Disable third party automatic updaters (Java, Adobe) via a GPO

Question

I need to disable the automatic updates on 100 computers via a GPO. I have searched and searched but not found a real solution. I found this:
http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/408/kb408711.html
But that pertains to the older versions, and as you know we are on 9.3.3 now for adobe reader.
I need to disable the automatic updates for Adobe flash player, Adobe reader, Acrobat, and Java, and any other adobe or java products there may be. For one reason, java tends to break things and I like to test it out before pushing the update to everyone.
With automatic, people click them and end up with problems. Also, the updates often do not work like the latest version of adobe I have had a bunch of complaints that they would click update and it would not install, they get errors.
Anyways, there has to be a way to disable these through a gpo. Anyone?

Answer 1

Ok, I have created the .adm template just to simply enable or disable Java auto Updater via a GPO. For all future searches,
here is how to disable / enable Java and Adobe Auto Updates on a group of computers via a GPO. Just copy all of the text in between the lines, paste the text into notepad, and save the file as a JavaAutoUpdater.adm, and AdobeAutoUpdater.adm, then
you can go into your GPMC and right click administrative templates (under computer), click add templates, and browse to the two .adm files you just saved (one for java, one for Adobe) and import them. You will also need to click on administrative templates,
then click view, click filtering, and uncheck the "only show policy settings that can be fully managed".
(Note: The Adobe template was created by Rick Patterson and is far more in depth than the java one and can be downloaded from the link provided below, I just wanted to provide the text because I know many people are still leary of downloading unknown
files)
                                 JAVA
CLASS MACHINE
CATEGORY !!Java
        POLICY !!Checkforupdatesatstart
 KEYNAME "SOFTWARE\JavaSoft\Java Update\Policy"
            EXPLAIN !!Checkforupdatesatstart_Help
                VALUENAME "EnableAutoUpdateCheck"
                    VALUEON NUMERIC 1
                    VALUEOFF NUMERIC 0
        END POLICY
        POLICY !!EnableJavaUpdater
            KEYNAME "SOFTWARE\JavaSoft\Java Update\Policy"
            EXPLAIN !!EnableJavaUpdater_Help
                VALUENAME "EnableJavaUpdate"
                    VALUEON NUMERIC 1
                    VALUEOFF NUMERIC 0
        END POLICY
END CATEGORY
[strings]
Java="Ross' Java Template"
EnableJavaUpdater="Enable Java Updater"
EnableJavaUpdater_Help="When set to Enabled, Java Updater can run and the 'Check for updates' option appears on the Help menu.  When set to Disabled, Java Updater cannot run and the 'Check for updates' option does not appear on the Help menu."
Checkforupdatesatstart="Check for updates at start (non-policy)"
Checkforupdatesatstart_Help=""When set to Enabled Java will check for updates at startup.  When set to Disabled Java will not check for updates at startup."
