to establish a connection with Piriform and Avast to spy on you so the way around that is to add the below entries into your HOSTS file.

Code:

0.0.0.0 ncc.avast.com
0.0.0.0 ncc.avast.com.edgesuite.net
0.0.0.0 ipm-provider.ff.avast.com
0.0.0.0 shepherd.ff.avast.com
0.0.0.0 ip-info.ff.avast.com
0.0.0.0 analytics.ff.avast.com

 

Can you not add dell update repositories to the hosts file then too?

 

1) I don't know how
2) I don't want adding those entries to impact any other functionalities of the system as others may still want to use SupportAssist, Dell Update, Dell Digital Delivery, Alienware Connect, etc.

This is a safer method

 

Those have a ticking bomb. Both for security and trashed hardware performance.

 

Anyone try this? Just curious... I don’t use AWCC for OC hehe!

 

Dell/Alienware has to be monitoring this forum. Everytime a solution is found to block updating they somehow push the AWCC out on US. With them collaborating with Microsoft updates its difficult to pinpoint how they are doing it. It's not a Dell/Alienware update per se. One time I did an update and my RTX 2080 was not recognized. I reluctantly used support assist and it updated something. What driver and device it updated had nothing to do with the video card and after that it was recognized. Off hand I cant remember what it updated though. I do remember that..

 

Perhaps your chipset drivers weren't installed correctly? and when SupportAssist did some update, which in turn installed something related to chipset drivers making the PCI-E port visible?

I say this because my Thunderbolt Port won't be visible in device manager and the connected SSD to it won't appear in Computer until I have installed the Intel HD Graphics Driver. God knows what does the Intel HD Graphics driver have to do with the Thunderbolt being active or enabled.

 

bump

 

If you block via windows firewall it will still update via the windows store as it's hosted separately by microsoft there. This does seem to be the best way to stop updates.

 

The Profiles.zip trick seems to still work to unlock the thermal slider.