windows 10 false security updates screen

david powell 0 Reputation points
2026-08-29T18:38:49.84+00:00

the windows update screen in windows 10 keeps displaying: your device is missing important security and quality fixes. i have clicked update many times and says there no updates. i also successfully enrolled on the extended security updates programme. please help me to solve this issue.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Windows update
0 comments No comments

2 answers

Sort by: Newest
  1. EmilyS_726 27,470 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2026-09-04T22:44:39.7233333+00:00

    First, press Win + R and type:

    winver
    

    If it shows 19045.7663, the issue is likely caused by an incorrect WaaSAssessment cache/state.

    Open Notepad and copy the following content into it:

    Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
    [-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WaaSAssessment]
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WaaSAssessment]
    "Endpoint"="settings-win.data.microsoft.com"
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WaaSAssessment\Cache]
    "UpToDateStatus"=dword:00000000
    "UpToDateImpact"=dword:00000000
    "UpToDateDays"=dword:00000000
    

    Save the file as:

    WaaS-reset.reg
    

    Double-click the file to import it into the registry, then restart the computer.

    After restarting, go to:

    Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for updates

    ========

    The purpose of this registry change is to remove the old WaaSAssessment status and allow Windows to regenerate the Windows Update status.

    Caution: Incorrectly modifying the registry can cause Windows to become corrupted. It is recommended that you back up the Windows registry before making any changes.

    Microsoft's official instructions for backing up the registry:

    https://support.microsoft.com/topic/how-to-back-up-and-restore-the-registry-in-windows-855140ad-e318-2a13-2829-d428a2ab0692#ID0EBD=Windows_10

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments

  2. Paulo GM 71,975 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-08-29T19:37:46.15+00:00

    Hi,

    This is a common issue on devices enrolled in ESU. You can check the marked solution in this thread and see if it helps resolve the issue. The solution given modifies the Registry to recheck the update status of your device.

    https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5655936/device-missing-important-security-and-quality-issu

    Just let me know if you’d like me to walk you through the steps if you’re not comfortable doing the solution.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments

Your answer

Answers can be marked as 'Accepted' by the question author and 'Recommended' by moderators, which helps users know the answer solved the author's problem.