Windows 10: Failure to Repair Windows Update Components

I've had issues trying to get windows to update to the 1803 service pack. After another round of the update installing and restarting my computer, only for it to hang on restart until it undoes the update, I decided to try and troubleshoot the problem to see if I could get it resolved.


Troubleshooting gave me an 'Potential Windows Updated Database Error detected' message, which led me to this guide and performing every possible fix up to and including the clean boot: https://blog.pcrisk.com/windows/13032-potential-windows-update-database-error-detected


After clean boot and troubleshooting again the error thankfully went away, only another took its place: 'Windows Update components must be repaired'. Which led me to this guide: https://www.thewindowsclub.com/windows-update-components-must-be-repaired-error-on-windows-10, which provided more or less the exact same sequence of steps to try fixing the issue as the previous guide. As a final step however, it suggested I try to manually reset the windows update component to default using this guide: https://www.thewindowsclub.com/manually-reset-windows-update-components


My problem arises here, as one of the steps involves deleting the qmgr*.dat files, presumably to force Windows to reset these Windows update components. Only these qmgr files exist nowhere on my computer. Running "dir /s /a /b /p C:\qmgr*.dat" only returns "File Not Found".


As an addendum, since restarting my computer in 'clean boot' mode I'm getting a command prompt window flashing every couple of seconds (literally, I counted) trying to execute 'C:\WINDOWS\SysWOW64\sc.exe'. Attached is a screenshot of the command prompt, sorry for the poor quality but it really does only open for a fraction of a second. I think I've noticed this command window pop open and close on previous system restarts. But it usually only occurs once immediately on startup. I'm assuming this might have something to do with window updates and I'm hoping that resolving the issue I posted about will fix this one as well.

:)

 

UPDATE COMPONENTS REPAIR

Hello,

Thank you for posting your query on Microsoft Community.

I would appreciate if you can provide us the following information to help us understand the issue better.

• Did you make any changes in prior to this issue?
• Are you getting this error message " windows update components must be repaired" ?

I would suggest you to follow the methods given below and check.

Method 1: Run Windows Update Troubleshooter.

Refer:

Windows Update Troubleshooter

If issue still persists try method 2,

Method 2:

I would suggest you “Manually reset Windows Update components"
from the below link:

Windows Update - Additional resources

Note: This section, method, or task contains steps that tell you how to modify the registry. However, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps
carefully. For added protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up and restore the registry, click the following article number to view the article in
the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

How to back up and restore the registry in Windows

Hope this information is helpful. Please do let us know if you need further assistance with Windows.

 

Windows Update keeps failing!

Hi,

I had once a similar issue like yours, i.e. not able to update Windows 7. What I did to solve the problems is:

- go to control panel, then to "Troubleshouting" > "System and Security" > "Fix problems with Windows update" > click "Advanced" > choose "Apply repairs automatically".

And Windows will start detecting the issues and will repair "Windows update components". The problems should be fixed now, close the program, restart the PC, and see if the mentioned steps have fixed the problems you mentioned.

Hope it works for you.

Good luck!

 

Repairing Windows XP can Break Windows Update

Microsoft/Windows Update Program Manager Nate Clinton has revealed that repairing a Windows XP installation using the Windows XP CD can potentially lead to users being unable to install updates when using the latest version of Windows Update. The problem, which does not appear to be widespread, occurs because the Windows XP CD replaces all system files, including those of Windows Update. Because the latest version of Windows Update uses a file which is not present on the Windows XP CD this causes a registry mismatch which can result in Windows Updates failing. So if you have recently run a repair install on Windows XP it is recommended that you either take a look at KB article 943144, check here for a workaround or contact Microsoft.

Source: Windows Vista Team Blog