Disable automatic Visual Studio Code extension updates

Overview

About this script

This script improves your privacy on Linux.

These changes use Linux system commands to update your settings.

By default, Visual Studio Code automatically downloads and installs updates for all extensions 1. These updates are fetched from a Microsoft online service 1.

This script disables the automatic updating of installed extensions. It accomplishes this by setting extensions.autoUpdate to false 2.

This script uses Bash (Shell script) scripting language.

Not Advised

This script should only be used by advanced users. This script is not recommended for daily use as it breaks important functionality. Do not run it without having backups and system snapshots.

Implementation Details

• Language: bash

• Required Privileges: Root/sudo access

• Compatibility: Linux only

• Reversibility: Can be undone using provided revert script

Explore Categories

Configure auto-update settings for Visual Studio Code extensions

This action belongs to Configure auto-update settings for Visual Studio Code extensions category. These scripts control the automatic update behavior of extensions. Updates are fetched from Microsoft servers. Use of online Microsoft services can disclose information about you and your behavior. Read more on category page ▶

Disable Visual Studio Code data collection

This action belongs to Disable Visual Studio Code data collection category. Visual Studio Code, also commonly referred to as VS Code, is a source-code editor made by Microsoft. Visual Studio Code makes outgoing network requests to collect data in the background without users invoking a feature that requires online access. The requests include, but are not limited to,... Read more on category page ▶

Configure programs

This action belongs to Configure programs category. These scripts configure third-party applications installed on Linux distributions to harden their security and privacy to protect your data. They scripts differ from OS level configurations as they configure applications that are not typically native to Linux distributions, i.e., not included in... Read more on category page ▶

Apply now

Choose one of three ways to apply:

1. Automatically via privacy.sexy: The easiest and safest option.
2. Manually by downloading: Requires downloading a file.
3. Manually by copying: Advanced flexibility.

Alternative 1. Apply with Privacy.sexy

privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily.

Open privacy.sexy

You can fully restore this action (revert back to the original behavior) using the application.

privacy.sexy instructions

1. Open or download the desktop application
2. Search for the script name: Disable automatic Visual Studio Code extension updates.
3. Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
4. Click on Run button at the bottom of the page.

Alternative 2. Download

Irreversible Changes

This script is irreversible, meaning there is no straightforward method to restore changes once applied. Exercise caution before running, restoring it may not be possible.

1. Download the script file by clicking on the button below:

   Download script

2. Run the script file by clicking on it.

Download revert script

This file restores your system to its original state, before this script is applied.

Download restore script

Alternative 3. Copy

This is for advanced users. Consider automatically applying or downloading the script for simpler way.

1. Open Terminal

2. Copy the following code:

Code to apply changes

if ! command -v 'python3' &> /dev/null; then
  echo 'Skipping because "python3" is not found.'
else
  python3 <<EOF
from pathlib import Path
import os, json, sys
property_name = 'extensions.autoUpdate'
target = json.loads('false')
home_dir = f'/home/{os.getenv("SUDO_USER", os.getenv("USER"))}'
settings_files = [
  # Global installation (also Snap that installs with "--classic" flag)
  f'{home_dir}/.config/Code/User/settings.json',
  # Flatpak installation
  f'{home_dir}/.var/app/com.visualstudio.code/config/Code/User/settings.json'
]
for settings_file in settings_files:
  file=Path(settings_file)
  if not file.is_file():
    print(f'Skipping, file does not exist at "{settings_file}".')
    continue
  print(f'Reading file at "{settings_file}".')
  file_content = file.read_text()
  if not file_content.strip():
    print('Settings file is empty. Treating it as default empty JSON object.')
    file_content = '{}'
  json_object = None
  try:
    json_object = json.loads(file_content)
  except json.JSONDecodeError:
    print(f'Error, invalid JSON format in the settings file: "{settings_file}".', file=sys.stderr)
    continue
  if property_name not in json_object:
    print(f'Settings "{property_name}" is not configured.')
  else:
    existing_value = json_object[property_name]
    if existing_value == target:
      print(f'Skipping, "{property_name}" is already configured as {json.dumps(target)}.')
      continue
    print(f'Setting "{property_name}" has unexpected value {json.dumps(existing_value)} that will be changed.')
  json_object[property_name] = target
  new_content = json.dumps(json_object, indent=2)
  file.write_text(new_content)
  print(f'Successfully configured "{property_name}" to {json.dumps(target)}.')
EOF
fi

3. Paste the code into terminal.
4. Press Enter to apply the code.

Some scripts requires restarting your computer to take affect.

Copy restore code

Copy and run the following code to restore changes:

Revert code

if ! command -v 'python3' &> /dev/null; then
    >&2 echo 'Cannot revert because "python3" is not found.'
  else
    python3 <<EOF
from pathlib import Path
import os, json, sys
property_name = 'extensions.autoUpdate'
target = json.loads('false')
home_dir = f'/home/{os.getenv("SUDO_USER", os.getenv("USER"))}'
settings_files = [
  # Global installation (also Snap that installs with "--classic" flag)
  f'{home_dir}/.config/Code/User/settings.json',
  # Flatpak installation
  f'{home_dir}/.var/app/com.visualstudio.code/config/Code/User/settings.json'
]
for settings_file in settings_files:
  file=Path(settings_file)
  if not file.is_file():
    print(f'Skipping, file does not exist at "{settings_file}".')
    continue
  print(f'Reading file at "{settings_file}".')
  file_content = file.read_text()
  if not file_content.strip():
    print(f'Skipping, no need to revert because settings file is empty: "{settings_file}".')
    continue
  try:
    json_object = json.loads(file_content)
  except json.JSONDecodeError:
    print(f'Error, invalid JSON format in the settings file: "{settings_file}".', file=sys.stderr)
    continue
  if property_name not in json_object:
    print(f'Skipping, "{property_name}" is not configured.')
    continue
  existing_value = json_object[property_name]
  if existing_value != target:
    print(f'Skipping, "{property_name}" is configured using {json.dumps(existing_value)} instead of {json.dumps(target)}.')
    continue
  del json_object[property_name]
  new_content = json.dumps(json_object, indent=2)
  file.write_text(new_content)
  print(f'Successfully reverted "{property_name}" setting.')
EOF
  fi

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