Windows 2016 Services displays wuauserv instead of "Windows Update"

cpc-tr 1 Reputation point
2022-08-11T12:45:22.05+00:00

Soon after upgrading a Windows 2012 server vm to 2016, Windows services literally shows wuauserv instead of Windows Update in the list of services. 230418-wuauserv.jpg

The service will load, but it seems kind of odd. Can I safely change the DisplayName value under HKLM\CurrentControlSet\Services\wuauserv in the registry?

I'm also having trouble getting SCCM client to reinstall, so maybe related but too early to say. The server is in a domain and gets no errors from gpupdate. Working my way through the sccm problem, so may post again about that.

Windows for business | Windows Server | User experience | Other
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  1. Anonymous
    2022-08-11T13:58:19.537+00:00

    An in-place upgrade is never recommended. This is likely a side effect. You could try editing the registy DisplayName but one has to wonder what else is broken? Should look like this

    230521-image.png

    --please don't forget to upvote and Accept as answer if the reply is helpful--

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  2. cpc-tr 1 Reputation point
    2022-08-11T14:57:49.347+00:00

    I changed the service name with the sc config command. Also managed to get SCCM working, so I'm all set. If I see other problems, I'll consider a fresh installation. Tx.


  3. cpc-tr 1 Reputation point
    2022-08-12T12:41:57.357+00:00

    I appreciate the responses, but as I wrote yesterday, I fixed the display name using the sc config command. Specifically:

    sc config wuauserv DisplayName= "Windows Update"

    DSPatrick, notice that the example you posted has an even wierder display name than what I had. You might want to fix that. :-D

    Thanks, all.


  4. cpc-tr 1 Reputation point
    2022-08-12T15:33:11.457+00:00

    This thread is becoming surreal. SC config is not some antiquated or deprecated function.
    https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/sc-config

    As I have explicitly stated twice, it worked as intended.

    230715-winupdate.jpg

    This is my last post on the subject.


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