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Windows Update

Automatically keep software up-to-date

Announcements

  • How do I know if I have the Latest Version of the Windows Update Client and how do I get the latest client if it is not?

    Bobby MikkelsonMSFTWednesday, June 03, 2009 12:46 AM

    Having the latest Windows Update client installed is important in helping to keep your computer up-to-date and secure by downloading and installing the latest security and feature updates from Microsoft.

    The Windows Update client is utilized on the following Microsoft Operating Systems:

    Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, and Windows 2000

     

    The Windows Update client is usually updated automatically when checking for updates, there may be situations where this may not happen. Some known situations are if you have updates set to manual and you haven’t checked for updates in a while, or if Windows Update is disabled or not running on your computer.

    To find out if you have the latest version of Windows Update you can check the version number of the Windows Update Engine (wuaueng.dll), or just download and install the latest version.

     

    To check the Windows Update version on your computer follow the steps below:

    For Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008:

    1.       Click Start and type wuaueng.dll in the Start Search area.

    2.       Hover your mouse pointer over the wuaueng.dll file listed in the Programs area and view the File version in the File description popup

    3.       Compare the file version with the version listed in KB article 949104

    For Windows 2000 Server, Windows XP and Windows Server 2003:

    1.       Click Start, Run and type %windir%\system32 and click Ok

    2.       Hover your mouse pointer over the wuaueng.dll file and view the File version in the File description popup

    3.       Compare the file version with the version listed in KB article 949104

     

    To see what the latest available version is or to download and install the latest version click the link below and scroll about half way down. You’ll see a download option and also the current version number to compare with the version on your system.

    949104 How to obtain the latest version of the Windows Update Agent to help manage updates on a computer

     

    Windows Update FAQs:

    Why should I be using Windows Update?

    Using Windows Update is a great way to keep your computer up-to-date with all the latest updates without the need to download and install those updates manually.  Updates for security, reliability, performance, drivers and feature updates are continuously delivered through Automatic Update and installed automatically.

     

    How do I opt in for Automatic Update and/or Microsoft Update?

    Opting in to Automatic Update and Microsoft Updates is easily done using the Windows Update control panel. To get the steps to turn on Automatic Updates and even switch Microsoft Updates click the link below appropriate for your operating system:

     

    Learn about Windows Update and Microsoft Update in Windows Vista

    Learn about Windows Update and Microsoft Update in Windows XP

     

    What are the differences between Windows Updates, Automatic Updates, and Microsoft Updates?

     

    While Windows Update provides you with updates specifically for Windows, Microsoft Update expands the service to download and install updates for other Microsoft software, such as Microsoft Office and Windows Live. Automatic updating is a feature that allows you to set your PC to automatically download and install updates using either service, making it easy and convenient for you to keep your Windows PC current.

     

    What are the benefits of opting in to Microsoft Update?

    Opting into Microsoft Update allows for the downloading and installing of Microsoft Office updates as well as other updates for Microsoft programs that would otherwise need to be downloaded manually.

     

    Get answers to other Frequently Asked Questions by clicking the following link:

    Windows Update Frequently Asked Questions

  • Automatic Updates may be disabled

    Bobby MikkelsonMSFTWednesday, June 03, 2009 12:50 AM

    Recent issues have been seen where you might get 3 specific errors on different Windows-based computers when trying to download or install updates from Windows update or Microsoft Update. Some of these errors messages are:

     

    On Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows server 2003

    “Windows Update has encountered an error and cannot display the requested page. The necessary service "Automatic Updates" (WUAUSERV) is not started or Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) is disabled. “Error 0x8DDD0018

     

    On Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008

    “The server cannot find the requested URI (Uniform Resource Identifier)” Error 0x80244019

    -Or-

    “The service cannot be started, either because it is disabled or because it has no enabled devices associated with it.” Error 0x80070422

     

    You might attempt to restart the start the services but they may be disabled again the next time you rebooted the computer. You may simply not be able to start others.

     

    INTRODUCTION

    The error codes above are usually caused because of problems with one or more of the services needed by Windows Update. The services could have been mistakenly stopped or disabled or they could have been disabled by Virus or Malware infections. Some of the scenarios that lead to these errors can include disabling the Automatic Update service, the Windows Update service, the Event Log service, the Software Licensing Service or even the Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS). The services can even be in a state where you’re not allowed to enable the service or the service is disabled again each time you reboot.

     

    APPLIES TO

    These issues apply to the following operating systems:

    Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, and Windows 2000 Service Pack 4

     

    DESCRIPTION/BODY

    To fix the problem you should first scan your computer for viruses and malware infections. Once any infections have been found and removed you should make sure that the services are enabled and started and then you should be able to download and install Updates.

    Here are some options available for doing this:

     

    Download and run the Malicious Software Removal Tool (MSRT):

     MSRT is a Microsoft tool that detects and removes malicious software from your system on a regular basis. You can use the links below to download and run the tool directly:

     

    To download the 32-bit version of Malicious Software Removal Tool, click here.

    To download the 64-bit version of Malicious Software Removal Tool, click here.

     

    For more information on the Malicious Software Removal Tool click the link below to view the article on the Microsoft web site.

    KB890830 The Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool helps remove specific, prevalent malicious software from computers that are running Windows Vista, Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, Windows XP, or Windows 2000

     

    Reboot your computer into Safe Mode and then scan your system for possible Virus or Malware infections:

    If you have an Antivirus application on your computer you should make sure it has the most up to date virus definitions installed (these can usually be updated from within that software), then scan your computer for and remove any viruses. A preferred method would be to scan for viruses after booting into Safe Mode.

     

    If you do not have an antivirus program installed, you can use the free Windows Live safety scanner to perform a scan of your computer. To run the Windows Live safety scanner click the link below to visit the Microsoft web site.

    http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/default.htm

    For more information on how to run the free Windows Live OneCare Safety Scanner in Safe Mode view the click the link below to visit the Microsoft web site.
    968091 How to install the free Windows Live OneCare Safety Scanner and then scan your computer in Safe Mode

    Verify that necessary services are configured correctly and running and then attempt to install updates again:

     

    1.       Launch the Services Console

    a.       In Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 Click Start, click Run, type services.msc, and then click OK

    b.       In Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 Click Start, type services.msc in the Start Search text area, and then click services.msc in the programs list.

    2.       Double-click Background Intelligent Transfer Service.

    3.       In the Startup type box, click Manual, and then click Apply.

    4.        On the Log On tab, verify that the service is enabled in every hardware profile that is listed

    5.       On the General tab, click Start.

    6.       Repeat steps 2-5 for the following services only set the Startup Type as Automatic:

    ·         Automatic Update or Windows Update (Depending on your OS)

    ·         Event Log or Windows Event Log (Depending on your OS)

    ·         Software Licensing Service (Windows Vista and Server 2008 only)

    7.       Close the Services window and attempt to install Windows updates again.

     

    RELATED LINKS

    An article is available that gives very detailed steps to troubleshoot these issues:

    959894 Error message: “The necessary service "Automatic Updates" (WUAUSERV) is not started or Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) is disabled. Error 0x8DDD0018” or Error codes 0x80244019 or 0x80070422 when attempting to install updates.

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12345678910 ... 102103>>(Showing 1 to 20 of 2054)
RepliesViews
 
  • 2135

    Windows update Error 0x80070005

    none
    Kim - Support EngineerMSFTThursday, July 02, 2009 7:01 PM
    Last Reply Kim - Support EngineerMSFTFriday, July 03, 2009 3:30 PM
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  • 3487

    [Microsoft Fix it] How do I reset the Windows Update settings?

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    Vincenzo Di RussoMVPFriday, May 15, 2009 6:17 AM
    Last Reply shake a puddin Thursday, July 02, 2009 5:07 PM
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  • 484205

    A one-click fix for Windows Update problems

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    Steve AlterMSFTTuesday, May 26, 2009 3:55 PM
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  • 11369

    Please read: Information about Service Pack 2 for Windows Vista and for Windows Server 2008

    none
    Vincenzo Di RussoMVPWednesday, May 27, 2009 12:19 PM
    Last Reply Vincenzo Di RussoMVPSaturday, June 13, 2009 5:56 AM
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  • 124

    pictures

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  • 125

    Vista upgrade to new harddrive

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    Marty Ellis 8 hours 24 minutes ago
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  • 120

    Automatic updates vista sp1 now cannot boot windows

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  • 6514

    Configuring updates. Step 3 of 3. Please do not turn off your computer...".

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    duked48 Wednesday, December 31, 2008 11:17 PM
    Last Reply Sukanya kan 47 minutes ago
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  • 017

    Windows Media Center

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    bpalmers 1 hour 5 minutes ago
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  • 023

    window updates not able to be installed

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    minieac 2 hours 34 minutes ago
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  • 11688

    Problems with 5/12/09 Update

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    Diantor Sunday, May 17, 2009 3:16 AM
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  • 2336

    windows defender error 0x8000106ba

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    lovely2040 Wednesday, May 27, 2009 10:45 PM
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  • 018

    Error code 80070057 when trying to update

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    janette gale 3 hours 19 minutes ago
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  • 019

    Is this Trace Route Normal? Access to Microsoft Downloads and Windows Update blocked by Charter, Google, et. al.

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    Live MG 5 hours 20 minutes ago
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  • 017

    Security Update for Microsoft XML Core Service Pack 2 (KB954430)

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    Eubenne 5 hours 44 minutes ago
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  • 444

    Vista boots to no screen after auto update

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    bhaskett Friday, July 03, 2009 1:56 PM
    Last Reply bhaskett 5 hours 55 minutes ago
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  • 249

    Cannot open email attachments since downloading "suggested updates"

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    Chenelia4 Wednesday, July 01, 2009 5:38 PM
    Last Reply Chenelia4 5 hours 57 minutes ago
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  • 036

    windows updates says i am not connected to the internet

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    jam2325 6 hours 17 minutes ago
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  • 024

    svchost.exe application error

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    0407 mike 8 hours 24 minutes ago
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  • 037

    Windows updates

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    leonadro 9 hours 19 minutes ago
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