wuaudt.exe is really bogging down my computer

Anonymous
2010-08-03T18:57:06+00:00

Recently, when I first start my computer for the day, wuaudt.exe runs and really bogs down my computer.  In Task Manager it shows it is using a lot of memory along with one of the many svchost.exe's that are running.  I had my computer set up to notify me when updates are available.  I have investigated this problem and found about the only thing to do is disable automatic updates altogether.  I have turned off Automatic Updates, unchecked Automatic Updates under the Services tab in msconfig and in services.msc I have set Automatic Updates to manual.  This seems to keep wuaudt.exe from running.  I read in one place that Microsoft issues updates on the first and third Tuesday's of each month so I plan on doing manual updates at those times.  Does anyone know why wuaudt.exe is suddenly such a memory hog? It only seems to be a problem the first time I time turn my computer on (I turn it off when not in use to save electricity).  If I shut it off and restart it later in the day, there is not a performance problem.  I have a Dell Dimension 5100C, Windows XP Pro SP3, 512 MB RAM, Pentium 4 3.00 Ghz processor. 

 I would like to be able to be notified of critical updates when they are issued but I don't want wuaudt.exe running every day if it is going to  bog me down.  Any ideas?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Performance and system failures

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2010-08-22T19:22:13+00:00

Thanks for the info!  I've opted out of Microsoft Updates as you and PA Bear have suggested.  Keeping my fingers crossed that everything works normally tomorrow!

Was this answer helpful?

10+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2010-08-20T19:29:09+00:00

Update: Due primarily to exchanges with several MS MVPS on the behalf of users like you, Microsoft is aware of and has acknowledged the issue:

"We have gotten reports from multiple sources and consider this to be a live service issue and we are investigating it as a Priority 1."

~Robear Dyer (PA Bear) ~ MS MVP (IE, Mail, Security, Windows & Update Services) since 2002 ~ Disclaimer: MS MVPs neither represent nor work for Microsoft

Was this answer helpful?

7 people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

163 additional answers

Sort by: Oldest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2010-08-22T20:38:28+00:00

    You questioned every person switching off Microsoft Updates with an arrogant and aggressive manor.

    You also made it very clear you did not believe this was a Microsoft Issue.

    You will get respect if you help people rather than make several people start new threads with the same issue and completely disregard mainfactsbecause you believe Microsoft can do no wrong.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2010-08-22T21:05:49+00:00

    A1. I disagree with you here (and I think ur spiel chukkers broke <w>).

    A2. A week ago, we did not know that there was "a Microsoft issue" and I repeatedly said that other factors MAY be causing the behavior. The latter remains true: Every computer is different.

    A3. Other people starting new threads [1] helped us identify one possible cause for the behavior. I've NEVER said or implied that "Microsoft can do no wrong." In fact, MS MVPs are probably Microsoft's most vocal critics (whether MS listens to us anymore or now). See my sig.

    Over the past 2+ weeks, we've learned that SOME, relatively underpowered (i.e., less than 1 GB RAM) WinXP computers are being swamped when Automatic Updates kicks into gear if Microsoft Update is the default update source.

    The current workaround is to flip the default update source back to Windows Update. FAQ & several caveats here:http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/vistawu/thread/ef18ff87-db7f-4705-8105-33dcf9a9a03b/#44e80262-9a91-4ddb-9770-63810962cb8c 

    ===============================

    [1] e.g., http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/vistawu/thread/f8aec5e9-2f04-44c3-9e67-8f46a38b8d37 

    ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear) ~ MS MVP (IE, Mail, Security, Windows & Update Services) since 2002 ~ Disclaimer: MS MVPs neither represent nor work for Microsoft

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2010-08-22T21:17:30+00:00

    The only reason you began to believe this was an issue was because of MowGreen. If it weren't for him, you would still be giving miss information and telling everyone to start new threads.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments