How to Repair Windows Update Components in Windows 10

In this guide, we will explore the process of repairing Windows Update components in Windows 10.

Resetting Update Components Manually

To manually reset the update components in Windows 10, follow these steps:

1. Open the Command Prompt by pressing Windows key + X and selecting Command Prompt (Admin).

2. Stop the Windows Update, BITS, Cryptographic, and MSI Installer services by typing the following commands one by one and pressing Enter after each:

net stop wuauserv
net stop bits
net stop cryptSvc
net stop msiserver

3. Rename the SoftwareDistribution and Catroot2 folders by entering the following commands:

ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 Catroot2.old

4. Restart the Windows Update, BITS, Cryptographic, and MSI Installer services by typing the following commands one by one and pressing Enter after each:

net start wuauserv
net start bits
net start cryptSvc
net start msiserver

5. Close the Command Prompt and restart your computer.

These steps should help reset the update components and resolve any issues you may be experiencing with Windows Update. If the problem persists, you may need to perform further troubleshooting or seek additional assistance.

Stopping and Restarting Update Services

To stop and restart update services in Windows 10, follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “services.msc” and press Enter to open the Services window.
3. Scroll down and locate the “Windows Update” service.
4. Right-click on it and select “Stop” to stop the service.
5. Wait for a few seconds, then right-click on it again and select “Start” to restart the service.

If you encounter any issues with Windows Update, stopping and restarting the update services can help resolve them. This process can also be useful for troubleshooting problems with Windows Update components.

Note: Make sure you have administrative privileges to perform these actions.

By stopping and restarting the Windows Update service, you can ensure that the update process is refreshed and any potential errors are resolved. This can help in cases where updates are not installing properly or if you encounter any issues with Windows Update.

Deleting and Flushing Update Files and Folders

• Stop Windows Update Service
• Delete Software Distribution Folder
• Reset Catroot2 Folder
• Start Windows Update Service

Stop Windows Update Service:

1. Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type services.msc and press Enter to open the Services window.
3. Scroll down and locate the Windows Update service.
4. Right-click on it and select Stop from the context menu.

Delete Software Distribution Folder:

1. Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type %windir%\SoftwareDistribution and press Enter.
3. Select all files and folders in the opened window.
4. Press Shift + Delete to permanently delete them.

Reset Catroot2 Folder:

1. Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type cmd and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open an elevated Command Prompt.
3. In the Command Prompt window, type net stop cryptsvc and press Enter.
4. Type md %systemroot%\system32\catroot2.old and press Enter.
5. Type xcopy %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 %systemroot%\system32\catroot2.old /s and press Enter.
6. Type net start cryptsvc and press Enter.

Start Windows Update Service:

1. Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type services.msc and press Enter to open the Services window.
3. Scroll down and locate the Windows Update service.
4. Right-click on it and select Start from the context menu.

Repairing Registry Values and Network Settings

To repair Windows Update components in Windows 10, you may need to address issues with registry values and network settings. These steps can help resolve common problems:

1. Repair Registry Values:
– Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
– Type “regedit” and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
– Navigate to the following key: “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsUpdate“.
– Check if the “AU” key exists. If not, right-click on “WindowsUpdate” and select New > Key. Name it “AU”.
– Right-click on the “AU” key and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value. Name it “UseWUServer”.
– Double-click the “UseWUServer” value and set the data to “0”.
– Close the Registry Editor.

2. Reset Network Settings:
– Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
– Run the following commands one by one:
– “net stop wuauserv”
– “net stop cryptSvc”
– “net stop bits”
– “net stop msiserver”
– “ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old”
– “ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old”
– “net start wuauserv”
– “net start cryptSvc”
– “net start bits”
– “net start msiserver”

These steps can help repair registry values and network settings related to Windows Update components in Windows 10.

Addressing Update Stuck or Permanent Removal Issues

F.A.Q.

How do I fix a corrupted Windows Update?

To fix a corrupted Windows Update, you can use the Update Troubleshooter. Access it by going to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters.

How do I run DISM to repair Windows Update components?

To run DISM and repair Windows Update components, open Command Prompt as administrator and enter the following command: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:G:\Sources\install.wim.

How do I restore Windows Update service?

To restore the Windows Update service, you can try the following steps:
1. Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter.
2. Perform SFC and DISM Scans.
3. Scan for Malware.
4. Manually restore the Windows Update Service through the Registry Editor.
5. Consider a factory reset of Windows if the issue persists.

Ronald Kimball