📎 AI Summary:
This WindowsForum thread provides multiple methods—via GUI, Command Prompt, and PowerShell—to reset Windows Update components by stopping relevant services, renaming certain folders, and restarting services. The original post offers detailed step-by-step instructions for both GUI and command-line approaches, aiming to resolve Windows Update issues. A subsequent contribution introduces a PowerShell script that automates the process, noting that deleting certs in the catroot2 folder is optional but generally harmless. Overall, the thread offers practical, step-by-step solutions for troubleshooting Windows Update problems.
Thread Author
Via GUI (Graphical User Interface)

Note: Make sure you are using an Administrator account!!!

1) Press Windows Logo key (

enter image description here
) and R key at the same time

2) type services.msc in the run dialog window

Opening Windows Services via Run command to stop the Windows Update service.
Microsoft Defender: No threats detected Scan details

3) locate Windows Update, right-click on it and select Stop

Opening Windows Services via Run command to stop the Windows Update service.
Microsoft Defender: No threats detected Scan details

4) locate Windows Installer, right-click on it and select Stop

stop windows installer.png
Microsoft Defender: No threats detected Scan details

5) locate Cryptographic Services, right-click on it and select Stop

stop cryptographic services.png
Microsoft Defender: No threats detected Scan details

6) locate Background Intelligent Transfer Service, right-click on it and select Stop

stop background intelligent transfer service.png
Microsoft Defender: No threats detected Scan details

7) Press Windows Logo key (

enter image description here

) and E key at the same time to open File Explorer, select View and mark Hidden items

file explorer show hidden items.png
Microsoft Defender: No threats detected Scan details

8) go to This PC > Local Disk > Windows

select this PC Local Disk Windows.png
Microsoft Defender: No threats detected Scan details

9) Rename SoftwareDistribution folder to SoftwareDistribution.old

rename SoftwareDistribution.png
Microsoft Defender: No threats detected Scan details

10) Go to This PC > Local Disk > Windows > System32 and rename catroot2 to catroot2.old

rename catroot2.png
Microsoft Defender: No threats detected Scan details

11) Restart those services that have been stopped at steps 3 to 6

12) Restart computer

Via Command Prompt (Fastest)

1) Open a Command Prompt as administartor

Command Prompt Admin.png
Microsoft Defender: No threats detected Scan details

2) run the following commands one at a time and press Enter after each of them

Code: 
net stop wuauserv
net stop msiserver
net stop cryptSvc
net stop bits
ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old
net start wuauserv
net stop msiserver
net start cryptSvc
net start bits
 

Last edited by a moderator:
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Neemobeer

Neemobeer

Windows Forum Team
Staff member
Member details
Joined
Jul 4, 2015
Messages
8,994
#2
Powershell version
Code: 
#RequireAdmin

Stop-Service @("wuauserv","cryptSvc","bits")

if(Test-Path "$($env:SystemRoot)\System32\SoftwareDistribution.bak")
{
    Remove-Item -Path "$($env:SystemRoot)\System32\SoftwareDistribution.bak" -Force
}

if(Test-Path "$($env:SystemRoot)\System32\catroot2.bak")
{
    Remove-Item -Path "$($env:SystemRoot)\System32\catroot2.bak" -Force
}

Rename-Item -Path "$($env:SystemRoot)\System32\SoftwareDistribution" SoftwareDistribution.bak
Rename-Item -Path "$($env:SystemRoot)\System32\catroot2" catroot2.bak
Start-Sleep -Seconds 1
Start-Service @("wuauserv","cryptSvc","bits")

Deleting the catroot2 certs isn't always required, but it doesn't really hurt anything.
 
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