                                           ADOBE 
template, created by Rick Patterson: 
http://turboninjas.com/A9adm/AdobeAcrobat&Reader9.adm
CLASS MACHINE
CATEGORY !!Reader
        POLICY !!Checkforupdatesatstart
 KEYNAME "Software\Adobe\Acrobat Reader\9.0\AVGeneral"
            EXPLAIN !!Checkforupdatesatstart_Help
                VALUENAME "bCheckForUpdatesAtStartup"
                    VALUEON NUMERIC 1
                    VALUEOFF NUMERIC 0
        END POLICY
        POLICY !!DonotdisplayEULA
            KEYNAME "Software\Adobe\Acrobat Reader\9.0\AdobeViewer"
            EXPLAIN !!DonotdisplayEULA_Help
                VALUENAME "EULA"
                    VALUEON NUMERIC 1
                    VALUEOFF NUMERIC 0
        END POLICY
        POLICY !!EnableAdobeUpdater
            KEYNAME "SOFTWARE\Policies\Adobe\Acrobat Reader\9.0\FeatureLockdown"
            EXPLAIN !!EnableAdobeUpdater_Help
                VALUENAME "bUpdater"
                    VALUEON NUMERIC 1
                    VALUEOFF NUMERIC 0
        END POLICY
        POLICY !!EnablePurchaseAdobeAcrobat
            KEYNAME "SOFTWARE\Policies\Adobe\Acrobat Reader\9.0\FeatureLockdown"
            EXPLAIN !!EnablePurchaseAdobeAcrobat_Help
                VALUENAME "bPurchaseAcro"
                    VALUEON NUMERIC 1
                    VALUEOFF NUMERIC 0
        END POLICY
        POLICY !!EnableDigitalEditions
           KEYNAME "SOFTWARE\Policies\Adobe\Acrobat Reader\9.0\FeatureLockdown"
            EXPLAIN !!EnableDigitalEditions_Help
                VALUENAME "bShowEbookMenu"
                    VALUEON NUMERIC 1
                    VALUEOFF NUMERIC 0
        END POLICY
        POLICY !!EnableProductImprovementProgram
            KEYNAME "SOFTWARE\Policies\Adobe\Acrobat Reader\9.0\FeatureLockdown"
            EXPLAIN !!EnableProductImprovementProgram_Help
                VALUENAME "bUsageMeasurement"
                    VALUEON NUMERIC 1
                    VALUEOFF NUMERIC 0
        END POLICY
        POLICY !!EnableCreateBuzzwordDocument
            KEYNAME "SOFTWARE\Policies\Adobe\Acrobat Reader\9.0\FeatureLockdown"
            EXPLAIN !!EnableCreateBuzzwordDocument_Help
                VALUENAME "bCreateBuzzwordDoc"
                    VALUEON NUMERIC 1
                    VALUEOFF NUMERIC 0
        END POLICY
        POLICY !!EnableCreateAdobePDFUsingAcrobatcom
            KEYNAME "SOFTWARE\Policies\Adobe\Acrobat Reader\9.0\FeatureLockdown"
            EXPLAIN !!EnableCreateAdobePDFUsingAcrobatcom_Help
                VALUENAME "bCreatePDFOnline"
                    VALUEON NUMERIC 1
                    VALUEOFF NUMERIC 0
        END POLICY
        POLICY !!EnforceDisplayPDFinBrowser
            KEYNAME "SOFTWARE\Policies\Adobe\Acrobat Reader\9.0\FeatureLockdown"
            EXPLAIN !!EnforceDisplayPDFinBrowser_Help
                VALUENAME "bBrowserIntegration"
                    VALUEON NUMERIC 1
                    VALUEOFF NUMERIC 0
        END POLICY
        POLICY !!EnableDocumentMessageBar
            KEYNAME "SOFTWARE\Policies\Adobe\Acrobat Reader\9.0\FeatureLockdown\cDocumentStatus"
            EXPLAIN !!EnableDocumentMessageBar_Help
                VALUENAME "bSuppressMessageBar"
                    VALUEON NUMERIC 1
                    VALUEOFF NUMERIC 0
        END POLICY
END CATEGORY
CATEGORY !!Acrobat
        POLICY !!EnableAdobeUpdater
            KEYNAME "SOFTWARE\Policies\Adobe\Adobe Acrobat\9.0\FeatureLockdown"
            EXPLAIN !!EnableAdobeUpdater_Help
                VALUENAME "bUpdater"
                    VALUEON NUMERIC 1
                    VALUEOFF NUMERIC 0
        END POLICY
        POLICY !!EnablePurchaseAdobeAcrobat
            KEYNAME "SOFTWARE\Policies\Adobe\Adobe Acrobat\9.0\FeatureLockdown"
