Windows 11 23h2 not updating, stopped 8 days ago

As per the heading, my Windows 11 23H2 has stopped updating, and I have tried the following. So please help. I know that 23H2 ends next month, and as the age of the PC will not allow me to upgrade to 24H2, a replacement will need to be sought, but for now, this is all I have.

C:\Windows\System32>net stop bits
C:\Windows\System32>net stop wuauserv
C:\Windows\System32>net stop appidsvc

Smartlocker Filter Driver

Do you want to continue this operation? (Y/N) [N]: y

The Smartlocker Filter Driver service was stopped successfully.

The Application Identity service is stopping.
The Application Identity service was stopped successfully.

C:\Windows\System32>net stop cryptsvc

C:\Windows\System32>cd \

C:\>cd "Program Files"

C:\Program Files>cd \ProgramData

C:\ProgramData>cd "Application Data"

C:\ProgramData\Application Data>cd Microsoft

C:\ProgramData\Application Data\Microsoft>cd Network

C:\ProgramData\Application Data\Microsoft\Network>cd Downloader

C:\ProgramData\Application Data\Microsoft\Network\Downloader>
C:\ProgramData\Application Data\Microsoft\Network\Downloader>dir
Volume in drive C is Big Bob
Volume Serial Number is 4AFB-07CB

Directory of C:\ProgramData\Application Data\Microsoft\Network\Downloader

10/10/2025 00:41 <DIR> .
29/09/2025 06:47 <DIR> ..
11/10/2025 13:39 8,192 edb.chk
11/10/2025 13:39 1,310,720 edb.log
10/10/2025 00:41 1,310,720 edb00007.log
28/09/2025 22:01 1,310,720 edbres00001.jrs
28/09/2025 22:01 1,310,720 edbres00002.jrs
07/10/2025 09:06 1,310,720 edbtmp.log
11/10/2025 13:39 1,048,576 qmgr.db
11/10/2025 13:39 16,384 qmgr.jfm
8 File(s) 7,626,752 bytes
2 Dir(s) 414,739,083,264 bytes free

C:\ProgramData\Application Data\Microsoft\Network\Downloader>del *.*
C:\ProgramData\Application Data\Microsoft\Network\Downloader\*.*, Are you sure (Y/N)? y

C:\ProgramData\Application Data\Microsoft\Network\Downloader>dir
Volume in drive C is Big Bob
Volume Serial Number is 4AFB-07CB

Directory of C:\ProgramData\Application Data\Microsoft\Network\Downloader

11/10/2025 14:15 <DIR> .
29/09/2025 06:47 <DIR> ..
11/10/2025 14:15 8,192 edb.chk
11/10/2025 14:15 1,310,720 edb.log
11/10/2025 14:15 1,310,720 edbres00001.jrs
11/10/2025 14:15 1,310,720 edbres00002.jrs
11/10/2025 14:15 1,310,720 edbtmp.log
11/10/2025 14:15 786,432 qmgr.db
11/10/2025 14:15 16,384 qmgr.jfm
7 File(s) 6,053,888 bytes
2 Dir(s) 414,739,410,944 bytes free

C:\ProgramData\Application Data\Microsoft\Network\Downloader>cd \

C:\>cd Windows

C:\Windows>rename SoftwareDistribution Software_old

C:\Windows>cd System32

C:\Windows\System32>rmdir CatRoot2 /S /Q
CatRoot2\{127D0~1\catdb - The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process.
CatRoot2\{127D0~1\catdb.jfm - The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process.
CatRoot2\{F750E~1\catdb - The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process.
CatRoot2\{F750E~1\catdb.jfm - The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process.

C:\Windows\System32>sc.exe sdset bits DA;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;SY)(A;;CCDCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRSDRCWDWO;;;BA)(A;;CCLCSWLOCRRC;;;AU)(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;PU)
[SC] SetServiceObjectSecurity SUCCESS

C:\Windows\System32>sc.exe sdset wuauserv DA;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;SY)(A;;CCDCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRSDRCWDWO;;;BA)(A;;CCLCSWLOCRRC;;;AU)(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;PU)
[SC] SetServiceObjectSecurity SUCCESS

C:\Windows\System32>explorer .

C:\Windows\System32>WInUpdate.bat
'WInUpdate.bat' is not recognized as an internal or external command,
operable program or batch file.

