How To Reset Windows 7 Update Services

If the Windows Update service is non working properly, updates are not downloaded or installed, then the easiest and near effective way to solve the trouble with the Windows Update service is to restore its original settings. In this article, we'll show you how to reset the Windows Update agent and service configuration.

Contents:

Using Windows Update Troubleshooter to Fix Update Problems
Resetting Windows Update Client Using PowerShell
Using Reset Windows Update Tool
Reset Windows Update Settings Using Command Prompt

Usually, to debug Windows Update errors, an ambassador needs to analyze the error codes in the %windir%\WindowsUpdate.log file (in Windows 10 you lot can get the WindowsUpdate.log this way). The number of possible errors that an administrator may encounter when analyzing the Windows update log is dozens (a complete list of Windows Update errors) and the process of resolving them is non-trivial. To avoid undue efforts and waste no fourth dimension, it'due south much easier to completely reset the Windows Update service and agent to the default state.

Windows Update error

Using Windows Update Troubleshooter to Fix Update Problems

Before proceeding to reset the configuration of Windows Update, we strongly recommend that y'all offset try a simpler and quite effective tool to automatically fix problems in the Windows Update service using the built-in Windows Update Troubleshooter.

Windows Update Troubleshooter is already congenital into the modernistic Settings console in Windows 10 and 11. For previous versions of Windows, you lot will take to download it manually:

Windows eleven — Settings -> System -> Troubleshooter -> Other Troubleshooter -> Windows Update;
Windows 10 – wu10.diagcab (https://aka.ms/wudiag ) or run the local version of the tool: Beginning -> Settings -> Updates and Security -> Troubleshoot -> Additional Troubleshooters-> Windows Updates (Resolve problems that prevent y'all from updating Windows);
For quick access the Windows troubleshooting tools, you tin can use the ms-settings URI command: ms-settings:troubleshoot
Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 — WindowsUpdate.diagcab (https://aka.ms/diag_wu).

Await for the Windows Update Troubleshooter to scan your system and effort to automatically set any errors in the Windows Update and related components.

fix windows update errors with the wu10.diagcab windows update troubleshooting tools - fix wndows update database corruption

In my instance, corruption in the Windows Update database was institute and fixed. After that, it remains to restart the computer and endeavour to scan for updates. If updates are not downloaded or installed, proceed to the next step.

Resetting Windows Update Client Using PowerShell

You can utilize the PSWindowsUpdate PowerShell module to reset the Windows Update amanuensis and service.

Install the module on your figurer from the PSGallery script gallery:

Install-Module -Name PSWindowsUpdate

Enable execution of PowerShell scripts:

Set-ExecutionPolicy –ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -force

Run the control:

Reset-WUComponents –verbose

powershell: reset-wucomponents

The Reset-WUComponents command stops services, re-registers DLLs, and cleans up the C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution folder, etc. The full log of actions is bachelor.

VERBOSE: Background Intelligent Transfer Service ($.25) VERBOSE: Windows Update (wuauserv) VERBOSE: Application Identity (appidsvc) VERBOSE: Cryptographic Services (cryptsvc) Step ii: Delete the qmgr*.dat files Step iii: Fill-in software distribution folders VERBOSE: Renaming Software Distribution folder to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution.bak VERBOSE: Renaming CatRoot  folder to C:\Windows\System32\Catroot2.bak Step 4: Remove old Windows Update logs VERBOSE: Deleting the C:\Windows\WindowsUpdate.log files.   Stride 5: Reset Windows Update services VERBOSE: Reset $.25 service VERBOSE: Reset Windows Update service Step 6: Reregister dll'southward VERBOSE: regsvr32.exe / southward atl.dll VERBOSE: regsvr32.exe / s urlmon.dll VERBOSE: regsvr32.exe / s mshtml.dll VERBOSE: regsvr32.exe / s shdocvw.dll VERBOSE: regsvr32.exe / s browseui.dll VERBOSE: regsvr32.exe / s jscript.dll VERBOSE: regsvr32.exe / s vbscript.dll VERBOSE: regsvr32.exe / s scrrun.dll VERBOSE: regsvr32.exe / s msxml.dll VERBOSE: regsvr32.exe / due south msxml3.dll VERBOSE: regsvr32.exe / s msxml6.dll VERBOSE: regsvr32.exe / due south actxprxy.dll VERBOSE: regsvr32.exe / due south softpub.dll VERBOSE: regsvr32.exe / s wintrust.dll VERBOSE: regsvr32.exe / due south dssenh.dll VERBOSE: regsvr32.exe / due south rsaenh.dll VERBOSE: regsvr32.exe / s gpkcsp.dll VERBOSE: regsvr32.exe / s sccbase.dll VERBOSE: regsvr32.exe / s slbcsp.dll VERBOSE: regsvr32.exe / south cryptdlg.dll VERBOSE: regsvr32.exe / south oleaut32.dll VERBOSE: regsvr32.exe / s ole32.dll VERBOSE: regsvr32.exe / s shell32.dll VERBOSE: regsvr32.exe / southward initpki.dll VERBOSE: regsvr32.exe / due south wuapi.dll VERBOSE: regsvr32.exe / due south wuaueng.dll VERBOSE: regsvr32.exe / south wuaueng1.dll VERBOSE: regsvr32.exe / s wucltui.dll VERBOSE: regsvr32.exe / s wups.dll VERBOSE: regsvr32.exe / s wups2.dll VERBOSE: regsvr32.exe / s wuweb.dll VERBOSE: regsvr32.exe / southward qmgr.dll VERBOSE: regsvr32.exe / s qmgrprxy.dll VERBOSE: regsvr32.exe / s wucltux.dll VERBOSE: regsvr32.exe / southward muweb.dll VERBOSE: regsvr32.exe / southward wuwebv.dll Stride seven: Reset WinSock VERBOSE: netsh winsock reset Step 8: Reset Proxy VERBOSE: netsh winhttp reset proxy Step nine: Offset Windows Update services VERBOSE: Cryptographic Services (cryptsvc) VERBOSE: Application Identity (appidsvc) VERBOSE: Windows Update (wuauserv) VERBOSE: Background Intelligent Transfer Service (Bits) Step 10: Offset Windows Update services VERBOSE: wuauclt /resetauthorization /detectnow

