Windows Update Issues

Automatic Update Service

Patch Management for Windows uses the Windows Update Agent (wuauserv service) when scanning for Microsoft patches. The service displays Windows Update.

The wuauserv service is enabled by default and should start automatically on all Operating Systems, however if the service is disabled or not installed then the Windows Update Agent is not invokable and Patch Management for Windows will fail to detect any Microsoft patches.

  1. Logon to the device
  2. Press Windows key + R
  3. Type services.msc and press Enter/Return
  4. Right click on Automatic Updates or Windows Update (wuauservservice), in the Services console
  5. Select Properties
  6. If the Startup type: is Disabled change this to Automatic
  7. Click OK to save and apply and restart the service to apply

Windows Update Agent

Where the wuauserv service is configured correctly, there may be a problem with the Windows Update Agent itself. For example, a component is missing or its COM interface is unregistered.

There are three actions that can be taken which should alleviate the issue:

  • Perform a Windows Update scan of the local machine, this usually resolves this type of issue. Open the Windows Update console and click Check for updates
  • Reset Windows Update components See http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058 to reset Windows Update components.
  • Reinstall Windows Update Agent: See r http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949104 to obtain the latest version of the Windows Update Agent to help manage updates on a compute

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