Windows Can't Check For Updates Automatically

NoelDP said:

That's definitely a possibility - but the obvious question then becomes, how did it get hidden in the first place?

Grins that is the 64 $ question, I do have my suspicions

Yeah sorry for being a bit vague but that was exactly what I meant. Just go into the windows folder and change all the file attributes to 'Hidden' and then unhide right after. I found this solution from my searches on the issue last night but can't find the post now.

As for why the files were hidden in the first place.....I had a virus a month ago which supposedly hides all files on your system, and even though I managed to clean the virus, some files still remained hidden.

Question is:

1/ Why did windows update stop working NOW rather than a month ago when I had the virus?
2/ Do hidden files really cause windows update to stop working?

NoelDP said:

1) You may well still have residual infections - run a full scan of your system with both your (updated) AV, and with Malwarebytes Anti-malware (www.malwarebytes.org)
2) I don't think so - but I've never tested it that way

I agree that this is more likely related to an infection. However, as a test, I just hid my Windows folder in its entirety (except for those files which were in use and couldn't be hidden) and tried Windows Update, and it couldn't even search for updates, giving back a 0x80070005 (Access is Denied) error. Not very surprising really, but interesting nonetheless. Now to fix my computer (it wasn't on a VM or anything!).

Richard

Thanks, Kobe1976, for the fix!

I got a similar virus about a month ago which hid all of my files in an attempt to make me think my hard drive had crashed. The only thing visible on my computer was the virus generated pop ups coercing me to go to their website for the fix.

Luckily, Malaware was able to clean me most of the way up and I downloaded a utility from CNET which automatically unhid my files. Apparently, it missed a few! Running Avast! seemingly cleaned me up the rest of the way.

However, I never would've figured out the problem with Windows Update without your post!

Sorry to resurrect, but I don't see a "thank button". "Showing all files" in folder/search options, then right-clicking folder properties and unchecking "hidden" did the trick! Thank you.