Search for updates in the Settings panel, or look for available Windows updates using PowerShell:

Go-WUList

powershell get-wulist - scan for windows updates

Using Reset Windows Update Tool

Reset Windows Update Tool is another useful and elementary tool for resetting Windows Update settings. This script used to be available on TechNet. The author currently maintains a repository on GitHub (https://github.com/ManuelGil/Script-Reset-Windows-Update-Tool). Let'south consider how to apply it.

A compiled wureset.exe file (C++) or a regular batch script is offered for download. I prefer to use cmd script.

Download the ResetWUEng.cipher and extract information technology;
Run the ResetWUEng.cmd every bit an administrator;
The script will observe your Os version (in my example, it is Windows 10) and will offer 18 different options. Some of them are not directly related to the reset of WU agent settings, but can exist useful for fixing diverse Windows issues (checking the disk with the chkdsk, repairing the Windows paradigm with DISM, resetting Winsock, clearing temporary files, etc.);
To reset the Windows Update, information technology is usually sufficient to utilise option ii – Resets the Windows Update Components. Press two and Enter;
The script will automatically perform all the actions that nosotros described below when performing a manual reset of the Windows Update Amanuensis from the command line;
You tin run across the script performed deportment by opening the ResetWUEng.cmd file in any text editor and examining its contents. For example, selection 2 sends you lot to the :components function.
After the completion of the Reset Windows Update Tool script, restart your figurer and cheque for new updates.

The ResetWUEng.cmd script is universal and suitable for all Windows versions starting from Windows XP and upward to Windows 11.

Reset Windows Update Settings Using Command Prompt

The process of resetting the Windows Update agent and service configuration consists of several steps. All the described operations are performed in the elevated command prompt. I added all commands in the single bat file.

Using this script, you can completely reset the configuration of Windows Update and clear the local update cache. The script is applicable for both workstations with Windows xi/10/eight.1/seven and Windows Server 2022/2019/2016/2012 R2/2008 R2. This script helps to eliminate almost typical Windows Update errors when Windows stops downloading new updates or errors appear during the update installation.

Make sure the Windows Update settings on your computer are not configured using domain or local grouping policies. Yous can use the gpresult tool or rsop.msc to brandish the resulting GPO settings. Or you can reset local GPO settings co-ordinate to this guide.