C:\Windows\System32>WInUpdate.bat
'WInUpdate.bat' is not recognized as an internal or external command,
operable program or batch file.

C:\Windows\System32>Wupdate.bat

C:\Windows\System32>regsvr32.exe /s atl.dll

C:\Windows\System32>regsvr32.exe /s urlmon.dll

C:\Windows\System32>regsvr32.exe /s mshtml.dll

C:\Windows\System32>regsvr32.exe /s shdocvw.dll

C:\Windows\System32>regsvr32.exe /s browseui.dll

C:\Windows\System32>regsvr32.exe /s jscript.dll

C:\Windows\System32>regsvr32.exe /s vbscript.dll

C:\Windows\System32>regsvr32.exe /s scrrun.dll

C:\Windows\System32>regsvr32.exe /s msxml.dll

C:\Windows\System32>regsvr32.exe /s msxml3.dll

C:\Windows\System32>regsvr32.exe /s msxml6.dll

C:\Windows\System32>regsvr32.exe /s actxprxy.dll

C:\Windows\System32>regsvr32.exe /s softpub.dll

C:\Windows\System32>regsvr32.exe /s wintrust.dll

C:\Windows\System32>regsvr32.exe /s dssenh.dll

C:\Windows\System32>regsvr32.exe /s rsaenh.dll

C:\Windows\System32>regsvr32.exe /s gpkcsp.dll

C:\Windows\System32>regsvr32.exe /s sccbase.dll

C:\Windows\System32>regsvr32.exe /s slbcsp.dll

C:\Windows\System32>regsvr32.exe /s cryptdlg.dll

C:\Windows\System32>regsvr32.exe /s oleaut32.dll

C:\Windows\System32>regsvr32.exe /s ole32.dll

C:\Windows\System32>regsvr32.exe /s shell32.dll

C:\Windows\System32>regsvr32.exe /s initpki.dll

C:\Windows\System32>regsvr32.exe /s wuapi.dll

C:\Windows\System32>regsvr32.exe /s wuaueng.dll

C:\Windows\System32>regsvr32.exe /s wuaueng1.dll

C:\Windows\System32>regsvr32.exe /s wucltui.dll

C:\Windows\System32>regsvr32.exe /s wups.dll

C:\Windows\System32>regsvr32.exe /s wups2.dll

C:\Windows\System32>regsvr32.exe /s wuweb.dll

C:\Windows\System32>regsvr32.exe /s qmgr.dll

C:\Windows\System32>regsvr32.exe /s qmgrprxy.dll

C:\Windows\System32>regsvr32.exe /s wucltux.dll

C:\Windows\System32>regsvr32.exe /s muweb.dll

C:\Windows\System32>regsvr32.exe /s wuwebv.dll

C:\Windows\System32>netsh winsock reset

Sucessfully reset the Winsock Catalog.
You must restart the computer in order to complete the reset.


C:\Windows\System32>netsh winsock reset proxy

Sucessfully reset the Winsock Catalog.
You must restart the computer in order to complete the reset.


C:\Windows\System32>netsh int ip reset
Resetting Compartment Forwarding, OK!
Resetting Compartment, OK!
Resetting Control Protocol, OK!
Resetting Echo Sequence Request, OK!
Resetting Global, OK!
Resetting Interface, OK!
Resetting Anycast Address, OK!
Resetting Multicast Address, OK!
Resetting Unicast Address, OK!
Resetting Neighbor, OK!
Resetting Path, OK!
Resetting Potential, OK!
Resetting Prefix Policy, OK!
Resetting Proxy Neighbor, OK!
Resetting Route, OK!
Resetting Site Prefix, OK!
Resetting Subinterface, OK!
Resetting Wakeup Pattern, OK!
Resetting Resolve Neighbor, OK!
Resetting , OK!
Resetting , OK!
Resetting , OK!
Resetting , OK!
Resetting , failed.
Access is denied.

Resetting , OK!
Resetting , OK!
Resetting , OK!
Resetting , OK!
Resetting , OK!
Resetting , OK!
Resetting , OK!
Resetting , OK!
Restart the computer to complete this action.


C:\Windows\System32>ipconfig /flushdns

Windows IP Configuration

Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache.

C:\Windows\System32>net start bits
The Background Intelligent Transfer Service service is starting..
The Background Intelligent Transfer Service service was started successfully.


C:\Windows\System32>net start wuauserv
The Windows Update service is starting.
The Windows Update service was started successfully.


