How can I repair Windows Update on Windows 7?

Question

I can't run Windows Update, although I periodically see the icon in the system notification tray.  When I try from Control Panel, I get the following message:

[Window Title]

::{26EE0668-A00A-44D7-9371-BEB064C98683}\5::{36EEF7DB-88AD-4E81-AD49-0E313F0C35F8}\pageSettings

[Content]

Windows cannot find '::{26EE0668-A00A-44D7-9371-BEB064C98683}\5::{36EEF7DB-88AD-4E81-AD49-0E313F0C35F8}\pageSettings'. Make sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again.

[OK]

Please help...

Steven

Answer 1

I can't run Windows Update, although I periodically see the icon in the system notification tray.  When I try from Control Panel, I get the following message:

[Window Title]

::{26EE0668-A00A-44D7-9371-BEB064C98683}\5::{36EEF7DB-88AD-4E81-AD49-0E313F0C35F8}\pageSettings

[Content]

Windows cannot find '::{26EE0668-A00A-44D7-9371-BEB064C98683}\5::{36EEF7DB-88AD-4E81-AD49-0E313F0C35F8}\pageSettings'. Make sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again.

[OK]

Please help...

Steven

Get the System Update Readiness Tool (save it) and right-click on it and "Run as Administrator". Choose the right one for you:

• All supported x86-based (32-bit) versions of Windows 7
• All supported x64-based (64-bit) versions of Windows 7

Let it run/fix things.

Reboot.

Try updating.

If it is still failing, attempt this next:

Reset your Windows Update Components with this FixIt:How do I reset Windows Update components?

Reboot.

Try updating.

If it still fails, try this...

1. Start an elevated command prompt.
2. Run the following commands hitting enter after each line:

net stop wuauserv cd %systemroot% ren SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old net start wuauserv 3. Reboot 4. Try updating.

**Important** The following issues occur when you do this:

• Updates that are currently downloaded but that have not yet been installed have to be downloaded again by using Windows Update or Microsoft Update.
• When you delete the Software Distribution folder, your download history is removed.
• If you currently receive updates from Microsoft Update and from Windows Update, you will have to re-select this option from the Windows Update Web site.

**Note** If the issue is resolved and you can successfully download and install updates, you can safely delete the SoftwareDistribution.old directory to recover disk space.

STILL failing? We have something else to try...

Use this FixIt:

How to obtain the latest version of the Windows Update Agent

Reboot.

Register the WU components:

1. Start an elevated command prompt.
2. Run the following commands hitting enter after each line:

regsvr32 Jscript.dll regsvr32 wuapi.dllregsvr32 wuaueng.dll

Reboot.

Try updating.

If it still fails after that - repeat this part ONCE more...

Reset your Windows Update Components with this FixIt:How do I reset Windows Update components?

Reboot.

Try updating.

Come back and let everyone know how you faired.

Answer 2

There is no "Run As Administrator" entry when I right-click.

Answer 3

There is no "Run As Administrator" entry when I right-click.

You are running Windows 7?  UAC enabled?  (Default.)

It is unusual, but no unheard of, not to have Run as Administrator.  It's not necessarily a bad thing, but als not necessarily a good thing.

It doesn't stop you from trying the above - especially if you are one that disabled UAC.  Just run the above without the "Run as Administrator" option first.

If you did not disable UAC, then you may have other things to look at.

Answer 4

There is no "Run As Administrator" entry when I right-click.

You are running Windows 7?  UAC enabled?  (Default.)

It is unusual, but no unheard of, not to have Run as Administrator.  It's not necessarily a bad thing, but als not necessarily a good thing.

It doesn't stop you from trying the above - especially if you are one that disabled UAC.  Just run the above without the "Run as Administrator" option first.

If you did not disable UAC, then you may have other things to look at.

I am running Windows 7 UAC enabled.  I have Run as Administrator on other, I think, executable files.  I don't think it shows up on non-executable files.

I ran the file without Run as Administrator and the program stopped with an error:

---

Windows Update Standalone Installer

---

Installer encountered an error: 0x80040154

Class not registered

---

OK  

---

Answer 5

Hi,

Method 1:

You may try performing SFC (System File Checker) scan on your computer and check if the issue still persists. To view how to perform the SFC Scan click on the link provided below and follow the Kb article steps.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929833

Method 2:

Unregister and re-register Windows Installer following the steps mentioned below:

a) Click Start, click Run, type MSIEXEC /UNREGISTER, and then click OK. Even if you do this correctly, it may look like nothing occurs.

b) Click Start, click Run, type MSIEXEC /REGSERVER, and then click OK. Even if you do this correctly, it may look like nothing occurs, or you may briefly see an hourglass. After you run this command, the operation is complete.

Method 3:

Check if Windows installer service is started.

a) Click ‘Start’, type ‘services.msc’ and hit Enter.

b) Locate “Windows Installer” and check if the service is started.

c) If not ‘Start’ the service.