Windows Update Reset Windows Update in Windows 11

  • Thread starter Thread starter Brink
  • Start date Published: Start date Updated Updated:

Windows_Update_banner.png

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:


You must be signed in as an administrator to reset Windows Update.

Resetting Windows Update will not clear Windows Update history.



EXAMPLE: Windows Update

Windows_Update.png



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.



Reset_Windows_Update_command.png



That's it,
Shawn Brink


 

Attachments

Last edited:
Thanks dear Brink.
Used your bat file and also cleared the SoftwareDistribution folder but didn’t solve my problem. It still says system is updated! But it’s not :(
What’s the solution?

You could download the MSU or ISO to use to manually update, but it's usually best to wait until it's available via Windows Update.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    TerraMaster F8 SSD Plus NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Surface Laptop 7 Copilot+ PC
    CPU
    Snapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15" HDR
    Screen Resolution
    2496 x 1664
    Hard Drives
    1 TB SSD
    Internet Speed
    Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
You could download the MSU or ISO to use to manually update, but it's usually best to wait until it's available via Windows Update.
Sir yes sir 🫡

So, there is no way to remove WU skipped updates list?
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Huawei MateBook D15
    CPU
    Ryzen 5 3500U
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Vega 8
    Screen Resolution
    FHD
    Hard Drives
    256GB Samsung SSD + 1TB HDD
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge
    Antivirus
    ESET Smart Security Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 21H2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    MSI GS73 6RF Stealth Pro
    CPU
    intel core i7 6700HQ
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia Geforce GTX1060 (6GB)
    Screen Resolution
    FHD
    Hard Drives
    128GB SSD + 1TB HDD
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Sir yes sir 🫡

So, there is no way to remove WU skipped updates list?

About all you can do is verify if it may have been automatically installed in Windows Update history. If not, then you could manually install it.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    TerraMaster F8 SSD Plus NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Surface Laptop 7 Copilot+ PC
    CPU
    Snapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15" HDR
    Screen Resolution
    2496 x 1664
    Hard Drives
    1 TB SSD
    Internet Speed
    Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
Hi Brink, and thanks for the patch.

I have a computer running 24H2, and at least once a day it shows this error:

StoreAgentDownloadFailure1
Problem signature
Problem Event Name: StoreAgentDownloadFailure1
ClientAppId: Update;MoUpdateOrchestratorDeviceScan-MoUsoCoreWorker-SearchForAllUpdatesWithUpdateOptionsAsync
HResult: 80240008
OSVersion: 26100
OSRevision: 4349
DeviceClass: Windows.Desktop
ProductHash: F
OS Version: 10.0.26100.2.0.0.256.48
Locale ID: 1033
Extra information about the problem
Bucket ID: 066e04e0d0f7cb77074cdf0a2198cb17 (1678961995708680983)

So, I ran your .bat file, actually, I ran it twice, and also did lots of rebooting. Afterward, manual windows update would never complete, just kept checking with a spinning circle. So I tried the troubleshoot option. As usual, it reported unable to find problem. But now, WEIRDLY, windows update DOES complete!

There aren't any new updates yet, so I don't know if the problem has been fixed. It may be another day or two till I'm confident one way or another, but I thought I'd let you know my progress.

I really appreciate your efforts. I've used quite a few of your patches in the past.
Especially happy with 24H2 - how to remove the two (un)reclaimable that always show in DISM

MANY THANKS!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win 11 24H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell 790 (Mt)
    CPU
    i5-2400
    Motherboard
    Dell
    Memory
    32 GB DDR-3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 2000 (on-board)
    Sound Card
    Intel Cougar Point PCH [B2] (On-Board)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG 27MN60T

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    TerraMaster F8 SSD Plus NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Surface Laptop 7 Copilot+ PC
    CPU
    Snapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15" HDR
    Screen Resolution
    2496 x 1664
    Hard Drives
    1 TB SSD
    Internet Speed
    Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
Hello,

Thanks for the troubleshooting guide and the bat file. Although I didn't use the bat file, the idea that something I set in the Windows Update settings might have an unexpected consequence helped with my problem.

I once used the function Settings > System > Recovery > Fix problems using Windows Update, which fixed a problem I had, but at one point, this function became disabled. I didn't try to fix it because I didn't have any pressing issues, but not having the option always bugged me.

After I saw this post, I remembered I once set something up to prevent 24H2 updates. It was in the Local Group Policy Editor > Local Computer Policy > Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update > Manage updates offered from Windows Updates. After I reset the state back to "Not Configured" and then rebooted, the "Fix problems using Windows Update" option has become enabled again.

Thanks!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex Micro 5000
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-12500T
    Motherboard
    Dell 03V7GF
    Memory
    2 x 8GB DDR4 SO-DIMM 3200
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel UHD Graphics 770
    Sound Card
    Intel Alder Lake-S PCH - cAVS (Audio, Voice, Speech)
    Internet Speed
    100/1,000 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox ESR
    Antivirus
    Windows defender. ConfigureDefender. One-time free scanners: ESET, Emsisosft, Sophos.

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