C:\Windows\System32>net start appidsvc
The Application Identity service is starting.
The Application Identity service was started successfully.


C:\Windows\System32>net start cryptsvc
The requested service has already been started.

More help is available by typing NET HELPMSG 2182.


C:\Windows\System32>exit

The tried the DISM commands

To check Windows image for issues (Doesn't do repairs)
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth

more advanced scan
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth

Fix problems
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
This might get stuck sometimes. Just wait for it to finish.

use offline image
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:\Sources\install.esd

to disable windows update in the scan add (/LimitAccess)

SFC

to just verify run
sfc /verifyonly

to fix run
SFC /scannow

So what have I missed

Ask whoever gave you that script.
The best reset WU script is provided in
Reset Windows Update - ElevenForumTutorials
so, if that's where you got yours, post your question in that thread.

Do include an explanation of the symptom you have seen of WU not updating.


Denis

@Trebo58
Which CPU does your PC have?

If your PC's CPU has SSE4.2 , it can run Windows 11 25H2 Home or Pro,
and this is the easiest fool-proof method I've seen for updating.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVnQaG06XOA

jensd.be

@Trebo58
Yes, your CPU has SSE 4.2, which means it will run Windows 11 25H2.

Use the YouTube video I posted above, and follow it perfectly, and you'll be all set.

Unless your PC is more than 15 years old, the chip should support the SSE4.2 instruction which includes POPCNT.

Thanks, PCUser I will check out the video.

Thank Try3, for the link and the Bat file. I ran it, and it found no errors, but it still isn't updating. Do I need to post on the thread where I downloaded the Bat file for help?

Trebo58 said:

it still isn't updating

Click to expand...

How do you know?
What do you see?


Denis

Trebo58 said:

but it still isn't updating

Click to expand...

Maybe try an In-Place upgrade to 24H2... I believe it works on unsupported hardware.
And an In-Place upgrade fixes most problems with Windows.



NOTE: Your CPU has the proper instruction sets (like SSE 4.2), for 24H2 and 25H2, but is otherwise unsupported on Windows 11.

Try3, in reply to your questions.

How do you know?
Below the windows up it states "Last checked 8 days ago" despite it being on an automatic update, and me checking it daily
What do you see?
Nothing, just the scrolling bar below the "Checking for updates..." Does not even state up to date"

Trebo58 said:

it states "Last checked 8 days ago" despite it being on an automatic update, and me checking it daily

Click to expand...

[You should at least have been seeing 2 WD updates a day]

If it was my computer I'd try a Repair install [see Ghot's post above] and then, if the problem persisted, I'd ask in the tutorial thread.


Best of luck,
Denis

This late in the 23h2 game, you will have to upgrade manually.

Ghot, I did think about that, but I would want to back everything up first, which would mean buying a 2TB SSD to back up, which is not in the budget at present, and to be honest, I think I will do a fresh install of Win24H2 when I have another 2TB SSD, as I have a load of junk (unwanted software) on my current drive

Porthos said:

This late in the 23h2 game, you will have to upgrade manually.

Click to expand...

Yep.
Win 11 23H2 End of Life is November 11, 2025

Maybe MS jumped the gun a bit.

Hi Porthos, thanks for your input, not sure what you mean by "This late in the 23h2 game, you will have to upgrade manually."

Ghot said:

Maybe MS jumped the gun a bit

Click to expand...

That would not result in the OP's reported symptoms in the WU dialog.


Denis

Trebo58 said:

Ghot, I did think about that, but I would want to back everything up first, which would mean buying a 2TB SSD to back up, which is not in the budget at present, and to be honest, I think I will do a fresh install of Win24H2 when I have another 2TB SSD, as I have a load of junk (unwanted software) on my current drive

Click to expand...

If you're going to do a clean install, you might as well download the latest iso for 25H2, burn that with rufus (to bypass the requirements) and install 25H2. I just did it a few days ago - it's fine. I prefer it to 24H2 (although really it's just an update to 24H2).

Thanks, Hazel123, for the info. I will look into that once I have a new 2TB SSD

I've just updated. There were several of them. I saw them download & install.
Here's my WU dialog now:-

So perhaps you should take no notice of your WU dialog either.

Five mins later, it says that it has done update checks today.
And then I told it to check for updates again [even though I knew they'd be none] and it correctly recorded the time of the check.


Denis