Prohibit patching

Prevents users from using Windows Installer to install patches.

Patches are updates or upgrades that replace only those program files that have changed. Because patches can be easy vehicles for malicious programs, some installations prohibit their use.

Note: This setting applies only to installations that run in the user's security context. By default, users who are not system administrators cannot apply patches to installations that run with elevated system privileges, such as those offered on the desktop or in Add or Remove Programs.

Also, see the "Enable user to patch elevated products" setting.

Supported on: At least Windows 2000

Registry HiveHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
Registry PathSoftware\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Installer
Value NameDisablePatch
Value TypeREG_DWORD
Enabled Value1
Disabled Value0

msi.admx

Administrative Templates (Computers)

Administrative Templates (Users)