How can I stop WUAUSERV?

Anonymous
2010-09-20T03:53:29+00:00

net stop wuauserv

The service is starting or stoping. Please try again later.

Never stops.

Product: Microsoft Fix it 50202 -- Error 1921. Service 'Windows Update' (WUAUSERV) could not be stopped. Verify that you have sufficient privileges to stop system services.


Hey Hey Hey Doc K whadu say ?

Windows for home | Other | Windows update

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Anonymous
2015-05-03T21:30:24+00:00

I stop WUAUSERV to delete the contents in my "Software Distributions" folder. I do that when I am having problems when downloading and installing Apps from the Windows Store. 

The Proper way to do it is as follows:

Command prompt

net stop wuauserv

net stop bits

Go to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution

Delete all the contents

Return to "Command Prompt"

net start wuauserv

net start bits

That should fix your problem.

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  1. Anonymous
    2018-01-10T19:14:25+00:00

    Thank you for your responses. The problem is still not fixed. I was able to stop the service, delete the files in softwaredistribution, etc., etc. I then restarted Windows Update. After 35 minutes of watching it say "Looking for Updates" I finally gave up. WINDOWS UPDATE DOES NOT WORK. I got started on this saga because for days an update was stuck at 2%. In the process of research to fix this problem guess what I learned: A LOT of other users are having the same problem I have. I posted this problem on my FACEBOOK page and many of my friends are also having this problem - and it is clear that Microsoft is ignoring it. I halfway expect them to come out with, "Oh, no problem, this is the new standard!" 

    I have now used the following process to TURN WINDOWS UPDATE OFF on my computer. I realize that doing so makes my computer vulnerable, but no more nor less vulnerable than trying to get updates through a WINDOWS UPDATE applet that does not work. 

    (1) Bring up the Task Manager

    (2) Click on the Services Tab

    (3) Select and right click on any service

    (4) Select Open Services

    (5) Scroll down to find Windows Update

    (6) Select and right click on Windows Update

    (7) Click on Properties

    (8) Select the drop-down menu next to Startup Type

    (9) Select DISABLED

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  2. Anonymous
    2018-01-10T14:44:47+00:00

    also you can confirm that "Windows Update Service" is stopped after you reboot

    by going back into Services -->finding Windows Update --> viewing the status --> status should be "stopped"

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  3. Anonymous
    2018-01-10T13:39:16+00:00

    The trick to tell "Windows update to stop"...is to tell windows operating system to not to start "Windows update service" whenever your computer boots up...

    to do this see 5th post above from

    MI

    Mark in FRance replied on

    History

    11/18/2017 8:59:56 AM Created Mark in FRance

    Start Task Manager (Either type in search or Ctrl Alt Del)

    Click on Services tab

    Right click on any service

    Click on Open Services in popup menu

    Find windows update

    Right click for popup menu

    Click on properties

    Set to disabled (remember original setting - manual or automatic (delayed start) )

    Restart computer  (after you boot up.... windows update will not be started, therefore, you will not have to stop it)

    and you can continue performing other steps 

    net stop bits

    Go to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution

    Delete all the contents

    Return to "Command Prompt"

    net start wuauserv

    net start bits

    if this worked..."Remember to go back in to services and enable Windows Update service" so it will start whenever the computer is booted up"

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  4. Anonymous
    2018-01-09T20:05:21+00:00

    No joy! The question had to do with being UNABLE TO STOP WSUAUSERV. The response was "make sure you have the correct privileges. Guess what - if I did not have the correct privileges the response would be something along the lines of NO ACCESS. The response was "THE WINDOWS UPDATE SERVICE COULD NOT BE STOPPED. It looks like HUNDREDS have the same problem, but clearly there is no help to be had on this problem here.

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