Unable to use Windows Updates, access is denied when attempting to enable it

  • Hi there and welcome to PC Help Forum (PCHF), a more effective way to get the Tech Support you need!
    We have Experts in all areas of Tech, including Malware Removal, Crash Fixing and BSOD's , Microsoft Windows, Computer DIY and PC Hardware, Networking, Gaming, Tablets and iPads, General and Specific Software Support and so much more.

    Why not Click Here To Sign Up and start enjoying great FREE Tech Support.

    This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn More.
  • Hello everyone We want to personally apologize to everyone for the downtime that we've experienced. We are working to get everything back up as quickly as possible. Due to the issues we've had, your password will need to be reset. Please click the button that says "Forgot Your Password" and change it. We are working to have things back to normal. Emails are fixed and should now send properly. Thank you all for your patience. Thanks, PCHF Management
Status
Not open for further replies.
try doing the chkdsk with the PC booted into Safe Mode.
and no, you don't have to create a MS account to create a new user profile.
I honestly could not tell you the thousands of user accounts/PC's I have made have never created a MS account.
as to the Admin account, you type in Administrator in the username field but you will need to now the password.

honestly, with the multiple facets of this issue, and your other one, I'd be taking the opportunity to backup my data and reload the latest Win10 from scratch.
you'll kill many birds with the one stone, have the PC back to speed as when first made and have a backup of your data as well.
 
Last edited:
Bruce said:
try doing the chkdsk with the PC booted into Safe Mode.
and no, you don't have to create a MC account to create a new user profile.
I honestly could not tell you the thousands of user accounts/PC's I have made have never created a MS account.
as to the Admin account, you type in Administrator in the username field but you will need to now the password.

honestly, with the multiple facets of this issue, and your other one, I'd be taking the opportunity to backup my data and reload the latest Win10 from scratch.
you'll kill many birds with the one stone, have the PC back to speed as when first made and have a backup of your data as well.
Click to expand...

If I backed up my data, what all would be backed up? and what all would I lose?
 
backup your Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Videos, Music and Pictures folders.
also grab your emails and browser bookmarks.
anything else is probably just candy - like web forms, history etc.
if you want to save all your entered password from your browser, copy the entire profile folder.
all software will need reloading from the install CD or from a web download.
you're going to lose all personal settings, tweaks, customisations and the like - things that can't be backed up.
some things you don't want to backup, after-all we are trying to start from a clean slate here.
 
  • Like
Reactions: phillpower2
Bruce said:
backup your Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Videos, Music and Pictures folders.
also grab your emails and browser bookmarks.
anything else is probably just candy - like web forms, history etc.
if you want to save all your entered password from your browser, copy the entire profile folder.
all software will need reloading from the install CD or from a web download.
you're going to lose all personal settings, tweaks, customisations and the like - things that can't be backed up.
some things you don't want to backup, after-all we are trying to start from a clean slate here.
Click to expand...

I want this issue resolved, but not at the expense from starting scratch. I have a lot of stuff installed that I use on a daily basis. There has got be a workaround to not being able to update windows 10 on my own computer. This is insane.
 
insane or not, we are all at the mercy of Windows.
you either play the game or jump to Lunix, but in my experience you'll just be swapping one problem with another.

I've got nothing else to add sadly - for me, I'd be doing the 'nuke from space' approach. I'd know then that I have a clean slate and can work things out from that.

my advice is simply my suggestion - you are completely free to use it (or not) as you like. (y)
 
  • Like
Reactions: phillpower2
Evan Omo said:
I would update your Windows 10 build to version 20H2 and that will resolve the pesky Windows Update problem since your version that you are on is 2 versions behind anyway. Download the Media Creation Tool and update your build of Windows 10 and have it keep all your settings and programs so you don't have to do a clean install of Windows 10.
Click to expand...

THANK YOU!! That did the trick. However, I have not tested my windows update to see if it throws an error or not. I will try this later after restarting my PC to see if said error is fixed when trying to update.
 
Evan Omo said:
I would update your Windows 10 build to version 20H2 and that will resolve the pesky Windows Update problem since your version that you are on is 2 versions behind anyway. Download the Media Creation Tool and update your build of Windows 10 and have it keep all your settings and programs so you don't have to do a clean install of Windows 10.
Click to expand...

