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

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
Answer accepted by question author
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

Was this answer helpful?

300+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

43 additional answers

Sort by: Oldest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. 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

    Was this answer helpful?

    6 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2012-03-12T21:34:26+00:00

    Thanks for the reply!  The version is Windows Professional.  The computer is connected to my wireless network for internet purposes, but is not otherwise a part of a network or domain (as my work desktop is, for example). 

    I completed Method 1 - all of the settings you described (in both folders) were already set to "Not Configured."

    I tried Method 2 as well - I have the same problem when I log in under the built-in Administrator account.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. 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

    Was this answer helpful?

    2 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  4. 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.

    Was this answer helpful?

    10+ people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments