Windows 10: Windows Update - Pause updates acting strangely

I am seeing the most bizarre problem with Windows 10, Settings/Update & Security/ Windows Update. I am on version 2004 19041.264, but I have seen this for several releases now and it has not gone away. I went to the latest that's not Fast Ring in order to see if some problem got fixed or at least reset properly, and it did not. This is a version of Window 10 running under Parallels v. 15.1.4 (latest version), if that makes a difference. Parallels has not updated in some time, maybe a month or two.

The problem is this - whenever I go into Windows Update, it says, "Updates paused". Today the message continues, Updates will resume on 5/21/2020." I click the resume Updates button, it checks for updates which there may or may not be any (like the anti-virus signature file), nd then it completes it's check. But if I go back later, "Updates paused" again shows! AND, the date it will resume - today, May 21 - is rolling out day by day! It's possible I have caused this by trying things, but for sure I cannot get "Updates Paused" to turn off.

Note too, I have never paused updates intentionally. Just one day, it appeared.

I have tried:
1. Restart Windows
2. Check for registry location and Policy where this is set, that I could change it (everything in the Windows Update section of gpedit.msc is set to 'not configured')
3. Tried clicking so it becomes "Check for Updates", and immediately restart
4. Done a reset of sorts from the Windows Support page:
net stop bits net stop wuauserv ren %systemroot%\softwaredistribution softwaredistribution.bak ren %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 catroot2.bak net start bits net start wuauserv
5. Checked for failed updates that might be causing problems - none
6. Tried setting Advanced Options/Pause Updates, and pick tomorrow's date and see if it says at the day and then in a day the problem is cleared - it does not - it goes back to the day 7 days out!
7. I tried through gpedit to disable the ability to set Updates Paused through the UI - I did disable it, and then I re-enabled it after a restart - the problem immediately reappeared on a second restart after Updates Paused was enabled.
8. I have posted on Windows Insider - no response.

I am at a loss how to fix this. does anyone have any ideas, I would be eternally grateful! Thanks!

:)

 

Windows Update - Pause updates acting strangely

When you pause updates a number of new REG_SZ values are created in Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings which should be deleted after successfully resuming updates. Maybe one or more of your is stuck? If so, try manually deleting any you find.

For reference, here is my registry (1909, 18363.836) with update pause for 7 days...





...and after successfully resuming updates.

 

Windows Update - Pause updates acting strangely

Wow so here you go! I went about 3-4 hours, bringing up Windows Update and it was fine each time. On a hunch, I did a restart - brought it up, and look - it's now in Pause, and the values are added to the Registry. This is so bizarre, how is this happening?

 

Windows Update - Pause updates acting strangely

Ah - that's what I was looking for, thanks @Bree! I checked mine, shown here - currently, with Pause showing as Off, mine looks like yours I believe - the difference appears to only be the 5 Pause.... entries are present or missing, for Paused/Not Paused; and my system does not current have them. I'll check periodically throughout the day and report back, if I see it go to Pause again I'll check the Registry. But at least right now the Registry is correct I think!





- - - Updated - - -

Oops one difference I see - you have UxOption as 2, I have 0. I did some searching, I don't see the values explained. Do you know what they mean @Bree ?