Windows Update service disabled

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I am unable to run Windows Update; I’ve tried every solution I can find on this forum to no avail. One symptom I notice is that the Windows Update service is disabled, and I cannot enable it. If I choose any of the enable options then try to start the service, I receive “Error 1058: The service cannot be started, either because it is disabled or because it has no enabled devices associated with it.” I have searched and tried numerous fixes; they all end up with the same 1058 error. Help!

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We could use some additional information.
What version of Win10 are you running? 1809? 1903? 1909? Pro or Home Edition?
Have you used any third-party update blockers?
Are you logged in an Administrator account of a Standard account?
What/when  was the last update that was successful?
What have you tried so far?

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Version 1809, professional

I have no update blockers. I use Adblock Plus in the browser. Running Microsoft security tools and MalwareBytes.

I am an administrator.

When I View Update History, there are no entries (Capture1 attached). Opening Control Panel shows the updates in Capture2 attached. Last update is 8/9/2019.

I cannot even recall all the things I have tried. In the AskWoody forum post for the error I receive from Windows Update, (0x80070422), I have tried all the suggestions in the links included in the response to that topic. I have searched the internet for the 1058 error and tried every option I could find. If you have any suggestions let’s just start from scratch if we could.

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OK, lets start with system integrity:

+ Open an elevated Command Prompt (right click cmd.exe and Run as Administrator).
Run chkdsk /f
It will tell you it can’t run b/c the computer is on, do you want to run on reboot?
Yes
Exit the Command Prompt and reboot.
Did it find/correct any errors?

+ Open an elevated Command Prompt
Run DISM /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
Did it find/correct any errors?
Run SFC /scannow
Did it find/correct any errors?

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First, I thank you *very* much for your help! Once again this forum is the best.

Chkdsk ran with no errors.

DISM ran with the error shown in attached Capture3: Error 1058 The service cannot be started, either because it is disabled or because it has no enabled devices associated with it. I have attached the DISM log. (I had to change the extension to txt from log.)

SFC ran with the error shown in attached Capture4. The log is attached. I had to compress it to upload.

Again, many thanks for any help you can provide.

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The Defender errors that show in the sfc log should have been fixed by DISM, had it run to completion.

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I also have corrupt files on a Windows 7 Ultimate which probably happen in 2017 and would not update until I got it partially fixed in 2019. It partly runs and updates but I know it is not fully right. My partial fix was on Windows 7 not Windows 8.

I have opened another post on “How to read the CBS log”: https://www.askwoody.com/forums/topic/how-to-read-cbs-log-file/

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OK, before we go any further, Open Group Policy.
Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components
Under Windows Update and Windows Update for Business
Look through anything that is not default and see if you have any settings disabling Windows Update. Be sure it is NOT turned off/disabled anywhere.

I will need to log off at 8:00pm CST US. But I will be back on around 4:00am. If you don’t find anything in Group Policy, the next step will be to reset Windows Update (tomorrow in the morning, or whenever you show up).

Incidently, it looks like the last updates you have are the July 2019 lot.

1 user thanked author for this post.

Coldheart9020

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Thank you. I will be able to follow up Sunday afternoon PST.

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I am guessing you want to patch your computer, otherwise I don’t understand why would someone want WU running.    have  you tried installing manual updates?  it may help fix your problem.

Just someone who don't want Windows to mess with its computer.

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I’m unable to do a manual update. That’s what started all this. When I click Check For Updates I get error 0x80070422, which through the multitude of suggested fixes–none of which work–I get the 1058 error.

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Updates may be downloaded from the Microsoft Update Catalog and manually installed:
https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Home.aspx

What I have provided here is merely an explanation of manual update.

Right now, there is a plan in place to help you and your errors are still being diagnosed.

On permanent hiatus {with backup and coffee}
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1 user thanked author for this post.

Zaphyrus

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Turn off Fast Startup if it’s on. Control Panel\Power Options\Choose what the Power buttons do. You may have to click on “Change settings that are not available”

In Services.msc verify that Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS), Cryptographic Service, and Windows Update Service are NOT set to “Disabled.”

PKCano wrote:

If you don’t find anything in Group Policy, the next step will be to reset Windows

Resetting Windows Update may erase the Update History. It does not remove the installed updates list.
These are the instructions for resetting Windows Update. As you go through the commands, it is important to note if they report successful or not. Services that are not turned on may report they can’t be turned off for that reason, please take note. Also note if the Services do or don’t turn back on.
When you finish, please verify the folders SoftwareDistribution.0126 and Catroot2.0126 exist.

In an elevated Command Prompt, enter each of these commands one at a time. You can copy/paste them at the prompt.
net stop wuauserv
net stop cryptSvc
net stop bits
net stop msiserver
Ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.0126
Ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 Catroot2.0126
net start wuauserv
net start cryptSvc
net start bits
net start msiserver

Restart (not shut down/startup) the computer.
If the above was successful (and the Services restarted), once the computer has finished startup operations, retry this, otherwise let me know the results from above:

+ Open an elevated Command Prompt
Run DISM /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
Did it find/correct any errors?
If DISM was successful this time rerun sfc
Run SFC /scannow
Did it find/correct any errors?

Let me know the outcome.

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Results below, in order, numbered. And again many thanks for taking so much time to help me.

