Cannot start Windows Update Service after it was Disabled - Access Denied

[gigaday]

My problem is as above.

I followed instructions from a similar post https://www.tweaking.com/forums/index.php/topic,6751.msg48702.html#msg48702 Re: Can`t install latest Windows 10 update KB5000842.

But am still stuck. The "ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old" failed with Access Denied and none of the services mentioned could be restarted.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Tony

[Boggin]

What is that TrueVector Internet Monitor ?

[Boggin]

I've found that is part of ZoneAlarm so that could be causing the access denied.

Can you disable either that or ZoneAlarm and try your updates again.

[gigaday]

Thanks, the "ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old" is now good.

With ZoneAlarm stopped I can now start all the services except net start wuauserv.

Tony

[Boggin]

I assume you are using Win 10 ?

Open a Command Prompt (Admin) or Powershell (Admin) and enter these cmds -

dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth

sfc /scannow

shutdown /r /t 00

Then see if that service will start after the reboot.

You may want to see if there any Definition updates for ZoneAlarm to see if the services are still started with it enabled.

[gigaday]

Sorry, I should have said - Win10.

I have uninstalled ZoneAlarm and re-booted. Still can't start wuauserv.

There is also a Windows Update Medic Service WaaSMedicSvc. I disabled this at the same time as wuauserv - WaaSMedicSvc does not start either.

Tony

[Boggin]

Can you perform those cmds I suggested and then see how things are after the reboot.

[gigaday]

Yes, I did all of what you suggested. All the services started afterwards except wuauserv.

Tony

[Boggin]

Can you open a Command Prompt (Admin) or a Powershell (Admin) and enter these cmds -

You can copy & paste them.

net stop wuauserv

net stop cryptSvc

net stop bits

net stop msiserver

ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old

ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old

net start wuauserv

net start cryptSvc

net start bits

net start msiserver

shutdown /r /t 00

See if that service reports as starting.

[gigaday]

Thanks Tom.

I have run through all this again with the same results - net start wuauserv does not start the service, all the other services are OK.

Do you have any other ideas?

Tony

[Boggin]

Do you get any error messages/codes when it fails to start ?

You could try the trouble shooter -

Settings → Update & Security → Troubleshoot → Windows Update → Troubleshoot → Additional troubleshooter and click on the Windows update troubleshooter from the list then click on the button ?Run the troubleshooter?. It will automatically detect the problem and fix it for you.

[gigaday]

I tried the Troubleshooter before - does not report a problem and still doesn't.

Message when attempting to start attached.

I have discovered that there are two registry keys that control wuauserv and WaaSMedicSvc; both of these are set to 4 for Disabled in the Registry and I do not have the knowledge to change them there as they are controlled by Registry Permissions.

Tony

[gigaday]

Tom

Somewhat unbelievably I have found what seems to be the solution to my problem  - Windows Update Blocker v1.6 Freeware https://www.sordum.org/9470/windows-update-blocker-v1-6/

It turns Windows Update on and off with single clicks!! I ran Windows Update for the first time in several months and everything is now up-to-date and updates turned off again for now.

Thank you so much for your help. I am a Tweaking Pro version user and I use it a lot and will add Sordum.org to my go to suppliers.

Tony

[Boggin]

Thanks for the update and that you have found the cause, but I would leave Windows updates enabled as Win 11 is to be released from 5th Oct.