Windows 7: Windows Update options grayed out - is this new?

Painter · 05 Sep 2016

I just noticed that Windows Update options are grayed out in the drop down menu. I checked group policy and it is set to 'let me choose' which is what is displayed on the WU screen. I can modify it in group policy to something else but I can not change it to anything else on the Windows Update screen.

Last month I had to do a manual install of the latest kernel update so I changed WU to Never Check (it was obviously working then). After the installation was successful I re-enabled WU to 'let me choose'. It was not grayed out after I reset it. This is the only change I have made recently in WU.

Should I run the Windows Update Repair or is this something that Microsoft has just recently implemented and I missed the announcement?

ThrashZone · 05 Sep 2016

Hi,
I haven't noticed anything being changed like that
Settings are still switchable as usually were.
Look at you history to see what else was installed.
Anything Optional/ recommended updates wise or just important updates installed lately ?

Callender · 05 Sep 2016

That's normal if you've used software that over-rides WU default settings.

Greyed out options. Check and delete the following:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU

additionally on a 64bit machine delete:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU

Only delete the AU subkeys.

Reboot.

EDIT: Don't forget to reapply settings after reboot.

Painter · 05 Sep 2016

Quote: Originally Posted by Callender

That's normal if you've used software that over-rides WU default settings.

Greyed out options. Check and delete the following:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU

additionally on a 64bit machine delete:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU

Only delete the AU subkeys.

Reboot.

EDIT: Don't forget to reapply settings after reboot.

I was looking around to see if it was a new thing and found another post similar so I thought something must be up. I was wrong and the other poster got their problem fixed using this same link. I will try it too. Tnx Callender.

Callender · 05 Sep 2016

Could also be due to applying group policy settings to block GWX (I think) but there's no need for that currently.

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate]
"DisableOSUpgrade"=dword:00000001

Painter · 05 Sep 2016

Hey it worked. If I could buy you a beer, I would.

I took a look at Group Policy and every thing for Windows Update is set to Not Configured (default), except the one to block new OS upgrades. It is enabled. Callender, you might be onto something there.