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Windows Update won't Update

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22 replies

by pcmaster

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This thing occurred some time ago after an update. Since then, all updates will not update. Instead I get the following error message when using Windows Update:
"Please change your Internet Explorer security settings
To save changes to your settings for this website, you need to enable userdata persistence for Internet Explorer. Complete the steps below, and then click Change settings to the left and try saving your changes again.
In Internet Explorer, on the Tools menu, click Internet Options.
Click the Security tab, click the Internet security zone icon, and then click Custom Level.
In the Settings dialog box, scroll to the Miscellaneous section.
Under Userdata persistence , select Enable.
Click OK and when the security warning dialog box appears, click Yes. "

I checked this setting and Userdata persistence is enabled. So, what happened and how do I fix it? Thanks

22 replies

by gary56789

The following usually works for a corrupted Windows update.

Start?Run?Services.msc?Automatic Updates?Double-click it to open its Properties?click the Stop button?close the Properties window.

Next, navigate to C:\Winnt, and find the folder named SoftwareDistribution. Rename this folder SoftwareDistribution.old.

Now go back to services.msc and restart Automatic updates. Now you can retry to update the OS.

by p.j.hutchison

Try this instead:
1. Option Internet Options, Security, Trusted Sites
2. Click Sites and add *.microsoft.com

In services.msc make sure:
1. Automatic Updates services is set to Auto and started.
2. Make sure Crypto. Services is Auto and running.
3. Open System Control panel and make sure Auto updates is enabled.

by pcmaster

Didn't work. What is Crypto? I'm running Windows 2000 Pro. Crypto may be an XP service. Not sure but it wasn't in the list of available services.

Thanks.

by dave the computer guy

One thing I ask is did you add any Internet Security software around the time your Windows Update stopped working.

I know that some software firewalls will block certian services that Windows Update requires.

I'd tell you the specific services but I'm not sure what they are off the top of my head. I just know that I've run into this problem at home before and I had to go into my software firewall and allow those services access to the Internet.

by pcmaster

No firewall installed. I only have Symantec Antivirus installed, but it's been running for a couple years now and no problems. Microsoft also has a utility which detects and removes zotob virus and any other bad things. I ran it and it showed my system to be clean. I'm also a computer tech and I'm completely confused.

I do know that this problem occurred on my wifes computer as well. She can't update either. Last successful update occurred August '05.

Thanks

by p.j.hutchison

Which service pack do you have installed? You need at least SP2 for Windows Update to work.
Have you configured anything in Group Policy (GPEDIT.MSC)?

by pcmaster

I'm running Win2K SP4. I've never changed any group policies. I checked them and they all seem to be intact.

I have a very good understanding of the Windows O/S, but this is the first time I've run across this problem and don't know what is causing this and I can't find any documentation on it in any of the Knowledge Bases.

Thanks

by bschmidt

It's probably a longshot...but this is the latest cumulative IE6 SP1 update.

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=905915

Try installing that and see if IE fixes itself? (or uninstall the latest one you have installed first in case there's something wrong with that installed version)

You can also download other updates manually if you have to and see if that works any of the kinks out. Good luck.

by bschmidt

It's probably a longshot...but this is the latest cumulative IE6 SP1 update.

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=905915

Try installing that and see if IE fixes itself? (or uninstall the latest one you have installed first in case there's something wrong with that installed version)

You can also download other updates manually if you have to and see if that works any of the kinks out. Good luck.

by otl

You clicked Ok, when the box closed did you click APPLY ?

The Microsoft security warning box also has a check box for always trust microsoft, did you check that also ?

Otherwise IE Tools -> internet options -> Security -> custom, check that your software channel permissions are not set to high safety (basically no software installation). ensure that signed active X and Java (scripting) are all enabled.

Forget whither it was an SP or KB update that grounded me, changed settings in IE and locked out the internet.

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