            EXPLAIN !!EnablePurchaseAdobeAcrobat_Help
                VALUENAME "bPurchaseAcro"
                    VALUEON NUMERIC 1
                    VALUEOFF NUMERIC 0
        END POLICY
        POLICY !!EnableDigitalEditions
           KEYNAME "SOFTWARE\Policies\Adobe\Adobe Acrobat\9.0\FeatureLockdown"
            EXPLAIN !!EnableDigitalEditions_Help
                VALUENAME "bShowEbookMenu"
                    VALUEON NUMERIC 1
                    VALUEOFF NUMERIC 0
        END POLICY
        POLICY !!EnableProductImprovementProgram
            KEYNAME "SOFTWARE\Policies\Adobe\Adobe Acrobat\9.0\FeatureLockdown"
            EXPLAIN !!EnableProductImprovementProgram_Help
                VALUENAME "bUsageMeasurement"
                    VALUEON NUMERIC 1
                    VALUEOFF NUMERIC 0
        END POLICY
        POLICY !!EnableCreateBuzzwordDocument
            KEYNAME "SOFTWARE\Policies\Adobe\Adobe Acrobat\9.0\FeatureLockdown"
            EXPLAIN !!EnableCreateBuzzwordDocument_Help
                VALUENAME "bCreateBuzzwordDoc"
                    VALUEON NUMERIC 1
                    VALUEOFF NUMERIC 0
        END POLICY
        POLICY !!EnableCreateAdobePDFUsingAcrobatcom
            KEYNAME "SOFTWARE\Policies\Adobe\Adobe Acrobat\9.0\FeatureLockdown"
            EXPLAIN !!EnableCreateAdobePDFUsingAcrobatcom_Help
                VALUENAME "bCreatePDFOnline"
                    VALUEON NUMERIC 1
                    VALUEOFF NUMERIC 0
        END POLICY
        POLICY !!EnforceDisplayPDFinBrowser
            KEYNAME "SOFTWARE\Policies\Adobe\Adobe Acrobat\9.0\FeatureLockdown"
            EXPLAIN !!EnforceDisplayPDFinBrowser_Help
                VALUENAME "bBrowserIntegration"
                    VALUEON NUMERIC 1
                    VALUEOFF NUMERIC 0
        END POLICY
        POLICY !!EnableDocumentMessageBar
            KEYNAME "SOFTWARE\Policies\Adobe\Adobe Acrobat\9.0\FeatureLockdown\cDocumentStatus"
            EXPLAIN !!EnableDocumentMessageBar_Help
                VALUENAME "bSuppressMessageBar"
                    VALUEON NUMERIC 1
                    VALUEOFF NUMERIC 0
        END POLICY
END CATEGORY
CLASS USER
CATEGORY !!Reader
        POLICY !!EnableDisplayPDFinBrowser
            KEYNAME "SOFTWARE\Adobe\Acrobat Reader\9.0\Originals"
            EXPLAIN !!EnableDisplayPDFinBrowser_Help
                VALUENAME "bBrowserIntegration"
                    VALUEON NUMERIC 1
                    VALUEOFF NUMERIC 0
        END POLICY
        POLICY !!EnableAcrobatJavaScript
            KEYNAME "SOFTWARE\Adobe\Acrobat Reader\9.0\JSPrefs"
            EXPLAIN !!EnableAcrobatJavaScript_Help
                VALUENAME "bEnableJS"
                    VALUEON NUMERIC 1
                    VALUEOFF NUMERIC 0
        END POLICY
END CATEGORY
CATEGORY !!Acrobat
        POLICY !!EnableDisplayPDFinBrowser
            KEYNAME "SOFTWARE\Adobe\Adobe Acrobat\9.0\Originals"
            EXPLAIN !!EnableDisplayPDFinBrowser_Help
                VALUENAME "bBrowserIntegration"
                    VALUEON NUMERIC 1
                    VALUEOFF NUMERIC 0
        END POLICY
        POLICY !!EnableAcrobatJavaScript
            KEYNAME "SOFTWARE\Adobe\Adobe Acrobat\9.0\JSPrefs"
            EXPLAIN !!EnableAcrobatJavaScript_Help
                VALUENAME "bEnableJS"
                    VALUEON NUMERIC 1
                    VALUEOFF NUMERIC 0
        END POLICY
END CATEGORY
[strings]
Reader="Adobe Reader 9.0"
Acrobat="Adobe Acrobat 9.0"
Checkforupdatesatstart="Check for updates at start (non-policy)"
Checkforupdatesatstart_Help=""When set to Enabled Acrobat Reader will check for updates at startup.  When set to Disabled Acrobat Reader will not check for updates at startup."
