Fix Microsoft Store Auto-Updates Pinned Apps Without Permission

Quick fix: Microsoft Store doesn’t differentiate pinned vs unpinned apps for updates. To stop pinned apps from auto-updating: disable Store auto-update entirely (Store → profile → App settings → toggle App updates off). Then manually update when ready: Library → Get updates. For specific app you want to keep frozen: use winget pin: winget pin add [package-id].

Pinned apps to taskbar/Start are still under Store update control. Store auto-updates all apps it manages. To freeze pinned apps specifically: disable auto-update or use winget pin for granular control.

What causes this

Pinning to taskbar / Start is a UI shortcut. Microsoft Store still manages the underlying app installation. Auto-update applies to all Store-installed apps regardless of pinned state. To stop pinned apps from updating without your knowledge: control Store update at app level or via winget pin.

Method 1: Disable Store auto-update globally

The standard route.

1. Open Microsoft Store. Click your profile icon.
2. Click App settings.
3. Toggle App updates off.
4. Apps no longer auto-update.
5. To update manually: open Store → Library (left sidebar) → Get updates.
6. Apps you want to keep frozen: don’t click Get updates for them.
7. Apps you want updated: click Get updates as needed.
8. This applies to all Store apps including those pinned.

This is the simplest fix.

Method 2: Use winget pin for granular control

For freezing specific apps.

1. Open PowerShell or Command Prompt.
2. List Store apps available for pinning:

   winget list --source msstore

   Shows installed Store apps with package IDs.

3. Pin specific app (e.g., 9NCRCVQ69KP2 for Microsoft Teams):

   winget pin add 9NCRCVQ69KP2

4. Pinned apps won’t be auto-updated by winget. But Microsoft Store may still update.
5. For combined: disable Store auto-update (Method 1) + use winget pin.
6. To check pinned: winget pin list.
7. To remove pin: winget pin remove [id].
8. Caveat: winget’s pin doesn’t fully prevent Store updates; Microsoft Store has its own management path.

This is the granular control.

Method 3: Use Group Policy for Pro/Enterprise

For policy-driven control.

1. Open Group Policy Editor: gpedit.msc.
2. Navigate: Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Windows Components → Store.
3. Find Turn off Automatic Download and Install of updates. Set to Enabled.
4. Apply. gpupdate /force.
5. Store auto-update blocked at policy level. Individual users can’t override.
6. For Home edition: registry equivalent:

   HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\WindowsStore
   DWORD: AutoDownload = 2

   (2 = disable auto-download.)

7. Reboot.
8. For specific apps you want updated: manually via Library → click app → Update.

This is the enforced policy route.

How to verify the fix worked

• Microsoft Store → App settings: App updates toggle Off.
• Apps don’t auto-update over time. Version stays same.
• Library → Get updates shows pending updates without auto-applying.
• Pinned apps: still pinned. Stay at current version.

If none of these work

If apps still auto-update: Windows Update bundling Store apps: very rare. Check Windows Update history. For system apps: Microsoft may force-update system apps regardless of Store toggle. For Insider builds: more aggressive updates. For corporate-managed PCs: WSUS / Intune may push. For app-specific behavior: some apps have own internal update mechanism (Office, Discord). Check each app. For chronic over-eager Store: reset Microsoft Store: wsreset.exe. For specific app you want totally frozen: copy app folder, uninstall from Store, run from copied folder — bypass Store entirely. Risky and lose Store license. For licensing: paid apps with license tied to Store. Sign-in needed.

Bottom line: Microsoft Store → profile → App settings → App updates toggle off. Update manually via Library → Get updates. Use winget pin or Group Policy for granular / enforced control. Pinned apps follow same rule as all Store apps.