This tutorial will show you how to completely reset Windows Update components and policies to default in Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Windows Update keeps Windows 11 updated by automatically downloading and installing the latest updates, drivers, and hotfixes released by Microsoft.
Sometimes you may have an issue with Windows Update such as not being able to download or install updates, error messages, not being able to search for new updates, pending updates issue, etc. These kind of issues can occur when the Windows Update database or components are corrupted, one or more services related to Windows Update are not running, etc.
Resetting the Windows Update components can usually solve these types of issues.
References:
Troubleshoot problems updating Windows - Microsoft Support
Learn how to troubleshoot problems updating Windows. Find answers to common questions and issues installing Windows updates.
support.microsoft.com
Additional resources for Windows Update - Windows Client
Describes details about to troubleshooting WSUS and resetting Windows Update components manually.
docs.microsoft.com
Common Windows Update errors - Windows Client
Describes some common issues you might experience with Windows Update and steps to resolve them.
learn.microsoft.com
You must be signed in as an administrator to reset Windows Update.
Resetting Windows Update will not clear Windows Update history.
EXAMPLE: Windows Update
Here's How:
1 Click/tap on the Download button below to download the ZIP file below.
Reset_Reregister_Windows_Update_Components_for_Windows11.zip
(Content of BAT file for reference)
Code:
@echo off
:: Prompt to Run as administrator
Set "Variable=0" & if exist "%temp%\getadmin.vbs" del "%temp%\getadmin.vbs"
fsutil dirty query %systemdrive% >nul 2>&1 && goto :(Privileges_got)
If "%1"=="%Variable%" (echo. &echo. Please right-click on the file and select &echo. "Run as administrator". &echo. Press any key to exit. &pause>nul 2>&1& exit)
cmd /u /c echo Set UAC = CreateObject^("Shell.Application"^) : UAC.ShellExecute "%~0", "%Variable%", "", "runas", 1 > "%temp%\getadmin.vbs"&cscript //nologo "%temp%\getadmin.vbs" & exit
:(Privileges_got)
:: Checking and Stopping the Windows Update services
set b=0
:bits
set /a b=%b%+1
if %b% equ 3 (
goto end1
)
net stop bits
echo Checking the bits service status.
sc query bits | findstr /I /C:"STOPPED"
if not %errorlevel%==0 (
goto bits
)
goto loop2
:end1
cls
echo.
echo Cannot reset Windows Update since "Background Intelligent Transfer Service" (bits) service failed to stop. Please restart the computer, and try again.
echo.
pause
goto Start
:loop2
set w=0
:wuauserv
set /a w=%w%+1
if %w% equ 3 (
goto end2
)
net stop wuauserv
echo Checking the wuauserv service status.
sc query wuauserv | findstr /I /C:"STOPPED"
if not %errorlevel%==0 (
goto wuauserv
)
goto loop3
:end2
cls
echo.
echo Cannot reset Windows Update since "Windows Update" (wuauserv) service failed to stop. Please restart the computer, and try again.
echo.
pause
goto Start
:loop3
set c=0
:cryptsvc
set /a c=%c%+1
if %c% equ 3 (
goto end4
)
net stop cryptsvc
echo Checking the cryptsvc service status.
sc query cryptsvc | findstr /I /C:"STOPPED"
if not %errorlevel%==0 (
goto cryptsvc
)
goto Reset
:end4
cls
echo.
echo Cannot reset Windows Update since "Cryptographic Services" (cryptsvc) service failed to stop. Please restart the computer, and try again.
echo.
