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

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 No comments
Answer accepted by question author
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.

Was this answer helpful?

300+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments No comments

66 additional answers

Sort by: Newest
  1. Anonymous
    2018-01-05T23:24:58+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.

    I've tried to do this but I repeatedly get "The Windows Update service could not be stopped"

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  2. Anonymous
    2018-01-03T15:22:03+00:00

    the question was that when that command was put in the error message that the service is either stopping or starting Try again later you did not answer that question.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  3. Anonymous
    2017-12-18T12:51:54+00:00

    I couldn't rename the SoftwareDistrubution file. It says it's in another program.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  4. Anonymous
    2017-12-18T12:48:29+00:00

    After I typed in the command: net stop wuauserv

    It displays:

    The Windows Update Service Update is stopping.....

    The Windows Update Service could not be stopped.

    What shall I do then? Help.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments