Windows Update - Reset

How to Reset Windows Update in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8​

   Information

This will show you how to reset Windows Update view update history, and how to reset and re-register Windows Update Components if you are having a problem updating with Windows Update.

OPTION ONE

To Only Reset Windows Update History

   Note

Resetting Windows Update using this option will clear the view update history details list (cache).

This will not actually uninstall any of your currently installed Windows Update. They will just not be listed anymore. Any new Windows Update installed after the reset will show up in the view update history list as normal though.

1. Click/tap on the Download button below to download this file below.
Reset_Windows_Update_History.bat


Download


2. Save the .bat file to your Desktop.

3. Right click or press and hold on the downloaded .bat file, and click/tap on Run as administrator.

4. If prompted by UAC click/tap on Run, then Yes/Continue (if administrator) or type in administrator's password (if standard user).

5. You will now see an elevated command prompt open and run. When it's finished, it will close automatically.

6. If opened, close and reopen Windows Update to verify that it has been reset.




7. Resetting the Windows Update history will also restore the default language packs being listed in Windows Upate again in the Windows 7 Ultimate and Enterprise editions after you check for updates next.

OPTION TWO

To Reset and Re-register Windows Update Components

NOTE: This option is the Windows version of: How do I reset Windows Update components?. It will reset Windows Update Components and re-register the BITS files and the Windows Update files to help fix Windows Update errors. This option will not clear the view update history details list as it does in OPTION ONE above.
1. Click/tap on the Download button below to download this file below.
Reset_Reregister_Windows_Update_Components.bat


Download


2. Save the .bat file to your Desktop.

3. Right click or press and hold on the downloaded .bat file, and click/tap on Run as administrator.

4. If prompted by UAC click on Run, then Yes/Continue (if administrator) or type in administrator's password (if standard user).

5. You will now see an elevated command prompt open and run. When it's finished, it will close automatically.

6. Restart the computer afterwards to apply.

7. If this still does not help, then run the Microsoft Fix it tool here:
How do I reset Windows Update components?

See also: Unable to install updates in Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2

OPTION THREE

To Reset and Re-register Windows Update Components AND Reset Update History in One Easy Click

   Note

This option combines OPTION ONE and OPTION TWO above in one .bat file.

1. Click/tap on the Download button below to download this file below.
Reset_Windows_Update_Full.bat


Download



2. Save the .bat file to your Desktop.

3. Right click or press and hold on the downloaded .bat file, and click/tap on Run as administrator.

4. If prompted by UAC click/tap on Run, then Yes/Continue (if administrator) or type in administrator's password (if standard user).

5. You will now see an elevated command prompt open and run. When it's finished, it will close automatically.

6. Restart the computer afterwards to apply.

7. If this still does not help, then run the Microsoft Fix it tool here:

Download



How do I reset Windows Update components?

See also: Unable to install updates in Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2
That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

---

• Windows Update Error 80246008 in Windows 7 - Fix
• How to Create a "Windows Update" Shortcut in Windows 7
• How to Change the Windows Update Settings in Windows 7
• How to Enable or Disable Windows Updates from Automatically Restarting the Computer
• How to Uninstall a Windows Update in Windows 7
• How to Hide or Restore Hidden Windows Updates in Windows 7 and Windows 8
• How to Create a Installed Windows Updates Shortcut in Windows 7
• How to Create a Windows Update Troubleshoot Shortcut in Windows 7
• How to Enable or Disable Uninstalling Windows Updates in Windows 7
• How to Enable or Disable Access to Windows Updates in Windows 7
• How to View Windows Update History Details in Windows 7 and Windows 8
• How to Reset the Common Log File System (CLFS) Logs
• How to Enable or Disable the Windows Update "Who can install updates" Setting
• How to Download the Standalone MSU Installer File of a Windows Update
• How to Restore Default Services in Windows 7
• How to Trace what Windows Update a Manifest File Originated From
• How to Use DISM to Fix Component Store Corruption in Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012

 

[scorzeze]

hi brink and thanks for the reply.
i didnt uninstall norton but managed to use a solution i found while trawling the forums and it worked a treat.
basically i updated the intel storage driver using the solution posted in another thread on the forum.
many thanks though for your help and all the excellent tutorials i have used on this site.
fwiw,this seems to be a common problem caused after installing a new hdd.
thanks and regards.
scorzeze.

 

[Brink]

That's great news scorzeze. Thank you for posting back with your results and solution.

 

[gtza]

Windows update cannot check for updates because the service is not run

Hi guys

I get the above error when I run Windows update, and I can't find a solution. I've tried all options on the front page of this thread, and reinstalled my intel rapid storage drivers. I don't know if it is related but I had a Corsair SSD as my primary, but this has never caused problems before.

Any ideas?

Many thanks.

 

[Brink]

Hello gtza, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Double check to make sure that both the Background Intelligent Transfer Service and Windows Update services are listed and set to Started and Automatic (Delayed Start).