Let'due south consider what this script does footstep past step:

Terminate Windows Update, $.25, and cryptographic services:
net stop bits net stop wuauserv net terminate appidsvc net stop cryptsvc taskkill /im wuauclt.exe /f
Delete service files qmgr*.dat from the folder %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\Microsoft\Network\Downloader\:
Del "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Awarding Information\Microsoft\Network\Downloader\qmgr*.dat"
Rename organisation folders, in which configuration files and update enshroud are stored (if necessary, they tin can be used as backups). Later restarting the update service (wuauserv), these directories will exist automatically recreated:
Ren %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.bak Ren %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 catroot2.bak
Delete the sometime windowsupdate.log file:
del /f /s /q %windir%\windowsupdate.log
Reset the permissions for BITS and Windows Update services (if service permissions accept been inverse):
sc.exe sdset bits D:(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;SY)(A;;CCDCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRSDRCWDWO;;;BA)(A;;CCLCSWLOCRRC;;;AU)(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;PU) sc.exe sdset wuauserv D:(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;SY)(A;;CCDCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRSDRCWDWO;;;BA)(A;;CCLCSWLOCRRC;;;AU)(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;PU) sc.exe sdset cryptsvc D:(A;;CCLCSWLOCRRC;;;AU)(A;;CCDCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRSDRCWDWO;;;BA)(A;;CCDCLCSWRPWPDTLCRSDRCWDWO;;;SO)(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;SY)S:(AU;FA;CCDCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRSDRCWDWO;;WD) sc.exe sdset trustedinstaller D:(A;;CCLCSWLOCRRC;;;AU)(A;;CCDCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRSDRCWDWO;;;BA)(A;;CCDCLCSWRPWPDTLCRSDRCWDWO;;;SO)(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;SY)S:(AU;FA;CCDCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRSDRCWDWO;;WD)
Re-register the files of organisation dynamic libraries (DLLs) related to BITS and Windows Update:
cd /d %windir%\system32 regsvr32.exe /s atl.dll regsvr32.exe /southward urlmon.dll regsvr32.exe /s mshtml.dll regsvr32.exe /s shdocvw.dll regsvr32.exe /s browseui.dll regsvr32.exe /due south 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 /due south softpub.dll regsvr32.exe /s wintrust.dll regsvr32.exe /southward 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 /southward oleaut32.dll regsvr32.exe /s ole32.dll regsvr32.exe /s shell32.dll regsvr32.exe /s initpki.dll regsvr32.exe /south wuapi.dll regsvr32.exe /south wuaueng.dll regsvr32.exe /southward wuaueng1.dll regsvr32.exe /s wucltui.dll regsvr32.exe /due south wups.dll regsvr32.exe /s wups2.dll regsvr32.exe /south wuweb.dll regsvr32.exe /due south qmgr.dll regsvr32.exe /due south qmgrprxy.dll regsvr32.exe /s wucltux.dll regsvr32.exe /south muweb.dll regsvr32.exe /due south wuwebv.dll
Reset Winsock settings:
netsh winsock reset
Reset organisation proxy settings:
netsh winhttp reset proxy
Optional. When using a local WSUS server, you can also reset the electric current binding of a client to the WSUS server by deleting the following parameters in the registry key HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsUpdate:
REG DELETE "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsUpdate" /v AccountDomainSid /f REG DELETE "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsUpdate" /v PingID /f REG DELETE "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsUpdate" /five SusClientId /f REG DELETE "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate" /v TargetGroup /f REG DELETE "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate" /5 WUServer /f REG DELETE "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate" /v WUStatusServer /f
Start the previously stopped services:
sc.exe config wuauserv offset= auto sc.exe config bits first= delayed-auto sc.exe config cryptsvc start= auto sc.exe config TrustedInstaller start= demand sc.exe config DcomLaunch start= car net outset bits net start wuauserv net start appidsvc net outset cryptsvc
Optional. In some cases, you'll need to install/reinstall the version of Windows Update Agent (WUA). You tin cheque the current Windows Update Agent Wuaueng.dll file version on your reckoner with PowerShell:
((Get-Item $Env:windir\system32\Wuaueng.dll).VersionInfo).ProductVersion
Yous can download the latest version of Windows Update amanuensis hither: https://support.microsoft.com/en-u.s.a./kb/949104.
Windows 8.i – vii.nine.9600
Windows 8 – 7.8.9200.16693
Windows seven – vii.6.7600.256
Use the following commands to force reinstall the Windows Update Amanuensis: Windows 7 x86: WindowsUpdateAgent-7.6-x86.exe /serenity /norestart /wuforce
Windows vii x64: WindowsUpdateAgent-7.6-x64.exe /quiet /norestart /wuforce

Now you only have to restart your reckoner and run synchronization with Windows Update or WSUS.

wuauclt /resetauthorization /detectnow

Then go to the Windows Update and make certain that there are no errors while checking, downloading, and installing the updates.

The reset_windows_update_agent.bat script tin can exist downloaded post-obit this link reset_windows_update_agent.aught (options 9 and 11 are not included in the script since they are optional). Download the script, extract it, and run as an ambassador.

reset windows update script: run as admin