1. OK, before we go any further, Open Group Policy, Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components. Under Windows Update and Windows Update for Business, look through anything that is not default and see if you have any settings disabling Windows Update. Be sure it is NOT turned off/disabled anywhere.
   • All settings under Windows Update and Windows Update for Business are set to Not Configured.
2. Turn off Fast Startup if it’s on. Control Panel\Power Options\Choose what the Power buttons do. You may have to click on “Change settings that are not available”
   • Done
3. In msc verify that Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS), Cryptographic Service, and Windows Update Service are NOT set to “Disabled.”
   • BITS and Cryptographic Service are enabled and running.
   • Windows Update Service is disabled and I cannot enable it. That is the problem for which I started this thread. If I select any of the startup types in Properties, I can start the service, but it still shows Disabled in startup type; it will never save the selection I make, even though clicking the Apply button appears to save it in the Properties dialog. The service runs for only a few seconds then stops.
4. These are the instructions for resetting Windows Update. As you go through the commands, it is important to note if they report successful or not. Services that are not turned on may report they can’t be turned off for that reason, please take note. Also note if the Services do or don’t turn back on.
   When you finish, please verify the folders 0126 and Catroot2.0126 exist.
   • 0126 and Catroot2.0126 exist. After rebooting the catroot2 folder was recreated but the SoftwareDistribution folder was not.
5. In an elevated Command Prompt, enter each of these commands one at a time. You can copy/paste them at the prompt.
   • net stop wuauserv Result: The Windows Update Service is not started. See 3 above.
     net stop cryptSvc Result: The Cryptographic Services service is stopping. The Cryptographic Services service was stopped successfully.
     net stop bits Result: The Background Intelligent Transfer Service service is not started.
     net stop msiserver Result: The Windows Installer service is not started.
     Ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.0126 Done
     Ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 Catroot2.0126 Done
     net start wuauserv Result: System error 1058 has occurred. The service cannot be started, either because it is disabled or because it has no enabled devices associated with it. This is the error that I initially posted about.
     net start cryptSvc Started.
     net start bits Started.
     net start msiserver Started.
6. Restart (not shut down/startup) the computer. Done.
   If the above was successful (and the Services restarted), once the computer has finished startup operations, retry this, otherwise let me know the results from above.
   • Windows Update Service is still disabled, and I cannot enable it; when I try, I receive the same 1058 error noted above.
7. + Open an elevated Command Prompt
   Run DISM /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
   Did it find/correct any errors?
   • DISM gets the same 1058 error, pasted below:

C:\WINDOWS\system32>DISM /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth

Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool

Version: 10.0.17763.1

Image Version: 10.0.17763.615

[===========================85.9%=================         ]

Error: 1058

The service cannot be started, either because it is disabled or because it has no enabled devices associated with it.

The DISM log file can be found at C:\WINDOWS\Logs\DISM\dism.log

C:\WINDOWS\system32>

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I have tried twice to reply with the results but neither one posted. This time I’m attaching a Word document with the information; maybe the reply is too long to be accepted?

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[bmshulman]

The short result: I completed all tasks successfully except starting Windows Update Service. I still receive error 1058 when I try to. The service shows Disabled in services.msc and I am unable to enable it, no matter what combination I try.

• This reply was modified 3 years, 8 months ago by bmshulman.

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OK, I just found your posts in the spam bucket. Give me a minute to process the information

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OK, one last attempt at repairs.
Settings\Update & Security\Troubleshoot\Windows Update – run the troubleshooter.

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I’ve run the troubleshooter many times. It does nothing and gives no messages at all.

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You have already tried the “windows update troubleshooter” correct?

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Oops, I was just going ther as a last ditch effort to repair.

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Before you go any farther, I suggest you make a full disk image of the machine and a separate file backup of your user data.

If it were mine, I would then do an in-place upgrade, choosing to save programs and data.
You can get the Media Creation Tool downloaded from MS. That will give you v1909.
Woody recommends v1903. The ISO for 1903 can be obtained by downloading from Heidoc. Mount it and run setup.exe – take it offline before you start.

The other option, is see if someone else here has other ideas for a fix.

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I am sorry! I wasted all of your valuable time. I’m so embarrassed. I just realized that quite some time ago I installed StopUpdates 10, which of course was doing what I told it to do. Once I shut it off, updates are even now processing.

You have all been so helpful and spent so much time trying to help me and it was all stupid user error. Please forgive me.

1 user thanked author for this post.

Elly

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OK, I’m on Windows 7, but I’m curious: does anyone know what StopUpdates10 does in order to prohibit Windows Update Service from being started?

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PKCano wrote:

Have you used any third-party update blockers?

That was one of the first questions. 🙂
Well, consider it a lesson learned.
Just part of what goes on here.
If you have any more problems, just ask. That’s what AskWoody is here for.

1 user thanked author for this post.

Elly

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[bmshulman]

Yes, indeed, that is the most embarrassing part. But thank you again.

• This reply was modified 3 years, 8 months ago by bmshulman.

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I’ve run into the same problem as you and tried practically everything listed above. Tweaking.com’s Windows Repair finally did the trick for me. The free version has the functions needed to fix everything involved in WU. Scroll down a little below the “Buy” options at the top of the page, and there are three mirrors you can download it from. I hope it works for you!

https://www.tweaking.com/content/page/windows_repair_all_in_one.html

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same problem right now and none of the solutions above work

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Try a repair install of Windows, keeping your data and apps. That usually cleans up oddities.

cheers, Paul

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an in-place upgrade repair install of Windows is a very good option when the sfc /scannow command fails to repair system files

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Omg… I had never installed any third party update blockers, and yet that same StopUpdate was enabled in my services… Thanks for pointing it out or I would have never found it. Cheers

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