Step 1: Stop Windows Update Service
To begin the restoration process, you need to stop the Windows Update service. Follow these steps:
- Press the Windows key on your keyboard or click on the Start button in the taskbar.
- Type “services.msc” in the search bar and press Enter.
- In the Services window, scroll down and locate “Windows Update” in the list of services.
- Right-click on “Windows Update” and select “Stop” from the context menu that appears. This will halt the Windows Update service.
Step 2: Clear Windows Update Cache
Clearing the Windows Update cache is an important step in restoring Windows Update. Here’s how you can do it:
- Open File Explorer by pressing the Windows key + E on your keyboard.
- Navigate to the following location: C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution
- Delete all the files and folders inside the SoftwareDistribution folder. You may need administrator privileges to delete certain files.
Step 3: Restart Windows Update Service
Now that you have cleared the Windows Update cache, it’s time to restart the Windows Update service. Follow these steps:
- Press the Windows key on your keyboard or click on the Start button in the taskbar.
- Type “services.msc” in the search bar and press Enter.
- In the Services window, scroll down and locate “Windows Update” in the list of services.
- Right-click on “Windows Update” and select “Start” from the context menu that appears. This will restart the Windows Update service.
Step 4: Check for Updates
After restarting the Windows Update service, it’s important to check for updates and ensure that the restoration process was successful. Here’s how:
- Press the Windows key on your keyboard or click on the Start button in the taskbar.
- Click on “Settings” (the gear icon) to open the Windows Settings menu.
- In the Windows Settings menu, click on “Update & Security”.
- Click on “Check for updates” to initiate the update scan.
Windows will now check for updates and display any available updates for your system. If updates are found, proceed with the installation process.
Restoring Windows Update on Windows 10 can help resolve various update-related problems and ensure your system is running smoothly. By following the step-by-step guide above, you can easily restore Windows Update and keep your system up-to-date with the latest features and security patches.