DonotdisplayEULA="Do not display EULA (non-policy)"
DonotdisplayEULA_Help="When set to Enabled the EULA will be not displayed for the user to accept at first run.  When set to Disabled the EULA will be displayed for the user to accept at first run."
EnableAdobeUpdater="Enable Adobe Updater 6"
EnableAdobeUpdater_Help="When set to Enabled, Adobe Updater can run and the 'Check for updates' option appears on the Help menu.  When set to Disabled, Adobe Updater cannot run and the 'Check for updates' option does not appear on the Help menu."
EnablePurchaseAdobeAcrobat="Enable Purchase Adobe Acrobat"
EnablePurchaseAdobeAcrobat_Help="When set to Enabled, Purchase Adobe Acrobat option appears on the Help menu.  When set to Disabled, Purchase Adobe Acrobat option does not appear on the Help menu."
EnableDigitalEditions="Enable Digital Editions"
EnableDigitalEditions_Help="When set to Enabled, Digital Editions option appears on the File menu.  When set to Disabled, Digital Editions option does not appear on the File menu."
EnableProductImprovementProgram="Enable Product Improvement Program"
EnableProductImprovementProgram_Help="When set to Enabled, it allows the display of the Product Improvment Display dialog.  When set to Disabled, it prevents the display of the Product Improvment Display dialog"
EnableCreateBuzzwordDocument="Enable Create Buzzword Document"
EnableCreateBuzzwordDocument_Help="When set to Enabled, Create Buzzword Document appears on the File - Collaborate menu.  When set to Disabled, Create Buzzword Document does not appear on the File - Collaborate menu."
EnableCreateAdobePDFUsingAcrobatcom="Enable Create Adobe PDF Using Acrobat.com"
EnableCreateAdobePDFUsingAcrobatcom_Help="When set to Enabled, Create Adobe PDF Using Acrobat.com appears on the File menu.  When set to Disabled, Create Adobe PDF Using Acrobat.com does not appear on the File menu."
EnforceDisplayPDFinBrowser="Enforce Display PDF in Browser"
EnforceDisplayPDFinBrowser_Help="When set to Enabled OR Disabled, the Display PDF in Browser setting is grayed out so that the user cannot change the setting.  When set to not configured, the user can again change Display PDF in Browser setting. 
See the Enable Display PDF in Browser (non-policy) setting to enable or disable In-Place Activation."
EnableDisplayPDFinBrowser="Enable Display PDF in Browser (non-policy)"
EnableDisplayPDFinBrowser_Help="When set to Enabled, Display PDF in Browser on the Internet tab is checked.  Clicking any link to any PDF files on any web site causes the PDF file to open in IE.  When set to Disabled, Display PDF in Browser on the
Internet tab is unchecked.  Clicking any link to any PDF files on any web site causes the PDF file to open in Adobe Reader or Acrobat.  The user can change the Display PDF in Browser setting."
EnableAcrobatJavaScript="Enable Acrobat JavaScript (non-policy)"
EnableAcrobatJavaScript_Help="When set to Enabled, Enable Acrobat JavaScript on the JavaScript tab is checked.  Opening any PDF files that contain Javascript will allow that JavaScript to run automatically.  When set to Disabled, Enable Acrobat JavaScript
on the JavaScript tab is unchecked.  Opening any PDF files that contain Javascript will cause the user to be prompted that JavaScript has been disabled.  The user can change the Enable Acrobat JavaScript setting on the JavaScript tab."
EnableDocumentMessageBar="Enable the Document Message Bar"
EnableDocumentMessageBar_Help="When set to Enabled, allows the Document Message Bar to display at the top of the Reader window. When set to Disabled, prevents the Document Message Bar from displaying at the top of the Reader window."