how to Reset Windows Update Components

Question

how to Reset Windows Update Components

Harald Garpestad 45

How do I reset Windows Update Components in windows 11?

Locked Question. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

Ken Kuffell 0 Reputation points

2026-10-15T17:41:54.13+00:00

I have the same issue. I have tried all of the steps except running the official script Reset-WindowsUpdate.ps1 to reset all components automatically.

It is still stuck at Updates in progress, pending download for 3 updates and the download & install button is greyed out.
Vikki-T 14,390 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-10-16T13:12:04.3566667+00:00

Hi Ken Kuffell,

Thank you for sharing the details. Since the updates are still stuck and the Download & install button remains greyed out, I recommend avoiding any reset script unless it was downloaded directly from a verified Microsoft source.

Please first restart the computer and run the Windows Update troubleshooter through Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters > Windows Update > Run.

If the issue persists, go to Settings > System > Recovery and check whether Fix problems using Windows Update > Reinstall now is available. This option reinstalls the current version of Windows to repair system files and components while preserving your apps, files, and settings.
Ken Kuffell 0 Reputation points

2026-10-19T13:28:13.8066667+00:00

The windows Update Troubleshooter will not run.
Vikki-T 14,390 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-10-20T14:24:30.4733333+00:00

Hi Ken Kuffell,

Thank you for the update. When you select Run for the Windows Update troubleshooter, does nothing happen, does the Get Help app fail to open, or do you see an error message?

Since you have already reset the Windows Update components, please check Settings > System > Recovery > Fix problems using Windows Update and see whether Reinstall now is available. This repair reinstalls the current Windows version while preserving your applications, personal files, and settings.

If the option is unavailable or does not work, please share your Windows version and OS build by pressing Win + R, entering winver, and posting the displayed version/build number. Also let me know whether the computer is managed by a work or school organization.
Ken Kuffell 0 Reputation points

2026-10-20T16:53:35.63+00:00

I fixed it...... All of these recommendations did not work for me....

FIX:

Click the pause updates and then you can select resume. It started to check for updates again and then the downloads started.
Vikki-T 14,390 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-10-21T10:23:13.0133333+00:00

Hi Ken Kuffell,

Thank you so much for the update. I really appreciate you taking the time to share the outcome, it means a lot, and I’m very glad everything worked out smoothly in the end.

If you ever have any other questions or run into anything in the future, please feel free to post your question on the Microsoft Q&A Forum anytime. I’ll always be here and ready to assist you.

Answer accepted by question author

Habibur Rahman 85

net start bits

net start wuauserv

net start cryptsvc

0 comments

3 additional answers

Ken Kuffell 0 Reputation points

2026-10-15T17:41:54.13+00:00

I have the same issue. I have tried all of the steps except running the official script Reset-WindowsUpdate.ps1 to reset all components automatically.

It is still stuck at Updates in progress, pending download for 3 updates and the download & install button is greyed out.
Vikki-T 14,390 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-10-16T13:12:04.3566667+00:00

Hi Ken Kuffell,

Thank you for sharing the details. Since the updates are still stuck and the Download & install button remains greyed out, I recommend avoiding any reset script unless it was downloaded directly from a verified Microsoft source.

Please first restart the computer and run the Windows Update troubleshooter through Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters > Windows Update > Run.

If the issue persists, go to Settings > System > Recovery and check whether Fix problems using Windows Update > Reinstall now is available. This option reinstalls the current version of Windows to repair system files and components while preserving your apps, files, and settings.
Ken Kuffell 0 Reputation points

2026-10-19T13:28:13.8066667+00:00

The windows Update Troubleshooter will not run.
Vikki-T 14,390 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-10-20T14:24:30.4733333+00:00

Hi Ken Kuffell,

Thank you for the update. When you select Run for the Windows Update troubleshooter, does nothing happen, does the Get Help app fail to open, or do you see an error message?

Since you have already reset the Windows Update components, please check Settings > System > Recovery > Fix problems using Windows Update and see whether Reinstall now is available. This repair reinstalls the current Windows version while preserving your applications, personal files, and settings.

