Heres how to disable it from the CS4 iteration of their software offerings.
- Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Adobe\
- Set "AdobeOnlineDefault" to "0" (zero).
If it doesnt exist, create it as a new String Value. - Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Adobe\CSXSPreferences\
- Set "UpdatesAllowed" to "0" (zero).
If it doesnt exist, create it as a new String Value.
[ Source ]
*edit - 29/01/2009*
Just to make things a little easier, I've translated the instructions above into a command you can run from the start menu.
REG ADD "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Adobe" /f /v AdobeOnlineDefault /d "0"
and
REG ADD "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Adobe\CSXSPreferences" /f /v UpdatesAllowed /d "0"
*edit - 24/03/2009*
Sadly, the instructions from Adobe just don't work.
After being annoyed even futher, I've discovered yet another way to disable the updates.
Go to "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Updater6" and run "Adobe_Updater.exe".
Now before you think I've gone completely insane and given in, just let the initial scan finish.
It'll present you with a notification dialog and you can select "Preferences".
Untick everything!
Hopefully, this will work.
*edit - 29/11/2010* [ Source ]
Anonymous (who deleted his/her own comment) gave this helpful tip.
An option for system admins to disable the updater altogether is to create a registry key which blocks it from running, even if the user tries to update manually by running "Adobe_Updater.exe".
- Using Regedit.exe, navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Adobe
- Create a new key in this folder named "Updater"
- Create a new DWORD value within this key named "Enterprise" with a value of "1"
