How To Reset Windows Update In Windows 11: Detailed Tutorial And Methods

Resetting Windows Update in Windows 11 can help resolve issues such as updates failing to install, getting stuck, or causing errors. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to reset Windows Update.

1. Method 1: Reset Windows Update Components Using Command Prompt.

1.1 Open Command Prompt as Administrator:

1. Press **Win + S** and type **Command Prompt**.
2. Right-click on **Command Prompt** and select **Run as administrator**.

1.2 Stop Windows Update Services:

1. In the Command Prompt, type the following commands one by one, pressing **Enter** after each command:

   net stop wuauserv
   net stop cryptSvc
   net stop bits
   net stop msiserver

2. This stops the Windows Update, Cryptographic, Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS), and the Windows Installer services.

1.3 Delete the SoftwareDistribution and Catroot2 Folders:

1. These folders store temporary files used by Windows Update. Deleting them forces Windows Update to create new folders and files, potentially resolving update issues.
2. Type the following commands to rename these folders:
   

   ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
   ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 Catroot2.old

1.4 Restart Windows Update Services:

1. Now, start the services you stopped earlier by typing the following commands:

   net start wuauserv
   net start cryptSvc
   net start bits
   net start msiserver

1.5 Restart Your Computer:

1. Restart your computer to ensure all changes take effect.

2. Method 2: Reset Windows Update Using a Batch File.

If you prefer, you can create a batch file to automate the process:

2.1 Create a New Text Document:

1. Right-click on your desktop or in a folder, select **New** > **Text Document**.
2. Copy and Paste the Following Commands into the Text Document**:

   net stop wuauserv
   net stop cryptSvc
   net stop bits
   net stop msiserver
   ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
   ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 Catroot2.old
   net start wuauserv
   net start cryptSvc
   net start bits
   net start msiserver
   pause

2.2 Save the File with a .bat Extension:

1. Go to **File** > **Save As**.
2. Change the **Save as type** to **All Files** and name the file with a `.bat` extension (e.g., `ResetWindowsUpdate.bat`).

2.3 Run the Batch File as Administrator:

1. Right-click on the batch file and select **Run as administrator**.
2. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the reset.

3. Method 3: Using Windows Troubleshooter.

3.1 Open the Windows Update Troubleshooter:

1. Press **Win + I** to open **Settings**.
2. Go to **System** > **Troubleshoot** > **Other troubleshooters**.
3. Find **Windows Update** and click **Run**.

3.2 Follow the On-Screen Instructions:

1. The troubleshooter will detect and fix issues with Windows Update automatically.

4. Video.

You can refer to the below video to see how to do it. Select your subtitles language on the video lower right.

After following any of these methods, try to update Windows again to see if the issue is resolved.