If the option is unavailable or does not work, please share your Windows version and OS build by pressing Win + R, entering winver, and posting the displayed version/build number. Also let me know whether the computer is managed by a work or school organization.
Ken Kuffell 0 Reputation points

2026-10-20T16:53:35.63+00:00

I fixed it...... All of these recommendations did not work for me....

FIX:

Click the pause updates and then you can select resume. It started to check for updates again and then the downloads started.
Vikki-T 14,390 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-10-21T10:23:13.0133333+00:00

Hi Ken Kuffell,

Thank you so much for the update. I really appreciate you taking the time to share the outcome, it means a lot, and I’m very glad everything worked out smoothly in the end.

If you ever have any other questions or run into anything in the future, please feel free to post your question on the Microsoft Q&A Forum anytime. I’ll always be here and ready to assist you.

Answer 1

Dear Harald Garpestad,

Thank you for reaching out to us. I completely understand how inconvenient update issues can be, and I’m here to make this as easy as possible for you.

Before we start, please also check the AI-generated suggestions in the first answer, they may include helpful tips alongside this guide.

If stopping the services doesn’t fully resolve the problem, here are some other options you can try.

Run Windows Update Troubleshooter

Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters, then run Windows Update troubleshooter.

Repair System Files

Open Command Prompt (Admin) and run:

sfc /scannow

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Use Microsoft Tools

Download and run Windows Update Assistant or Media Creation Tool from Microsoft.

PowerShell Script

You can also use the official script Reset-WindowsUpdate.ps1 to reset all components automatically.

After trying these steps, restart your computer and check Windows Update again. If the issue continues, please don't hesitate to let me know.

We truly appreciate your patience and trust in Microsoft.

If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".

Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

Vikki-T 14,390 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-12-03T12:56:46.75+00:00

Dear Harald Garpestad,

It has been a while and I am writing to see how things are going with this issue.

Have you had a chance to check the replies provided?

Any update would be appreciated.
Deleted

This comment has been deleted due to a violation of our Code of Conduct. The comment was manually reported or identified through automated detection before action was taken. Please refer to our Code of Conduct for more information.

Answer 2

To reset Windows Update components in Windows 11, follow these steps:

Open a Command Prompt: Select Start > Run, type cmd, and press Enter.
Stop the Services: Type the following commands and press Enter after each:
```
   net stop bits
   net stop wuauserv
   net stop cryptsvc
```

Delete the qmgr.dat Files: Run this command:

   Del "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\Microsoft\Network\Downloader\qmgr*.dat"

Rename Folders: Rename the following folders to *.BAK:
- %Systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore
- %Systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution\Download
- %Systemroot%\System32\catroot2 Use these commands:
```
   Ren %Systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore DataStore.bak
   Ren %Systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution\Download Download.bak
   Ren %Systemroot%\System32\catroot2 catroot2.bak
```

Reset Services: Type the following commands to reset the BITS and Windows Update services:

   sc.exe sdset bits D:(A;;CCLCLCR;;WD)S:(AU;ID;FA;WD)
   sc.exe sdset wuauserv D:(A;;CCLCLCR;;WD)S:(AU;ID;FA;WD)

Reregister BITS and Windows Update Files: You may need to run additional commands to reregister these files.
Reset Winsock: Run the following command:
```
   netsh winsock reset
```
Restart Services: Finally, restart the services with these commands:
```
   net start bits
   net start wuauserv
   net start cryptsvc
```

Following these steps should help reset the Windows Update components effectively.

Answer 3

Habibur Rahman 85

sc.exe sdset bits D:(A;;CCLCLCR;;WD)S:(AU;ID;FA;WD)

sc.exe sdset wuauserv D:(A;;CCLCLCR;;WD)S:(AU;ID;FA;WD)

Ken Kuffell 0 Reputation points

2026-10-15T18:00:13.02+00:00

What does this do?