Windows Update is broken. You know it. The update fails, gets stuck, or throws a cryptic error code. The fix? Reset Windows Update components. This clears the corrupted cache, restarts stuck services, and gives Windows a clean slate to try again.
This guide walks you through every method, from a simple script to manual steps, so you can get updates working again today.
What Does “Reset Windows Update Components” Actually Mean?
Windows Update relies on several moving parts: services, folders, and registry entries. When any of these get corrupted or stuck, updates fail.
Resetting Windows Update components means:
- Stopping the update-related services (wuauserv, BITS, cryptsvc, msiserver)
- Renaming or clearing the corrupted update cache folders (SoftwareDistribution and Catroot2)
- Re-registering the DLL files Windows Update depends on
- Restarting all those services fresh
Think of it like restarting a frozen app, except the “app” here is buried deep in Windows system files.
When Should You Reset Windows Update Components?
You do not need to reset these components after every update hiccup. But these signs tell you it is time:
| Symptom | Likely Cause |
|---|---|
| Updates stuck at 0% or 100% | Corrupted SoftwareDistribution cache |
| Error codes like 0x80070002, 0x8024402F | Failed service or broken DLL |
| Windows Update page says “Something went wrong” | Service not running properly |
| Same update fails repeatedly | Cached bad download |
| Windows Update history shows failed installs | Partial or interrupted downloads |
If you see any of these, resetting the components is the right first move before trying anything more complex.
Method 1: Use the Automated Reset Script (Fastest Way)
This is the quickest method. Microsoft provides a troubleshooter, but it often misses things. A manual batch script is more reliable.
Step 1: Open Command Prompt as Administrator
- Press Windows + S
- Type cmd
- Right-click Command Prompt
- Click Run as administrator
- Click Yes on the UAC prompt
Step 2: Stop the Windows Update Services
Type each command and press Enter after each one:
net stop wuauserv
net stop cryptSvc
net stop bits
net stop msiserver
You will see a message saying each service stopped successfully. If a service was not running, that is fine too.
Step 3: Rename the Corrupted Cache Folders
These two folders hold downloaded update data. Renaming them forces Windows to rebuild them fresh.
ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 Catroot2.old
If you get an “Access Denied” error, the service is still running. Go back and stop it again.
Step 4: Re-register the Windows Update DLL Files
These DLL files handle update communication. Re-registering them fixes broken references.
regsvr32 atl.dll
regsvr32 urlmon.dll
regsvr32 mshtml.dll
regsvr32 shdocvw.dll
regsvr32 browseui.dll
regsvr32 jscript.dll
regsvr32 vbscript.dll
regsvr32 scrrun.dll
regsvr32 msxml.dll
regsvr32 msxml3.dll
regsvr32 msxml6.dll
regsvr32 actxprxy.dll
regsvr32 softpub.dll
regsvr32 wintrust.dll
regsvr32 dssenh.dll
regsvr32 rsaenh.dll
regsvr32 gpkcsp.dll
regsvr32 sccbase.dll
regsvr32 slbcsp.dll
regsvr32 cryptdlg.dll
regsvr32 oleaut32.dll
regsvr32 ole32.dll
regsvr32 shell32.dll
regsvr32 initpki.dll
regsvr32 wuapi.dll
regsvr32 wuaueng.dll
regsvr32 wuaueng1.dll
regsvr32 wucltui.dll
regsvr32 wups.dll
regsvr32 wups2.dll
regsvr32 wuweb.dll
regsvr32 qmgr.dll
regsvr32 qmgrprxy.dll
regsvr32 wucltux.dll
regsvr32 muweb.dll
regsvr32 wuwebv.dll
Each command opens a popup saying “DllRegisterServer succeeded.” Click OK or press Enter to dismiss.
Step 5: Reset Winsock
This resets the network configuration, which can also block Windows Update.
netsh winsock reset
netsh winhttp reset proxy
Step 6: Restart the Services
net start wuauserv
net start cryptSvc
net start bits
net start msiserver
Step 7: Restart Your Computer
After the restart, open Settings > Windows Update and check for updates again.
Method 2: Use the Windows Update Troubleshooter
This built-in tool handles basic resets automatically. It works for simple cases.
On Windows 11:
- Open Settings
- Go to System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters
- Find Windows Update and click Run
- Follow the on-screen prompts
- Restart when it finishes
On Windows 10:
- Open Settings
- Go to Update and Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters
- Click Windows Update > Run the troubleshooter
The troubleshooter resets basic services and clears some cache files. It does not do the full DLL re-registration that Method 1 does. Use it as a first attempt. If updates still fail, go to Method 1.
Method 3: Use the Microsoft Reset Script (One-Click Option)
Microsoft publishes an official script called the Windows Update Reset Script. You can download it from the Microsoft Support page for Windows Update errors.
This script automates all the steps in Method 1. It is useful if you do not want to type all those commands.
