How To Reset Windows Update In Windows 11: Step-by-Step Guide

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4 min. read

Published on November 7, 2025

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Windows Update can sometimes encounter problems, leaving your system vulnerable or preventing you from receiving crucial security patches and feature enhancements. If you’re experiencing issues with Windows Update in Windows 11, resetting its components can often resolve these problems. This comprehensive guide provides a step-by-step approach to effectively reset Windows Update, ensuring your system stays up-to-date and secure.

By following these detailed instructions, you can troubleshoot common Windows Update errors and restore its functionality. The process involves stopping related services, clearing relevant folders, and re-registering essential DLL files. This meticulous approach helps clear out corrupted files and configurations, allowing Windows Update to function correctly.

How Do I Reset Windows Update Components in Windows 11?

Resetting Windows Update involves several steps, including stopping specific services, clearing the SoftwareDistribution folder, and re-registering DLL files. Follow these instructions carefully to ensure a successful reset.

Stop Windows Update Services

Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box.
Type services.msc and press Enter to open the Services window.
Locate the “Windows Update” service in the list.
Right-click on “Windows Update” and select “Stop”.
Locate the “Background Intelligent Transfer Service” (BITS).
Right-click on “Background Intelligent Transfer Service” and select “Stop”.

Clear the SoftwareDistribution Folder

Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box.
Type %windir%\SoftwareDistribution and press Enter. This will open the SoftwareDistribution folder in File Explorer.
Select all files and folders within the SoftwareDistribution folder.
Press the Delete key to remove them. You may need to provide administrator permission to complete this step.

Re-register Windows Update DLL Files

Type cmd in the Windows search bar.
Right-click on “Command Prompt” and select “Run as administrator”.
Type the following commands one by one, pressing Enter after each:

“ regsvr32 /s wupserver.dll regsvr32 /s wuaueng.dll regsvr32 /s wucltux.dll regsvr32 /s wuwebv.dll regsvr32 /s wups.dll regsvr32 /s wuaueng1.dll regsvr32 /s wucltui.dll regsvr32 /s msxml3.dll “

Restart Windows Update Services

Open the Services window again by pressing Win + R, typing services.msc, and pressing Enter.
Locate the “Windows Update” service.
Right-click on “Windows Update” and select “Start”.
Locate the “Background Intelligent Transfer Service” (BITS).
Right-click on “Background Intelligent Transfer Service” and select “Start”.

Restart Your Computer

Click the Start button.
Select “Power”.
Click “Restart”.

Tips for a Successful Reset

Ensure you have administrator privileges before attempting these steps.
Double-check the spelling of each command in the Command Prompt to avoid errors.
If you encounter any error messages during the DLL registration process, note them down for further troubleshooting.
After restarting your computer, check for updates in Settings > Windows Update to verify the reset was successful.

Comparing Methods for Resetting Windows Update

Here’s a quick comparison of the methods discussed, highlighting their pros and cons:

Method	Description	Pros	Cons
Stopping Services	Disables Windows Update and BITS to prevent interference during the reset process.	Prevents conflicts, ensures clean slate for other steps.	Requires administrative privileges, might interrupt background downloads.
Clearing SoftwareDistribution	Removes downloaded update files, logs, and configurations that might be corrupted.	Clears potential corruption, frees up disk space.	Can be time-consuming depending on folder size, requires administrative privileges.
Re-registering DLLs	Re-registers essential Windows Update components, ensuring they are properly linked and functioning.	Fixes missing or corrupted DLL registrations, critical for update functionality.	Requires precise command entry, potential for errors if commands are mistyped.
Restarting Services	Re-enables Windows Update and BITS after the reset process.	Restores update functionality, allows system to check for updates.	Requires administrative privileges, might trigger immediate update checks.

Resolving Windows Update Issues

By following these steps, you should be able to resolve most common Windows Update issues in Windows 11. If problems persist, consider checking for driver updates or running the Windows Update troubleshooter.

FAQ

What does resetting Windows Update do? Resetting Windows Update clears corrupted files and configurations, allowing it to function correctly.

Why is Windows Update not working? Corrupted files, service issues, or network problems can prevent Windows Update from working.

How do I fix Windows Update errors? Resetting Windows Update components, running the troubleshooter, or checking for driver updates can fix errors.

Will resetting Windows Update delete my files? No, resetting Windows Update does not delete your personal files.

What should I do if resetting Windows Update doesn’t work? Consider checking for driver updates, running the Windows Update troubleshooter, or seeking advanced troubleshooting assistance.