Windows Updates are essential for keeping your system secure and running smoothly. However, sometimes updates can cause issues or fail to install, which can be frustrating. If you’re facing such problems, this article provides comprehensive steps to repair Windows Update and get your system back on track.
Step 1: Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter
1. Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key + I.
2. Navigate to ‘Update & Security’.
3. Select ‘Troubleshoot’ from the left-hand menu.
4. Click on ‘Additional troubleshooters’ and then select ‘Windows Update’.
5. Click ‘Run the troubleshooter’ and follow the on-screen instructions.
The troubleshooter will attempt to identify and resolve issues related to Windows Update. If problems persist, move to the next step.
Step 2: Clear the Windows Update Cache
1. Open the Command Prompt as an administrator by typing ‘cmd’ in the search bar, right-clicking on ‘Command Prompt’, and selecting ‘Run as administrator’.
2. Stop the Windows Update service by entering the command: net stop wuauserv
3. Stop the Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) with the command: net stop bits
4. Navigate to the Software Distribution folder by entering: cd %windir%\SoftwareDistribution
5. Delete the contents of the folder by typing: del /f /s /q Download
6. Restart the services by entering: net start wuauserv and net start bits
Clearing the cache can resolve issues related to corrupt update files.
Step 3: Use the System File Checker Tool
1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
2. Type the command: sfc /scannow
3. Press Enter and wait for the system to scan and repair any corrupted system files.
This tool will ensure that your system files are intact and not causing update issues.
Step 4: Repair Windows Update Components
1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
2. Execute the following commands one by one:
– DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
– DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
– DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
These commands will repair Windows Update components and can fix persistent issues.
Step 5: Use Glary Utilities for System Maintenance
Glary Utilities is a robust program that offers numerous features to keep your system optimized:
1. Download and install Glary Utilities from the official website.
2. Launch the application and navigate to the ‘1-Click Maintenance’ tab.
3. Check the ‘Registry Cleaner’ and ‘Shortcuts Fixer’ options.
4. Click ‘Scan for Issues’ and allow the program to detect and repair any problems.
In addition to these features, Glary Utilities provides a ‘Windows Update Repair’ tool, which can detect specific errors associated with Windows Updates and fix them automatically.
Step 6: Reset Windows Update Components Manually
If the above steps do not resolve your problem, consider resetting Windows Update components manually:
1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
2. Enter the following commands to stop Windows Update services:
– net stop wuauserv
– net stop cryptSvc
– net stop bits
– net stop msiserver
3. Rename the Software Distribution and Catroot2 folders:
– ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
– ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 Catroot2.old
4. Restart the services by entering:
– net start wuauserv
– net start cryptSvc
– net start bits
– net start msiserver
This method gives Windows Update a fresh start by resetting the necessary components.
Following these steps should help resolve most Windows Update issues. Regular maintenance using tools like Glary Utilities can also prevent future problems by keeping your system clean and optimized. If you continue experiencing difficulties, it may be worthwhile to seek professional assistance or consider a more in-depth system recovery method.