How to Reset Windows Update (Step-by-Step Guide)

If you’re struggling with failed downloads, stuck updates, or error codes, it might be time to reset Windows Update. This process clears out corrupt files, restarts vital services, and rebuilds update components to restore smooth operation. Here’s a simple, step-by-step guide anyone can follow.

Step-by-Step Guide to Reset Windows Update

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator

Start by launching an elevated command prompt:

• Press Windows + S, type cmd
  
• Right-click Command Prompt > choose Run as administrator
  
• Click Yes when prompted by UAC
  

This gives you access to system-level commands.

2. Stop Windows Update Services

These services must be paused to avoid interference during the reset:

net stop wuauserv

net stop cryptSvc

net stop bits

net stop msiserver

Wait for each command to confirm it stopped the service successfully.

3. Rename Update Cache Folders

These folders store temporary data used by Windows Update. Renaming them forces Windows to create new ones:

ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old

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

This is safe. Nothing is deleted, and Windows will regenerate the folders.

4. Re-register Windows Update DLL Files (Optional)

This refreshes essential update-related components:

regsvr32 /s wuapi.dll

regsvr32 /s wuaueng.dll

regsvr32 /s wups.dll

regsvr32 /s wups2.dll

regsvr32 /s wuwebv.dll

regsvr32 /s wucltux.dll

Run each line individually and make sure no error is displayed.

5. Restart Windows Update Services

Now bring the services back online:

net start wuauserv

net start cryptSvc

net start bits

net start msiserver

This completes the manual reset process.

6. Restart Your Computer

Reboot your PC to finalize all system changes and clear any lingering cache.

7. Optional: Use the Windows Update Troubleshooter

Windows also offers a graphical troubleshooter that automatically fixes common update issues.

On Windows 11:

• Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters
  
• Find Windows Update > Click Run
  

On Windows 10:

• Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters
  
• Select Windows Update > Click Run the troubleshooter
  

Follow the prompts and apply any recommended fixes. If you’re missing the Check for Updates button entirely, this guide on how to restore missing Check for Updates in Windows can help.

8. Bonus: Use PowerShell to Reset Automatically

Prefer automation? Here’s a PowerShell script that does it all in one go:

Stop-Service -Name wuauserv, cryptSvc, bits, msiserver -Force

Rename-Item -Path "C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution" -NewName "SoftwareDistribution.old" -Force

Rename-Item -Path "C:\Windows\System32\catroot2" -NewName "catroot2.old" -Force

Start-Service -Name wuauserv, cryptSvc, bits, msiserver

To run it:

• Open PowerShell as Administrator
  
• Paste and execute the script
  

This is ideal if you frequently troubleshoot updates. For more complex issues, consider following this detailed walkthrough on how to repair Windows Update components.

Why This Works

Resetting Windows Update clears corrupted cache files, restarts services that may be frozen, and reinitializes update settings. It also helps:

• Fix error codes during updates
  
• Remove failed or partial downloads
  
• Resolve registry-level issues with update components
  

If you’re encountering persistent errors, see this list of common bugs in Windows Update and how to fix them.

FAQs

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🧩 Conclusion

Resetting Windows Update is a reliable way to fix persistent update errors, stuck downloads, and service failures. By following this step-by-step guide, you can clear corrupted cache files, restart essential components, and restore the update system to full functionality. Whether you prefer the manual method or the automated PowerShell script, this process is safe, reversible, and often the quickest fix for most Windows update issues.