Windows 10: Can't Stop Windows Update Service

Recently I was trying to update Windows to 2004 using the update menu in settings. It got stuck at 90% and wouldn't move. Eventually I restarted the computer. The update manager then was stuck with an Error Code 0x80080005. I attempted to fix this using the solution detailed in this thread

However attempting to run `net stop wuauserv` in an Administrator Command Prompt led to the error `The service is starting or stopping. Please try again later.`

Thus the next step to run `ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old` failed with `Access Denied`.


How can I stop the service to allow me to fix these directories?

Windows 10 Version 1909 Build 18363.959

:)

 

Windows Updates failed to instal

I'm not sure how differant XP media center Edition is but you could clear the history \ cache if these folders are there.

Step 1 Register DLL files.

=================

By trying this step, we can check if the update engines are working properly.



1. Close all instances of Internet Explorer.

2. Click Start and Run, type "Regsvr32 atl.dll" (without quotes) in the Open box and click OK.



Note: There is a space between regsvr32 and atl.dll



3. Similarly, one by one, register the files listed below:



Regsvr32 msxml3.dll

Regsvr32 wuapi.dll

Regsvr32 wuaueng.dll

Regsvr32 wuaueng1.dll

Regsvr32 wups2.dll

Regsvr32 wucltui.dll

Regsvr32 wups.dll

Regsvr32 wuweb.dll

Regsvr32 qmgr.dll

Regsvr32 qmgrprxy.dll

Regsvr32 jscript.dll



Note: If you encounter errors while registering any of these files then skip that file and continue with the next one.



If the issue persists, let's move on to the steps below to verify Windows Update services and temporary folders.



Step 2 Verify the relevant Windows Update services.

=========================================

1. Click Start->Run, type "services.msc" (without quotation marks) in the open box and click OK.

2. Double click the service "Automatic Updates".

3. Click on the Log On tab, please ensure the option "Local System account" is selected and the option "Allow service to interact with desktop" is unchecked.

4. Check if this service has been enabled on the listed Hardware Profile. If not, please click the Enable button to enable it.

5. Click on the tab "General "; make sure the "Startup Type" is "Automatic" or "Manual". Then please click the button "Stop" under "Service Status" to stop the service.

6. Then please click the button "Start" under "Service Status" to start the service.

7. Please repeat the above steps with the other services:



Background Intelligent Transfer Service

Event Log

Remote Procedure Call (RPC)



Note: Event log service is enabled on all of the hardware profiles; this service does not have an option to enable or disable on certain hardware profile.



If it still does not help, let's proceed to step 3.



Step 3 Reload the Update temporary folders.

===================================

One possible cause is that the temporary folder for Windows Update is containing corrupted files. Let's erase all the files there to get the system clean.



1. Click Start, Run, type: cmd and press Enter. Please run the following command in the opened window.



Net stop WuAuServ



2. Click Start, Run, type: %windir% and press Enter.

3. In the opened folder, rename the folder SoftwareDistribution to Sdold.

4. Click Start, Run, type: cmd and press Enter. Please run the following command in the opened window.



Net start WuAuServ



Please test the Windows Update website and let me know the result. If the issue persists, to clarify the issue and provide more accurate troubleshooting steps, please assist me in collecting the following information.

 

Windows Update - Service registration is missing or corrupt

Hi Nitya,

Upon analyzing the details and the troubleshooting steps you have done so far, we suggest that you
manually reset your Windows Update Components
by following these
troubleshooting steps:

• 
  Run
  Command Prompt as Administrator
  
• 
  Stop
  BITS, Cryptographic, MSI Installer and Windows Update Services. To do this,
  type the following command:
  
  • 
    Net stop wuauserv
    
  • 
    Net stop cryptSvc
    
  • 
    Net stop bits
    
  • 
    Net stop msiserver
    
• 
  Rename
  SoftwareDistribution
  and
  Catroot2
  folder. To do this, type the following commands:
  
  • 
    Ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
    
  • 
    Ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 Catroot2.old
    
• 
  Restart
  BITS, Cryptographic, MSI Installer and Windows Update Services. To do this,
  type the following command:
  
  • 
    Net start wuauserv
    
  • 
    Net start cryptSvc
    
  • 
    Net start bits
    
  • 
    Net start msiserver
    
• 
  Restart
  your computer and try to
  install Windows Update.
  

Update us on how it goes.

Regards

 

Vista Automatic Updating Error

Automatic Updates isn't currently running.