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.


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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
    2016-07-28T22:29:39+00:00

    Yes, this worked for me. First time 3 items were in use and could not be deleted.  The checking updates advanced from 0 to 22%.  I then repeated and all 3 items were deleted.  After starting checking updates completed and the Upgrading Windows process actually began.  Thanks, I almost gave up on this.

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  2. Anonymous
    2016-07-31T13:27:34+00:00

    IT WORKED!!!!!!!!!!

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  3. Anonymous
    2016-08-01T00:22:54+00:00

    HUZZAH!!!!!!

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  4. Anonymous
    2016-08-17T10:56:08+00:00

    only way i could get wuauserv to stop (Windows 10)...

    win key then type Services, then find "Windows Update" (this is wuauserv) ... & right click...change Startup Type=Disabled, then reboot

    when your system reboots then wuauserv will be disabled and not running,

    so now stop other services using admin command prompt

    net stop MSIServer

    net stop cryptSvc

    net stop bits

    now rename directories

    ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution2.old

    ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 Catroot2a.old

    now start up those services

    net start MSIServer

    net start bits

    net start cryptSvc

    net start wuauserv (will give following error) just go back in to Services and change Startup Type to Automatic and click start

    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.

    now check for updates Win+I, then "Update & Security", then Windows Update

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