Hello, I've started to use Kaspersky just a few months back so I'm not much familiar with the software yet.

I have a question about automatic program updates. I have Kaspersky Standard version 21.19.7.527(b) which is the version I've installed back in december. Running on Windows 10.

Now, I've seen here on the forums that the version 21.20 should be out. I have automatic database updates enabled, yet my SW is still 21.19.7.527(b). I haven't found anything regarding the AV program version updates itself anywhere. I don't want to manually update everytime. It would make sense to me that the Kaspersky Standard would keep itself automatically up to date as well as its database. If I press the update button it just updates the database, nothing about the program. 

I want to update without manual re-install, how ?

How does the program updates work ? Where can I even see some release notes, changelogs, update info etc ?

Thanks.

Hello @Largadon, welcome.

The program upgrade is performed automatically, there is no special setting or button for it. However, the upgrade is distributed in stages, i.e. after release only a few users receive it at first, then more, and finally everyone. The distribution can take several weeks.

If it is not yet your computer's turn, but you really want the upgrade, you can install it manually. The 'old' version will of course continue to protect your computer.

Changes in the new version can always be found in the online help, here for MR20:
https://support.kaspersky.com/help/Kaspersky/Win21.20/en-US/119653.htm

I'm using Kaspersky Premium. Is there really no setting to postpone or start the application update? The entirely random, uncontrollable nature of when this happens is not good. I know what is going on - but when my parents get the message "Kaspersky has stopped working" (while it does the update) they panic.

20 minutes ago, Gb2015 said:

I'm using Kaspersky Premium. Is there really no setting to postpone or start the application update? The entirely random, uncontrollable nature of when this happens is not good. I know what is going on - but when my parents get the message "Kaspersky has stopped working" (while it does the update) they panic.

Hello @Gb2015, 

Welcome back!

There is no setting to postpone & or prematurely start application updates. 

New versions & patches are released in a staggered distribution across the globe; these *staggered* distributions may take some months before the distribution cycle is complete. Versions & patches are distributed *silently* - known as Total Force Upgrade (TFU) to Kaspersky users, the version & or patch will arrive on a Users computer - and sit in the background - for 7 days / 168 hours - IF the computer is *not* rebooted during that period - at the end of  7 days / 168 hours - the waiting version or patch will trigger: the application GUI to change colour; a Notification to be sent to the application Notification centre; the application icon in the Windows *Hidden* icons to turn red;  a Notification to be sent to the Windows Notification centre; a Notification to be sent to the Users MyKaspersky account - all of these Notifications will let the user know the computer needs to be REBOOTED - to apply the new patch or version. 

*A message such as:  "Kaspersky has stopped working" during an update, is not *normal* & should be investigated, if the issue repeats, please log it with Kaspersky Customer Service, https://support.kaspersky.com/b2c#contacts - select either Email or Chat, then fill in the template as shown; include a *detailed history*; Support may request logs, GSI, other data; they will guide you. 
*Also* -> IF using Chat - *before* ending the chat -> ask the operator to email (you) a copy of the chat transcript - otherwise (you'll) have no record of the chat*    
Please share the outcome with the Community, when it's available?          

*There is a registry-hack that can be applied that will block version updates*      

IF, for example, the existing installed version is 21.19 & (you) wish to block 21.20, using Registry Editor, run as Admin:

1. *Uncheck* Self-defense. 
2. In Windows Taskbar, *Hidden icons*, right-click the Kaspersky icon & select Exit. 
3. Export the following key so (you) have a back-up of the data before any changes are made. 

For 32-bit (x86) system:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\KasperskyLab\AVP21.19\environment]
For 64-bit (x64) system:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\KasperskyLab\AVP21.19\environment]

• Create a String parameter "IsVersionUpdateEnabled" with the value "0" Not yet updated.

Thank you?
Flood?+?

On 2/10/2025 at 11:54 PM, Schulte said:

The program upgrade is performed automatically, there is no special setting or button for it. However, the upgrade is distributed in stages, i.e. after release only a few users receive it at first, then more, and finally everyone. The distribution can take several weeks.

If it is not yet your computer's turn, but you really want the upgrade, you can install it manually. The 'old' version will of course continue to protect your computer.

Changes in the new version can always be found in the online help, here for MR20:
https://support.kaspersky.com/help/Kaspersky/Win21.20/en-US/119653.htm

Thank you for a quick response. I've suspected this might be one of the possibilities. It infact updated to 21.20 today.

Although I agree with @Gb2015 that there could be more controll over app version updates.

Hello Flood and Flood's Wife,

On 2/11/2025 at 4:49 PM, Flood and Flood's wife said:

A message such as:  "Kaspersky has stopped working" during an update, is not *normal* & should be investigated

Okay, my mistake. It's Windows Security that pops up saying "Microsoft Defender antivirus and Kaspersky are both turned off" while it's doing the update. But it made me panic for a second before I realised what was going on, you can see how it would seriously panic my tech-illiterate parents. 

I think Kaspersky is making the same mistake as Microsoft a few years ago in thinking that an automatic, unstoppable update that the user has no control over is the simplest way to do updates. And a lot of the time, yes it's fine - but sometimes it isn't. The option to initiate or postpone an update should be available I think.

The registry hack is very handy, thank you.

2 hours ago, Gb2015 said:

Okay, my mistake. It's Windows Security that pops up saying "Microsoft Defender antivirus and Kaspersky are both turned off" while it's doing the update. But it made me panic for a second before I realised what was going on, you can see how it would seriously panic my tech-illiterate parents. 

I think Kaspersky is making the same mistake as Microsoft a few years ago in thinking that an automatic, unstoppable update that the user has no control over is the simplest way to do updates. And a lot of the time, yes it's fine - but sometimes it isn't. The option to initiate or postpone an update should be available I think.

The registry hack is very handy, thank you.

Hello @Gb2015, 

You're most welcome!

Np with the message; easy to understand how that could happen & more than anything - we agree - for everyday users - when their computers do weird, unexpected, stuff - it is stressful. 

The TFU issue has been raised more than once, by more than a few Kaspersky subscribers, Kaspersky stubbornly persists with the method. 

OF course there should be an option to postpone the version/patch updates - there *used* to be; it's very do-able; for that to happen the business has to be willing to implement & at this stage - they're not - shame on them (ioo). 

Thank you?
Flood?+?