After doing what you said, later on I wanted to test it was working. So I checked for updates via settings/windows update and it was attempting to install some. At some point it threw an error. Figured I'd try again the next day. Now it's saying this:

538a1a6e0b061f759885e0ae9f93cebd.png

https://gyazo.com/538a1a6e0b061f759885e0ae9f93cebd

When I do the troubleshooter, I get

e7afd83b5eb5cc595ac5b7955f9fd757.png

https://gyazo.com/e7afd83b5eb5cc595ac5b7955f9fd757

It's an endless loop of a service is not running, run troubleshooter, try again.
 
Is there anywhere which states which update service isn’t running?
Have you tried resetting the Windows update service?
Open cmd prompt/powershell with admin & enter:
Net Stop bits
Net Stop wuauserv
Net Stop appidsvc
Net Stop cryptsvc
Ren %systemroot%SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.bak
Ren %systemroot%system32catroot2 catroot2.bak
Net Start bits
Net Start wuauserv
Net Start appidsvc
Net Start cryptsvc
Restart the PC & try updating again.
If this fails/doesn’t correct the problem then click start, run, type regedit & click enter & find: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate
Try deleting the entries WUServer and WIStatusServer in the right pane if they’re there, if they’re not don’t worry.
 
Bastet said:
Is there anywhere which states which update service isn’t running?
Have you tried resetting the Windows update service?
Open cmd prompt/powershell with admin & enter:
Net Stop bits
Net Stop wuauserv
Net Stop appidsvc
Net Stop cryptsvc
Ren %systemroot%SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.bak
Ren %systemroot%system32catroot2 catroot2.bak
Net Start bits
Net Start wuauserv
Net Start appidsvc
Net Start cryptsvc
Restart the PC & try updating again.
If this fails/doesn’t correct the problem then click start, run, type regedit & click enter & find: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate
Try deleting the entries WUServer and WIStatusServer in the right pane if they’re there, if they’re not don’t worry.
Click to expand...

Where would I see what service isn't working? Thus far it hasn't told me. I will try this stuff tonight and get back with you.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I could only suggest Services (under the old control panel) & check to see if anything within Security or DEfender isn’t running.
 
answers.microsoft.com

Solution to ‘Windows Update cannot currently check for updates, because the service is not running. You may need to restart your computer’. Dec 2017

I have seen many people experiencing the problem of ‘Windows Update cannot currently check for updates, because the service is not running. You may need to restart your computer’. Today, 11th Dec
answers.microsoft.com
docs.microsoft.com

Configure the Application Identity service

This article for IT professionals shows how to configure the Application Identity service to start automatically or manually.
docs.microsoft.com
support.microsoft.com

Error 1058 is displayed when a service suddenly stops - Windows Client

Provides a solution to an error that occurs when a service suddenly stops.
support.microsoft.com
 
Bastet said:
answers.microsoft.com

Solution to ‘Windows Update cannot currently check for updates, because the service is not running. You may need to restart your computer’. Dec 2017

I have seen many people experiencing the problem of ‘Windows Update cannot currently check for updates, because the service is not running. You may need to restart your computer’. Today, 11th Dec
answers.microsoft.com
docs.microsoft.com

Configure the Application Identity service

This article for IT professionals shows how to configure the Application Identity service to start automatically or manually.
docs.microsoft.com
support.microsoft.com

Error 1058 is displayed when a service suddenly stops - Windows Client

Provides a solution to an error that occurs when a service suddenly stops.
support.microsoft.com
Click to expand...

No dice. I'm on Windows 10 and the control panel does not have anything about windows update. What's so weird to me, the update service is still apparently able to look for updates, but can't update. I'm still running into this issue as well.

8cf54183cb5078fe2af814f62634a036.png

https://gyazo.com/8cf54183cb5078fe2af814f62634a036

It still does not let me do anything here. If I try to set startup type, it says denied. This is flipping stupid. I am literally the administrator, so WHY? Who has access then?
 
That should be set to manual & be running in the background - mine is.
Do you have Win 10 Pro? Check under Group Policy to see if it’s been disabled that way if not then you may have. Malware infection or had one which has disabled updates.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top Bottom