Tutorial  Updated

Prevent updates by removing the system's update folder

This method isn't particuarly new or discovered by me, it's just my own take on a guide that simplifies this process as much as possible. it's now easier than ever to remove the system's update folder thanks to rikumax's script. It's basically free from user error and you don't have to learn how to use FTP clients.


Explanation

Preventing system updates is a normal procedure when it comes to Wii U, especially since the system is set to automatically download and install system updates. One way of preventing them was to use someone's DNS server to block Nintendo's servers. But what if I said you don't have to block anything yet still prevent updates?

By deleting your system's update folder, you prevent all forms of system updates without DNS. This is where updates are stored before they are applied to your system. With no update folder, the system cannot possibly update. Of course you can always recreate this folder any time that you want to purposely update. The process is as simple as running CFW, launching FtpiiU Everywhere, and running a script on your PC to delete the update folder from your system. This is not at all dangerous and holds no risks, not even user error. Once done, you won't ever have to worry about system updates again. You can remain on 5.5.1 if you want to, and 5.5.2 users don't have to worry about the next incoming updates in the future which pretty much makes you futureproof.


Benefits
This benefits you by not making you use DNS, which caused some issues. Some users couldn't use NNU Patcher while using DNS and they just could not download game updates no matter what. Another issue is that annoying "Pending download" in download management when you try to download anything while you have a "Failed system update" preventing all downloads. DNS overall became problematic on Wii U so this new method will become more reliable for blocking system updates compared to DNS, especially in the longrun.




Instructions

1. Download this version of FTPiiu Everywhere
Ftpiiu Everywhere for Mocha


2. Once downloaded, open the zip and extract the wiiu folder to your SD card
3. Put the SD card into your Wii U and run Mocha CFW
4. Now run Homebrew Launcher and boot up Ftpiiu Everywhere that you added earlier
5. Your Wii U's IP Address will be displayed on the gamepad, make note of it
6. Download rikumax's script HERE
7. Open the zip and extract the release folder
8. Run ConsoleApplication1.exe (Note: Non-Windows users can use Wine or Mono)
9. It wll begin to ask you a series of questions. Enter your Wii U's IP shown on the gamepad which looks something like 192.168.1.1 or 10.0.0.0
Note: If you get an error saying "No such file or directory" it means you didn't launch CFW before launching Ftpiiu Everywhere.
10. Then it will ask if you want to delete the update folder or create an update folder. Type the number shown by the option you want and press enter
11. If you receive no errors, then it was successful and you are done


Now that your system's update folder has been deleted, you should be safe from any system updates from here on. You can set your DNS setting back to
Auto-Obtain. You can test this by purposely trying to update the system in system settings. You'll get an error code, saying that you need to remove an update from download management. This means there's nowhere to store update files so the system cannot update. Only you can recreate the update folder, the system will not generate one on it's own.



Recreating the update folder
To recreate the update folder, simply follow steps 3-11 but choose create folder instead. This is only necessary if you wanted to update purposely.



Note that if you're on 5.5.1, you'll still need to run NNU Patcher for Eshop access or game updates. This is because Eshop normally requires you to be on the latest system update, but NNU Patcher disables the update check temporarily. But at least now you won't have to deal with any issues brought by using DNS.




If this fails and you've given up trying, you can try the manual method here: https://gbatemp.net/threads/block-wii-u-system-updates-without-dns-blocking.477944/
 
Last edited by MattKimura,

godreborn

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Can't start any game now because it wants to install an already downloaded but deleted update. Error every time the Wii U boots up or if I leave the system settings. What should I do? Recreating the update folder didn't help. In the Download Management it shows the system update as completed.

u might try the madridi site: https://madridi7.github.io/WiiU/index540-551.html

it can delete incomplete updates, so it might help u here.
 
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Lacius

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what its even this, never heard of it. And it doesnt look like it can help
If a Wii U software update has already been downloaded, it's not in the update folder. Removing the pre-downloaded update via the link provided is the best course of action. Removing the update folder is only good for blocking updates before they've been downloaded to the system.
 

rikumax25!

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If a Wii U software update has already been downloaded, it's not in the update folder. Removing the pre-downloaded update via the link provided is the best course of action. Removing the update folder is only good for blocking updates before they've been downloaded to the system.
im suggesting it since thats what they wanted, since they followed it. So by following what i said, they'll have updates blocked and will be able to download stuff freely
 

godreborn

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but the update is no longer in the update folder. he says he even deleted the folder, but the update is still there. there must be a trace of it still on the system since it completed on the user.
 

Lacius

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im suggesting it since thats what they wanted, since they followed it. So by following what i said, they'll have updates blocked and will be able to download stuff freely
First, your advice will update the system to 5.5.2. Second, your advice doesn't end with blocking updates. Third, one should just visit the above URL to remove the predownloaded update in order to resolve the issue.
 
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rikumax25!

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First, your advice will update the system to 5.5.2. Second, your advice doesn't end with blocking updates. Third, one should just visit the above URL to remove the predownloaded update in order to resolve the issue.
when did i say to update .-.
 

Lacius

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when did i say to update .-.
You didn't suggest anything that would clear the pre-downloaded update. Not clearing the update with something like the above URL will eventually cause it to auto-install, with or without the update folder.

Edit: I can't resist...
dont suggest stuff that you have no proof or havent tested.
 
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Madridi

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dont suggest stuff that you have no proof or havent tested.
Hey hey.. no need for hostility.

It's an old homebrew from back in the day that I just stuck on the website. Several people confirmed that it works (I haven't confirmed it myself, cause I never was in that position to test thankfully)

Anyway, I guess the others clarified it to you by now
 

Warwick

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Hey everyone,

Im on 5.5.2 CBHC -
I am on a mac, so I used Parallels Desktop to go into the cmd and launched the script. I get a error message followed by the program crashing, however on the WiiU the last two lines read
"Wrote reply: 550 Success"
"Client disconnected"

I presume it didnt work because when I take off the DNS and try update the console, it loads and says that the console is up to date.
I presume it didnt work and I should probobaly try the manual method?

Any advice and help would be most appreciated!
Thank you!
 

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rikumax25!

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Hey everyone,

Im on 5.5.2 CBHC -
I am on a mac, so I used Parallels Desktop to go into the cmd and launched the script. I get a error message followed by the program crashing, however on the WiiU the last two lines read
"Wrote reply: 550 Success"
"Client disconnected"

I presume it didnt work because when I take off the DNS and try update the console, it loads and says that the console is up to date.
I presume it didnt work and I should probobaly try the manual method?

Any advice and help would be most appreciated!
Thank you!
it couldnt find the file, so my theory is that you didnt enable cfw correctly
 
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BigPanda

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Anyone know if there is an .elf version of the temporary update remover ? I am not able to launch the one from madridi7 site on my WiiU. Sadly since I have an incomplete download of 5.52 it keep recreating the update folder after it is deleted.
 

BigPanda

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Why not?
And is this what you went to:
https://madridi7.github.io/WiiU/

Yeah, no idea why, but the removal one refused to load here. Video loading screen freeze. I grabbed the AIO Self Hosting package and managed to get it work.
Not saying the issue is on your side, I know that the web browser thing sometimes doesn't like to work.

Thanks
 

Madridi

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Yeah, no idea why, but the removal one refused to load here. Video loading screen freeze. I grabbed the AIO Self Hosting package and managed to get it work.
Not saying the issue is on your side, I know that the web browser thing sometimes doesn't like to work.

Thanks
Yeah I get that. GitHub also uses https which makes the connection take a while compared to regular http. Self hosting would be even faster.

Anyway, if you got it to work then great :)
 

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