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

 

[CymruNix]

Grrrr... This is just horsesh1te.

I have re-read that link for failed updates. The update I mentioned in my first post is still failing to install, both via WU, and manual install. I followed the instructions to disable WU and change it's settings and services to then reboot and attempt manual installation. I've done that multiple times. No luck. So, boll*x to it, ignoring it and moving on.

Since then I have a load of Updates/Security Updates for Windows Vista, Update Agent, Vista SP1 (manually installed), various .NET Framework updates, and a load of other updates.

Then the fun started, again. That ruddy update came back up, so I tried to install it, again multiple times via WU and manually. Fat chance, constant failing. After a few more updates installed, Vista SP2 popped up, but refused to download properly or install. Manually installed instead, perfect.

After installation of Vista SP2 was successful, to ensure everything was ok, I rebooted twice, and shut-down then cold booted twice more, just to make sure everything was performing nicely, it WAS.

Now I am seriously p!ss3d.

WU said Update Agent needs updating as soon as I ran WU, so I let it continue. After successful installation. Jack Sh1t3. Checking for updates goes nowhere, it sits there for hours, "checking", with no result, nothing.

I have relaxed security settings and temporarily disabled both firewall and anti-virus, re-started numerous times, also shut down then cold booted the computer multiple times, disabled router multiple times, ran option 1, and option 3 multiple times, NOTHING, WU still saying I haven't updated, so I check for updates, each time it still sits there for hours "checking for updates".

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Have you reviewed post #2 here
Windows Update will not update and I've tried multiple fixes

 

[CymruNix]

Yes, I have used the information to attempt installation of the update from my first post, multiple times, but it doesn't work. I have used it successfully to install SP2 (which wouldn't install from WU, but manually it has).

The KB's referenced in that post are "Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2", I am using Windows Vista Home Premium, which has now been updated to SP2. I have run option 1, and option 3 from this thread, they have cleared the history, but I still can't get WU to do anything other than "checking for updates".

Other than doing a System Restore to some point last week, or wiping the hard drive and starting all over again, which for either case is a butt-pain, and seriously time consuming to get back to the point in updates and software I'm currently at, I'm about ready to pull my hair out in frustration.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Post this info on a new question if you would be so kind
Windows Genuine and Activation Issue Posting Instructions

Windows Update Posting Instructions

 

[S Camelus]

I bought a refurbished Dell Latitude E6410 and Windows Update didn't work.

Resetting the Windows Update history did the trick on the first bounce. Thanks!

 

[Brink]

I'm glad it could help S Camelus, and welcome to Seven Forums.

 

[KernelChikn]

nike

Ladies and gents: this works. Brink: good job.

 

[Brink]

Welcome to Seven Forums KernalChikn.

 

[Callender]

FYI: Zone Alarm Firewall interferes with windows update repairs if running script that includes stopping Cryptographic Services.



Truevector Internet Monitor cannot be easily manually shut down and prevents scripts from stopping Cryptographic Services.

The answer is to exit Zone Alarm Firewall before running the script.

 

[JamesEJ]

fter this reset method failed,$M MR.Fixit now unavailable.

Did the Option 3 combo but when on one Win7x64 shutdown $M update install did not work, tried to find the suggested $M Fixit tool to use but its not available it seems. Any ideas guys? Thanks Jim

 

[Brink]

Hello Jim,

I found a direct download link below for it from Microsoft to help.

:ar: http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9665683

 

[JamesEJ]

Thanks Bud! Ran it and its named title was "easy fix 50202". Went to win7 updates and it was cleaned out. So I am gonna
wait and let $M do its own thing on trying to provide missing updates. Will be in touch, Jim

 

[Gravitytr1]

I just wanted to thank you for this article. Saved me so much extraneous hassle! Doing good in this world.

 

[Brink]

I'm glad it could help Gravitytr1.

 

[RockFox]

I found a very easy fix for:
Fix: Windows 7 Update stuck on "Checking for updates"

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki/windows_7-update/fix-windows-7-update-stuck-on-checking-for-updates/ad6cfeef-232a-49b4-a57b-39978eea6630?auth=1



This article shows you how to fix the "Checking for Updates" loop on Windows 7.

Why this problem occurs

Inside Windows Update, there is a small piece of software called an agent. The agent contacts Microsoft's servers and downloads any available updates.

In order to function properly, the agent on your computer must be the same version as the one on Microsoft's servers, otherwise your computer will not be able to communicate with the servers. Several months ago, Microsoft updated its servers, causing any Windows 7 machines with the old agent to fail when trying to connect. This incompatibility between computer and server causes Windows Update to get stuck.

 

[Ex_Brit]

The Windows Update Troubleshooter does, I assume. basically the same thing as these reset bats? As none helped. The latest KB4083118 keeps wanting to install and nothing fixes it except simply hiding it.

April 10, 2018—KB4093118 (Monthly Rollup)
Applies to: Windows 7 Service Pack 1 & Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1

 

[Brink]

Hello Peter,

The .bat files in this tutorial are a bit more thorough than the troubleshooter.

The issue with KB4083118 appears to be from installing KB4093113.

April 17, 2018 - KB4093113 (Preview of Monthly Rollup) Windows 7 - Windows 7 Help Forums

April 10, 2018 - KB4093118 (Monthly Rollup) Windows 7 - Windows 7 Help Forums

So far, just hiding KB4083118 is the solution.

Windows Update - Hide or Restore Hidden Updates - Windows 7 Help Forums

 

[Ex_Brit]

Strange.....I wish I knew what was going on at MS as they seem to be slipping badly in recent years. at least in the apology department.
Thanks

 

[Brink]

 

[Snugglebugs]

I used the Reset_Full batch file and it executed OK. But after Restart, I still got the "unknown error" message when running Windows Update. See screenshot.
I have looked at the posts that mention that error code, but none of them seems to be relevant. Update used to work, but this is what I have been doing before it failed:

I had XP on a drive that was getting very cranky! (XP, not the drive!) I used a full Win 7 DVD install disc to upgrade XP to Win 7 and after all the usual steps, Update found about 169 updates needed. I clicked to go ahead and after it finished and restarted I got a message that 168 were not needed.

I went to IE to search for an explanation and IE8 told me that it was out of date and I needed IE11. I then found the install file for IE11, installed it and restarted. When trying Update again I got a similar failure/error message and it hasn't worked since

I have tried: sfc scan, memory diagnostics, Start up repair from the repair menu on the DVD and all three steps on this tutorial. Nothing works, although much of the Win 7 installation does work.

What next?

Tony