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2495-services-start-disable.html

Hope this helps for now,
Shawn

 

[gtza]

Hi brink

Thanks.

None of those services are listed....

 

[Brink]

In that case, use the tutorial below to restore those services, then use OPTION THREE in the tutorial on the first page to reset Windows Update again to see if that may help.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/236709-services-restore-default-services-windows-7-a.html

 

[gtza]

Hi brink

I added the two reg file for each service and rebooted, but the services are still not listed...

I'm not 100% certain what you are referring to option 3?

Thanks

 

[Brink]

Option 3 on the first page of the tutorial thread we are in now.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/91738-windows-update-reset.html

Were you logged in as an administrator when you merged the .reg files?

Do you have an English copy of Windows 7 installed?

Could you post screenshots showing where they should be listed in Services to see if they may help reveal anything?

 

[gtza]

Option 3 on the first page of the tutorial thread we are in now.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/91738-windows-update-reset.html

Were you logged in as an administrator when you merged the .reg files?

Do you have an English copy of Windows 7 installed?

Could you post screenshots showing where they should be listed in Services to see if they may help reveal anything?

Ok, tried option 3 and same problem.

Yes I am admin, and copy is english.

I have attached 2 screenshots, showing the 2 services missing.

G

 

[Brink]

In that case, you could do a repair install to fix this instead.

 

[ddckylec]

Thank you, the "Reset_Windows_Update_History.bat" worked!

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome ddcklec, and welcome to Seven Forums. I'm glad to hear it was able to help.

 

[suprra]

Option 2 fixed our problem, tyvm

 

[KingInTheNorth]

BIG THANKS!!!

After about 12 hours of diligently seeking (Via many trial and error Feaux fixes) a solution to the dreaded BITS service wont start ... therefore Windows Update (Win 7 Home Premium 64 Bit) won't start I had the good fortune of stumbling upon your EXE file to reset and re register Win update and BITS and my frustration has been alleviated. I'm usually not big on filling out a bunch of info but couldn't let the good deed go unPUNished ... haha ... now I know where to come for answers right off the bat and might just increase my knowledge base while I'm at it ... Thanks again for the tutorial ... problem solved and just DLed 10 fresh much needed important/optional updates .... HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!!!

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome suprra and KingInTheNorth, and welcome to Seven Forums.

 

[Charlieb000]

undo and allow discrimination

hmm.
how do i undo this destruction? (actually it may have fixed it)
i had four failed updates because the 32bit vista machine wouldnt keep them on and would uninstall them. so i got mad and pulled the plug when it was going to remove them. i think i may have had faulty memory and now fixed that. after rerunning windows update, every time it tells me files are in use by the system: after i tell it to check for updates it would say "restart your computer to install important updates" with a handy button, after reboot, same message. your "fix" removed all the records and not the error >> now it seems to have worked, maybe it needed a reboot, play with the update service or something. three of the four failed updates are in the list for retry.

i dont know what was in that folder, but maybe you didnt need to remove it, just perhaps edit. the four updates were "pending" before the erease, perhaps record of those four only needed erasure. (at least keep the successful ones!)


Charlie.

UPdate,
Firstly, i dont think removing the ram stick worked (though after a reboot, 50+% of the time the DELL bios would give an error about the memory, it was much more rare in normal system use - hence why i left it in there), but what did was doing each category independantly.
Second. now that i am getting the updates completed, if i look in the "view update history", i am getting duplicates, one failed, one success. I have the feeling it has something to do with this fix of yours. It has no negative effect on the download list.


An unusual side note: i was using my computer with the update service (and many other unnecessary services) turned off. while i was trying to find what services made it work i spotted something strange, down the bottom, I saw "Get updates for other (null) products" it actually had me mystified as to what type of product. now i see "microsoft" does this mean that MS may be considering a name change or that they will accept non-MS product updates in Windows Update?

 

[Pack88]

Shawn Job well Done

Hey Shawn that little program you wrote is awesome. A friend sent me the 130 odd lines of code necessary to fix the issue but your little program was soo easy! Thanks a million
Pack88

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome Pack88, and welcome to Seven Forums. I'm glad it was able to help.

 

[rbstoltz]

Windows 7 "Review your update history" page empty

About 3 days ago all the hidden updates magically appeared when performing a Windows Update and I promptly hide them again. Today when running a Windows Update it finished without any updates (not the issue), but when moving to the page "View update history" it is now showing no updates. Accessing the "Installed Updates" on the "Windows Update" page will result in showing all updates installed by category.

Now I have read all the posts on the discussion "Windows Update - View Update History Details" and was wondering if these "options" still apply and are these the correct fix to show the update hsitory through the "View update history link"? Thank you, your time and help are greatly appreciated!

 

[Brink]

Hello Bob,

Using OPTION ONE or OPTION THREE in the tutorial would clear the "View update history".

If your history has been cleared, then the only way to restore it would be to do a system restore using a restore point (if available) dated before it was cleared.

Hope this helps,
Shawn