Sublime Text is a fantastic editor, but the "A new version is available" pop-up can be incredibly distracting. It interrupts your workflow every time you open the application.
While keeping software updated is generally good practice, there are valid reasons to pause them. You might need stability for a specific project, or you simply prefer to update on your own schedule.
In this guide, we will cover the standard settings method, a forceful workaround for unregistered users, and how to manage package updates.
3 Ways to Disable Auto-Update for Sublime Text
There are three primary ways to stop Sublime Text from nagging you about updates. The right choice depends on your specific situation:
- User Settings: The cleanest method, best for licensed users who want to toggle the check off officially.
- Hosts File: A robust workaround for unregistered users where the settings toggle is ignored.
- Package Settings: Specifically for stopping plugins and themes from updating, rather than the editor itself.
Below, we explain exactly how to implement each of these methods step-by-step.
Method 1: User Settings (The Standard Way)
This is the official method to disable updates. It works reliably for licensed versions of Sublime Text 3 and 4.
Open Sublime Text.
Go to Preferences > Settings. This will open a split window with default settings on the left and your user settings on the right.
In the right-hand file (Preferences.sublime-settings), add the following line between the curly braces { ... }:
"update_check": false,
Save the file (Ctrl+S or Cmd+S).
Restart Sublime Text.
Note: If you are using an unregistered (free) version of Sublime Text, this setting is often ignored by the software. If the pop-up persists, proceed to Method 2.
Method 2: The Hosts File (The Hard Block)
If Method 1 fails, or if you are using an unregistered version, you must block the application from reaching its update server. This involves modifying your system's "hosts" file to redirect the update request to a dead end.
For Windows Users
Open Notepad as Administrator (Right-click > Run as Administrator).
Open the file located at: C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts.
Add the following lines to the bottom of the file:
127.0.0.1 [www.sublimetext.com](https://www.sublimetext.com) 127.0.0.1 license.sublimehq.com 127.0.0.1 45.55.255.55 127.0.0.1 45.55.41.223Save the file.
For Mac and Linux Users
Open Terminal.
Type sudo nano /etc/hosts and press Enter. You will need to type your password.
Use the arrow keys to navigate to the bottom and add the same lines:
127.0.0.1 [www.sublimetext.com](https://www.sublimetext.com) 127.0.0.1 license.sublimehq.comPress Ctrl+O to save and Ctrl+X to exit.
Warning: This will block all access to the Sublime Text website from your computer. If you need to visit their site later to download a manual update, you will need to remove these lines.
Method 3: Managing Package Updates
Sometimes it is not the editor itself updating, but the plugins (packages). To stop packages from auto-updating:
Go to Preferences > Package Settings > Package Control > Settings – User.
Add "auto_upgrade": false to the settings file.
Alternatively, use "auto_upgrade_ignore": ["PackageName"] to stop specific packages from updating.
Why You Might NOT Want to Disable Updates
Before you permanently block updates, consider the downsides.
- Security Patches: Updates often fix vulnerabilities that could expose your system to attacks.
- New Features: Sublime Text 4 introduced GPU rendering and better syntax highlighting, which you miss out on by staying on an old version.
- Bug Fixes: That annoying crash you experience might already be fixed in the latest build.
Try our:
Conclusion
Disabling the update check in Sublime Text restores your peace of mind and keeps your dev environment stable. For licensed users, a simple settings change is enough.
For everyone else, a quick edit to the hosts file ensures you are never interrupted by a pop-up again. Choose the method that fits your license status and get back to coding.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Why does
update_check: falsenot work for me? This setting is deliberately disabled for unregistered users in newer versions of Sublime Text. - Can I update manually later? Yes. If you used the hosts file method, remember to delete the lines temporarily to access the download page.