How to use it:
- Download the script from the Microsoft page
- Right-click the downloaded file
- Click Run as administrator
- Follow any prompts it shows
- Restart when it completes
Method 4: Manually Delete the SoftwareDistribution Folder
Sometimes renaming the folder is not enough. You need to delete it entirely and let Windows rebuild it.
Warning: Do not delete this folder while update services are running. Follow the steps carefully.
- Stop the services (same as Step 2 in Method 1)
- Open File Explorer
- Navigate to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution
- Select everything inside and delete it (not the folder itself, just its contents)
- Restart the Windows Update service:
net start wuauserv
- Check for updates
Windows will rebuild the SoftwareDistribution folder and re-download any pending updates.
Method 5: Run DISM and SFC to Fix System File Corruption
If the above methods do not work, your Windows system files might be corrupted beyond just the update components.
Run SFC first:
sfc /scannow
This scans and repairs protected system files. It takes 5 to 15 minutes.
Then run DISM:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
DISM connects to Windows Update servers to download replacement files. This fixes deeper corruption issues that SFC cannot handle alone.
After both complete, restart and try Windows Update again.
Common Windows Update Error Codes and What They Mean
| Error Code | Meaning | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| 0x80070002 | Missing system files | Run SFC and DISM |
| 0x8024402F | Cannot connect to update servers | Reset Winsock, check proxy |
| 0x80073712 | Corrupted update files | Delete SoftwareDistribution contents |
| 0x800705B4 | Update timed out | Reset components, check internet |
| 0x80070422 | Windows Update service disabled | Start wuauserv service manually |
| 0x8024200D | Corrupted download | Clear cache, retry update |
| 0xC1900101 | Driver compatibility issue | Update drivers before upgrading |
What Happens to Your Files When You Reset Windows Update Components?
Nothing bad. Your personal files, installed apps, and settings are not touched.
What gets cleared:
- Cached update downloads in SoftwareDistribution
- Temporary certificate data in Catroot2
These are working files Windows creates to process updates. They are not your data. Clearing them just means Windows downloads the updates fresh next time.
You do not lose any installed updates either. Those are already applied to the system.
Why Windows Update Components Get Corrupted
Understanding the cause helps you prevent it next time.
Interrupted updates: Shutting down or restarting mid-update is the most common cause. Windows writes partial data that cannot be completed later.
Antivirus interference: Some security tools block Windows Update files or mark them as suspicious. This corrupts the cache.
Disk errors: Bad sectors on your hard drive can corrupt any file, including update cache files.
Power failure: Sudden power loss during an update leaves partial data behind.
Software conflicts: Third-party apps that hook into system processes can interfere with update services.
How to Prevent Windows Update Issues in the Future
- Let updates finish fully before shutting down
- Do not force restart mid-update
- Keep at least 10 GB of free space on your system drive
- Temporarily disable third-party antivirus during major updates
- Run Disk Cleanup monthly to keep the system drive healthy
- Keep your drivers updated before doing major Windows upgrades
Resetting Windows Update Components on Windows Server
The same steps apply to Windows Server 2016, 2019, and 2022. The services, folder paths, and DLL files are identical.
One extra step for Server environments: make sure Windows Update is not managed by a Group Policy or WSUS server. If it is, your local reset will work, but the policy might revert the settings on next login.
Check with your system administrator before resetting update components on a domain-joined server.
Summary
Resetting Windows Update components fixes most update failures fast. Here is the short version:
- Stop four services: wuauserv, bits, cryptSvc, msiserver
- Rename SoftwareDistribution and Catroot2 folders
- Re-register the update DLL files
- Reset Winsock
- Restart the services
- Reboot and check for updates
If that does not fix it, run SFC and DISM to repair deeper system file corruption. For most people, the manual method above resolves the issue in under 10 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will resetting Windows Update components delete my installed updates?
No. Installed updates are already baked into your Windows system files. Resetting the components only clears the update cache and temporary files. Your current system state stays exactly the same.
What if the SoftwareDistribution folder comes back corrupted again?
This usually means a deeper problem like bad disk sectors or antivirus interference. Run a disk check with chkdsk /f /r and scan with your antivirus. Then delete the folder contents and retry.
Can I reset Windows Update components without Command Prompt?
Yes. The Windows Update Troubleshooter in Settings does a basic version of this automatically. But for serious errors, the manual Command Prompt method is more thorough and reliable.
How long does it take for Windows Update to rebuild after a reset?
The SoftwareDistribution folder rebuilds in seconds. But downloading the actual updates depends on their size and your internet speed. Expect 10 to 60 minutes for a full update cycle after a reset.
Is it safe to rename SoftwareDistribution instead of deleting it?
Yes, and it is actually the safer option. Renaming keeps the old folder as a backup. If something goes wrong, you can rename it back. Once updates work fine after the reset, you can delete the old renamed folder to free up space.
