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

Hi James,

Welcome to the Microsoft Community and Thanks for your posting!

i would like to make some queries first:

1. what's your OS (Operating System)? mine is win 7 64 bits
2. are you logged in as an administrator? if not, log in as administrator then you can check for updates and also change many settings !
3. is your pc on a domain or network? or you are a simple home user?
4. have you ever made windows updates on this PC?
5. did you make some hardware/ software changes exactly before this problem? do you doubt anything?
6. did you make any efforts to solve this problem ? and it's results/outcomes?

Now i would like to bring somethings in your notice:

1. i would like to make you know that the title of this thread is : "can't change windows update settings even though i am the administrator" and your problem is "windows update can't check for updates because  ..... ", So, most people here are able to check for updates but can't change the windows update settings i.e. how to make the choices for updates. but you are not even able to check for updates. so, plz check whether you can change the windows update settings either? in my case, i had both the problems!
2. can you plz go through my posts under "why can't i it's just Vineet Garg" and the links asssociated with them (there is one post which is marked as answer for the same problem!)
3. if we start with ABC..., this is probably the problem with one or more group policies in place, just to deny access to some specific settings to every other person! (which in short called gpedit or group policy edition)

4. ***can't I just download the update through my browser? It may not be that simple but I wish it was.***windows update is a magical service which makes diagnosis of whole system and give all the required updates for windows and other microsoft products on our pc in just no time! we may need to make some updates through browser also, but they would be few in numbers and problem(s) specific. in fact, all the updates that are made by 'windows update' (utility) are available on Microsoft website(s) but there is no alternate to its selection process! (i.e. the way it decides : when and which

updates are required for your system)

REST FOR MY SENIORS! 

[ additionally, i would like to encourage you to post  in a recent post matching your problem(s),  more preferably,one that haven't been answered, or make your own post! that will attract more people in the business. the queries and notes above will help you doing so and will this Microsoft link :            https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/555375 ]

 let us know how we can help you?

__________________________________

Regards,

Vineet Garg.

its not working for me, whenever i click on "check for updates" I get "Windows Update cannot currently check for updates, because updates on this computer are controlled by your system administrator."

can't I just download the update through my browser? It may not be that simple but I wish it was.

Wow this worked perfectly...you rock, thank you!

Had same issue, however, the referenced entries were not present.

Instead had:  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\

"DisableWindowsUpdateAccess"

I exported the key to the Desktop, then deleted it from the Registry.  Rebooted.  Immediately it wanted to download 75 updates.  WU ran just fine.

Thanks, problem resolved!