How to Reset Windows Update Components on Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

Windows Update components are critical files and services in Windows 11 that manage the process of checking for, downloading, and installing updates, including security patches and feature enhancements. These updates are essential for maintaining system security, stability, and performance. However, issues like corrupted update files, misconfigured services, malware, or third-party software interference can cause Windows Update to fail, get stuck during downloads, or trigger system instability. Resetting Windows Update components clears corrupted files, restarts related services, and allows Windows 11 to start the update process anew.

Why Reset Windows Update Components?

Resetting Windows Update components helps address issues like corrupted system files, incorrect settings, malware interference, or damaged update files that prevent Windows from functioning properly.

• Update Failures: Updates fail to install with error codes (e.g., 0x80070002).
• Stuck Downloads: Updates remain stuck at a certain percentage during download.
• System Instability: Corrupted update files cause slowdowns or crashes.
• Service Errors: Windows Update services (e.g., BITS) malfunction or stop running.
• Cache Corruption: The SoftwareDistribution folder contains outdated or corrupted files.

By resetting these components, you clear problematic files, restart essential services, and ensure Windows 11 can download and install updates correctly.

Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter

First, we’ll use the built-in “Windows Update Troubleshooter” tool, offered by Microsoft, which helps you figure out the problem and reset the Windows Update component automatically. The troubleshooter automatically resets misconfigured update components, restarts services, and clears minor cache issues, making it an easy first step for most users.

• Press Win + I to open the Settings app.
• Go to System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
• Locate Windows Update and click Run.

The troubleshooter will run and attempt to identify if any problems exist that prevent your computer from downloading and installing Windows Updates. Wait for the process to complete. Restart your PC and go to Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates to verify if the issue is resolved.

Clear the Windows Update Cache Manually

The SoftwareDistribution folder stores temporary update files, which can become corrupted and cause update failures. Clearing this cache forces Windows 11 to download fresh update files.

Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter. Locate the following services, right-click each, and select Stop.

• Windows Update
• Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS)
• Cryptographic Services

Note: Stopping these services prevents file access conflicts while clearing the cache.

• Open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution.
• Select all files and folders (e.g., Download, DataStore) and delete them. If prompted for administrator permission, grant it.
• Note: Deleting these files is safe, as Windows will recreate them when needed.

Return to the Services window. Right-click Windows Update, BITS, and Cryptographic Services, and select Start for each.

• Go to Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates.
• Windows will download fresh update files and attempt to install them.

Reset Windows Update Components via Command Prompt

For deeper issues, manually resetting all Windows Update components using Command Prompt ensures all services, registry keys, and folders are restored to their default state.

Press Win + S, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator. Run the following commands to stop essential update services

• net stop wuauserv
• net stop bits
• net stop cryptsvc
• net stop msiserver

This stops Windows Update, BITS, Cryptographic Services, and Windows Installer services.

Run these commands to rename the update folders, forcing Windows to recreate them:

• ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
• ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old

Note: The Catroot2 folder stores update signatures, and renaming it resolves signature-related errors.

Run the following commands to re-register essential DLL files used by Windows Update:

• regsvr32.exe /s atl.dll
• regsvr32.exe /s urlmon.dll
• regsvr32.exe /s mshtml.dll
• regsvr32.exe /s shdocvw.dll
• regsvr32.exe /s browseui.dll
• regsvr32.exe /s jscript.dll
• regsvr32.exe /s vbscript.dll
• regsvr32.exe /s scrrun.dll
• regsvr32.exe /s msxml.dll
• regsvr32.exe /s msxml3.dll
• regsvr32.exe /s msxml6.dll
• regsvr32.exe /s actxprxy.dll
• regsvr32.exe /s softpub.dll
• regsvr32.exe /s wintrust.dll
• regsvr32.exe /s dssenh.dll
• regsvr32.exe /s rsaenh.dll
• regsvr32.exe /s gpkcsp.dll
• regsvr32.exe /s sccbase.dll
• regsvr32.exe /s slbcsp.dll
• regsvr32.exe /s cryptdlg.dll
• regsvr32.exe /s oleaut32.dll
• regsvr32.exe /s ole32.dll
• regsvr32.exe /s shell32.dll
• regsvr32.exe /s initpki.dll
• regsvr32.exe /s wuapi.dll
• regsvr32.exe /s wuaueng.dll
• regsvr32.exe /s wucltui.dll
• regsvr32.exe /s wups.dll
• regsvr32.exe /s wups2.dll
• regsvr32.exe /s wuweb.dll
• regsvr32.exe /s qmgr.dll
• regsvr32.exe /s qmgrprxy.dll
• regsvr32.exe /s wucltux.dll
• regsvr32.exe /s muweb.dll
• regsvr32.exe /s wuwebv.dll

The /s flag runs these commands silently to save time.

Run the following commands to reset Winsock and Proxy Settings

• netsh winsock reset
• netsh winhttp reset proxy

This resets network settings that may interfere with update downloads.

Now run the following commands to restart the Services (stopped previously)

• net start wuauserv
• net start bits
• net start cryptsvc
• net start msiserver

That’s all, now go to Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates. Restart your PC once updates are installed successfully.

This comprehensive reset addresses all aspects of Windows Update, including services, folders, DLLs, and network settings, making it highly effective for persistent issues.

Install Windows Update manually

If resetting components doesn’t resolve the issue, manually installing updates bypasses the Windows Update service, ensuring you receive critical patches.

• Visit the Windows 11 update history webpage, where you can see the logs of all the previous Windows updates that have been released.
• For the most recently released update, note down the KB number.
• Now use Windows Update Catalog Website to search for the update specified by the KB number you noted down. Download the update matching your system architecture.

• To check your system type, go to Settings > System > About > Device specifications > System type.

Double-click the downloaded .msu file and follow the prompts to install. Restart your PC to apply the update. Go to Settings > Windows Update > Update history to confirm the update is listed.

Manual installation bypasses corrupted components, allowing you to install updates directly, which is useful when automatic updates fail repeatedly.

If a feature update (e.g., Windows 11 24H2) is stuck, use the Windows 11 Installation Assistant or Media Creation Tool for a clean upgrade.

Check for driver updates in Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Optional updates.

Run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and sfc /scannow in Command Prompt (Admin) to fix corrupted system files affecting updates.

Some antivirus programs interfere with updates. Disable them during the update process and re-enable afterward.