can't change windows update settings even though I am the administrator

Anonymous
2012-03-12T02:33:33+00:00

When I try to change the windows update settings, the options are greyed out and I get the message at the top "Some settings are managed by your system administrator."  However, I am the system administrator.  Creating another account and designating it the system administrator account does not help.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Settings

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Anonymous
2013-03-25T10:20:50+00:00

This was the only way I found to fix this:

Be very careful editing windows registry

For Windows Vista/7

Click Start and type regedit in the Search Programs and Files field. Then right-click on regedit in the programs list and select Run as Administrator.

Within the Registry Editor, navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU.

On the right side of the window, locate AUOptions and NoAutoUpdate. Delete both of these registry keys.

Reboot

You should now be able to edit Windows Update

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  1. Anonymous
    2013-02-15T04:04:51+00:00

    Srinivas KR is alright, but it's not going to unblock you if you already have some GPO in place

    Start Group policy Editor as he suggested,

    Navigate to Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Windows Updates

    Open node Configure Automatic Updates

    Select Enabled

    Select 5 - Allow Local Admin to choose settings

    Under scheduled install select any value.

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-03-12T18:36:21+00:00

    Hi,

    1.      What is the edition of Windows 7 you are using?

    2.      Is the computer connected to network or domain?

    Please follow the methods listed below.

    Method 1:

    Follow the steps mentioned below.

    a.      Click on start button.

    b.      In the start search box, type gpedit.msc and press enter.

    c.       Navigate to Computer Configuration-> Administrative Templates -> Windows Component -> Windows Update. Make sure the states of all setting are Not Configured.

    d.      Navigate to Computer Configuration-> Administrative Templates-> System-> Internet Communication Management-> Internet Communication settings. Make sure the state of “Turn off access to all Windows Update features” is Not Configured.

    Method 2:

    Let’s check if you are able to access windows update settings in-built windows administrator account.

    Follow the steps mentioned below.

    a.      Click on start button.

    b. In the start search box, type cmd , right click on on cmd from the list and select Run as administrator

    c. Type the command net user administrator /active:yes and press enter.

    d.      Close the elevated command prompt

    e.      Log off, and you will now see the built-in Administrator account icon added

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-05-24T16:58:13+00:00

    There is no windows update at all

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  4. Anonymous
    2012-03-13T01:30:31+00:00

    I got an emailed reply (see below) but for some reason it isn't turning up here?  Here is my answer to that set of recommendations, though:

    Thanks again for the reply. 

    I didn't make any changes prior to this problem - the computer is fairly new and I've hardly used it.  When I first got it, I installed some programs, and uninstalled some default programs (like the antivirus that came pre-loaded).  That's pretty much it.  I can't say exactly when this problem started, but it wasn't there originally, because when I set the computer up, I did change the update settings. 

    I tried Method 1 and here is what I got:

    Issues found
    Repair Windows Update components Fixed
    Windows Update components must be repaired Completed <br> --- ---
    Repair Windows Update components Fixed
    Windows Update components must be repaired Completed <br> --- ---
    Potential issues that were checked
    Repair default Windows Update locations Issue not present

    Trying to access the update settings after this didn't change anything - the problem was still there. 

    Trying Method 2 - both processes were already started, so I couldn't click on Start (it was greyed out).  They were both set to start automatically.  

    Trying Method 3: I got the message "Windows Resource Protection did not find any Integrity Violations."

    When I then type in the command given on that page to open the scfdetails.txt file, I get the following message: "FINDSTR: Cannot open MyLastName\Desktop\sfcdetails.txt"

    When I search programs and files for sfcdetails.txt, I'm told that no items match my search. 

    From: Microsoft Answers <MicrosoftAnswers@microsoft.com>

    To:

    Sent: Monday, March 12, 2012 2:40 PM

    Subject: can't change windows update settings even though I am the administrator
    * * *
    Hello cwyn: <br><br> <br><br>Your question on Microsoft Answers has received a reply:<br> <br><br><br>Question<br><br>can't change windows update settings even though I am the administrator<br> <br><br> <br><br><br>Reply<br><br><br>Hi,<br><br><br> <br><br><br>Did you make any changes to the computer prior to the issue?<br><br><br> <br><br><br>Please follow the methods listed below.<br><br><br><br><br><br>Method 1:<br><br><br>Run the troubleshooter form the link mentioned below.<br><br><br>http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Open-the-Windows-Update-troubleshooter<br><br><br><br> <br><br><br>Method 2:<br><br><br>Let’s check if Windows update service is started.<br><br><br>Follow the steps mentioned below.<br><br><br>a.      Click on start button.<br><br><br>b.      In the start search box, type services.msc and press enter.<br><br><br>c.       Right click on Windows update and select properties.<br><br><br>d.      Click on start.<br><br><br>e.      Follow the same for Background Intelligent Transfer Service<br><br><br>f.        Click on OK.<br><br><br>g.      Restart the computer and test the issue.<br><br><br><br><br><br>Method 3:<br><br><br>Try running the system file checker tool from the link mentioned below.<br><br><br>How to use the System File Checker tool to troubleshoot missing or corrupted system files on Windows Vista or on Windows 7<br><br><br>http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929833

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