pause
goto Start
:Reset
Ipconfig /flushdns
del /s /q /f "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\Microsoft\Network\Downloader\qmgr*.dat"
del /s /q /f "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Microsoft\Network\Downloader\qmgr*.dat"
del /s /q /f "%SYSTEMROOT%\Logs\WindowsUpdate\*"
if exist "C:\$WinREAgent" rmdir /s /q "C:\$WinREAgent"
if exist "%SYSTEMROOT%\winsxs\pending.xml.bak" del /s /q /f "%SYSTEMROOT%\winsxs\pending.xml.bak"
if exist "%SYSTEMROOT%\winsxs\pending.xml" (
takeown /f "%SYSTEMROOT%\winsxs\pending.xml"
attrib -r -s -h /s /d "%SYSTEMROOT%\winsxs\pending.xml"
ren "%SYSTEMROOT%\winsxs\pending.xml" pending.xml.bak
)
if exist "%SYSTEMROOT%\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore.bak" rmdir /s /q "%SYSTEMROOT%\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore.bak"
if exist "%SYSTEMROOT%\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore" (
attrib -r -s -h /s /d "%SYSTEMROOT%\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore"
ren "%SYSTEMROOT%\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore" DataStore.bak
)
if exist "%SYSTEMROOT%\SoftwareDistribution\Download.bak" rmdir /s /q "%SYSTEMROOT%\SoftwareDistribution\Download.bak"
if exist "%SYSTEMROOT%\SoftwareDistribution\Download" (
attrib -r -s -h /s /d "%SYSTEMROOT%\SoftwareDistribution\Download"
ren "%SYSTEMROOT%\SoftwareDistribution\Download" Download.bak
)
if exist "%SYSTEMROOT%\system32\Catroot2.bak" rmdir /s /q "%SYSTEMROOT%\system32\Catroot2.bak"
if exist "%SYSTEMROOT%\system32\Catroot2" (
attrib -r -s -h /s /d "%SYSTEMROOT%\system32\Catroot2"
ren "%SYSTEMROOT%\system32\Catroot2" Catroot2.bak
)
:: Reset Windows Update policies
reg delete "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate" /f
reg delete "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\WindowsUpdate" /f
reg delete "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate" /f
reg delete "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\WindowsUpdate" /f
gpupdate /force
:: Reset the BITS service and the Windows Update service to the default security descriptor
sc.exe sdset bits D:(A;CI;CCDCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRSDRCWDWO;;;SY)(A;;CCDCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRSDRCWDWO;;;BA)(A;;CCLCSWLOCRRC;;;IU)(A;;CCLCSWLOCRRC;;;SU)
sc.exe sdset wuauserv D:(A;;CCLCSWRPLORC;;;AU)(A;;CCDCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRSDRCWDWO;;;BA)(A;;CCDCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRSDRCWDWO;;;SY)
:: Reregister the BITS files and the Windows Update files
cd /d %windir%\system32
regsvr32.exe /s atl.dll
regsvr32.exe /s urlmon.dll
regsvr32.exe /s mshtml.dll
regsvr32.exe /s shdocvw.dll
regsvr32.exe /s browseui.dll
regsvr32.exe /s jscript.dll
regsvr32.exe /s vbscript.dll
regsvr32.exe /s scrrun.dll
regsvr32.exe /s msxml.dll
regsvr32.exe /s msxml3.dll
regsvr32.exe /s msxml6.dll
regsvr32.exe /s actxprxy.dll
regsvr32.exe /s softpub.dll
regsvr32.exe /s wintrust.dll
regsvr32.exe /s dssenh.dll
regsvr32.exe /s rsaenh.dll
regsvr32.exe /s gpkcsp.dll
regsvr32.exe /s sccbase.dll
regsvr32.exe /s slbcsp.dll
regsvr32.exe /s cryptdlg.dll
regsvr32.exe /s oleaut32.dll
regsvr32.exe /s ole32.dll
regsvr32.exe /s shell32.dll
regsvr32.exe /s initpki.dll
regsvr32.exe /s wuapi.dll
regsvr32.exe /s wuaueng.dll
regsvr32.exe /s wuaueng1.dll
regsvr32.exe /s wucltui.dll
regsvr32.exe /s wups.dll
regsvr32.exe /s wups2.dll
regsvr32.exe /s wuweb.dll
regsvr32.exe /s qmgr.dll
regsvr32.exe /s qmgrprxy.dll
regsvr32.exe /s wucltux.dll
regsvr32.exe /s muweb.dll
regsvr32.exe /s wuwebv.dll
netsh winsock reset
netsh winsock reset proxy
:: Set the startup type as automatic
sc config wuauserv start= auto
sc config bits start= auto
sc config DcomLaunch start= auto
:Start
net start bits
net start wuauserv
net start cryptsvc
:: Restart computer
cls
echo It is required to restart the computer to finish resetting Windows Update.
echo.
echo Please save and close anything open now, before the computer is restarted.
echo.
pause
echo.
echo.
echo.
echo *** Restart computer now. ***
echo.
pause
shutdown /r /f /t 0
2 Save the ZIP file to your desktop.
3 Unblock the ZIP file.
4 Extract the BAT file from the ZIP file.
5 Run the .bat file.
6 If prompted by UAC, click/tap on Yes to approve run as administrator.
7 When resetting Windows Update has finished you will be prompted to Please save and close anything open now, before the computer is restarted., and press any key to continue when ready. (see screenshot below)
If a service fails to stop after 3 attempts, the .bat file will automatically end with a "Failed to reset Windows Update" message and prompt to press a key to continue.
When a key is pressed, the .bat file will then restart any service it had stopped before closing the command prompt.
7 You will now be prompted to press any key to Restart computer now.
This will immediately restart the computer. Save and close anything open before continuing.
It is important to restart the computer immediately after running the .bat file to apply without opening anything else.
That's it,
Shawn Brink
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