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How to set up and use Windows Update Troubleshooter.

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How to Set Up and Use Windows Update Troubleshooter

The Windows Update Troubleshooter is a built-in tool in Windows that helps users diagnose and resolve issues related to Windows Update. If you're experiencing problems with Windows updates, such as failed installations or update errors, using the Windows Update Troubleshooter can be an effective way to identify and fix the underlying issues. In this tutorial, we'll learn how to set up and use Windows Update Troubleshooter effectively.

Table of Contents

Accessing Windows Update Troubleshooter

To access the Windows Update Troubleshooter, you can follow these steps:

  1. Press the Windows key on your keyboard or click on the Start button.
  2. Type "Troubleshoot" and click on the Troubleshoot settings option from the search results.
  3. In the Troubleshoot settings window, locate and click on the Additional troubleshooters link.
  4. Scroll down to find the Windows Update section and click on it.

Running Windows Update Troubleshooter

Once you've accessed the Windows Update Troubleshooter, follow these steps to run it:

  1. Click on the Run the troubleshooter button.
  2. Windows will start detecting problems related to Windows Update.
  3. Wait for the troubleshooter to complete the scanning process. This may take a few minutes.
  4. After the scan, the troubleshooter will display any identified problems and potential solutions.

Troubleshooting Windows Updates

When the Windows Update Troubleshooter finishes scanning for problems, it will present a report indicating the issues and their status. Depending on the results, you can take different approaches:

  • Fixed: If any issues were found and successfully resolved, you can now try to re-run Windows Update to check if the problem is resolved.
  • Not Fixed: If the troubleshooter couldn't fix an issue, you may need to try alternative methods like manual troubleshooting or seeking help from Microsoft support.

Advanced Troubleshooting Steps

If the basic Windows Update Troubleshooter does not resolve your Windows Update issues, you can try the following advanced troubleshooting steps:

1. Clear Windows Update Cache

To clear the Windows Update cache, you need to stop the Windows Update service and delete the temporary files. Here's how:

  • Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
  • Type "services.msc" and press Enter to open the Services window.
  • Scroll down and locate the Windows Update service.
  • Right-click on it and select Stop.
  • Open File Explorer and navigate to the following directory:
    • C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution
  • Delete all the content within the SoftwareDistribution folder.

2. Reset Windows Update Components

If clearing the Windows Update cache didn't resolve the issue, you can reset the Windows Update components. Here's how:

  • Open the Command Prompt as an administrator. To do this, right-click on the Start menu and select Command Prompt (Admin).
  • In the Command Prompt window, type the following commands one by one, pressing Enter after each command:
    • net stop wuauserv
    • net stop cryptSvc
    • net stop bits
    • net stop msiserver
  • After stopping the services, you need to rename the software distribution and catroot2 folders. Execute the following commands:
    • ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
    • ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old
  • Finally, restart the stopped services using the following commands:
    • net start wuauserv
    • net start cryptSvc
    • net start bits
    • net start msiserver

Final Thoughts

Windows Update Troubleshooter is a useful tool for diagnosing and fixing Windows Update-related issues. Running the troubleshooter and following the advanced troubleshooting steps mentioned above can help you resolve most common update problems. If the issue persists, seeking further assistance from Microsoft support or Windows communities can provide additional guidance. Remember to regularly check for Windows Updates to keep your system secure and up to date.