Download Windows 10 Update. How to find, disable Windows Update and fix problems with its operation

The tenth version of Windows, according to its creators, is revolutionary in every way. This may be true, but the changes in the interface and the location of some components are certainly quite noticeable. Thus, many users in their usual location cannot find the “Update Center” in Windows 10. Let’s take a brief look at where this service is located, how to work with it and troubleshoot problems that arise. Naturally, it will not be possible to describe all the errors and methods for correcting them, but the most basic ones will be touched upon.

Windows 10 OS: Where is Update Center?

Many users, accustomed to the interface of older systems, did not appreciate the innovations in the arrangement of some system control elements. Indeed, now there is not one “Control Panel”, but two. The main option is the settings section, which is called up through the main Start menu. And it’s completely impossible to get to the standard “Control Panel” (it also exists in its classic form) without special knowledge. But that’s where the update service used to be located.

But call standard panel you can use the control command in the “Run” menu, used as in all earlier versions system, and in Windows 10. “Update Center” (where this component is located will be discussed a little later) is missing from the sections, and this confuses many users.

In fact, this service has been moved to a new panel. To get to it, you need to call the “Settings” section, and then find the update and security menu. The first section (line at the top left) is the desired “Update Center”. There are quite a lot of settings here. For example, you can change the frequency of receiving updates, configure update methods, change privacy settings, etc.

Cannot be updated via Update Center. What to do?

But, as in other systems, this service is not immune to errors and failures. If Windows 10 does not update via Update Center, this may be due to communication settings or malfunction the service itself. But, and this is the saddest thing, some important updates that are installed into the system automatically (when the update mode is enabled without notifying the user) can also cause failures. They then have to be removed.

First, you can try to manually search for updates. If the components of the service itself are in order, the packages will be found, after which they just need to be installed. But this is the simplest case.

Troubleshooting Guidelines

The situation looks worse when the components responsible for searching for and installing updates are damaged. And incorrect installation of some important packages leads to failures.

If Windows 10 Update Center does not work, in this situation it is best to go to view recently installed update packages, sort them by date and remove them one by one, checking the service. Once the faulty package is found, you should do a manual search and then install all the packages, eliminating the one that is problematic from the list.

If failures occur due to incorrect operation components of the "Update Center", there can be quite a lot of reasons for this ( incorrect settings proxies, lack of files required for operation, impact on the update process of third-party services and programs, not counting viruses, and much more).

In the simplest case, troubleshooting Windows 10 Update boils down to restarting the service and renaming the SoftwareDistribution directory located in the system root directory. This is done through the command line (cmd in the “Run” console or the corresponding line in the right-click menu on the start button), but only with administrator rights. To do this, use two commands: net stop WuAuServ and net WuAuServ start with renaming the specified folder to SoftwareDistribution.old. After a restart, the system itself will create a new directory.

In other cases, you need to look for a solution based on the situation (the description of the failure can be found by the error code). But for the laziest, Microsoft offers its own automated utilities - Microsoft Fix It! and Microsoft Easy Fix. In some cases it will be useful DLL program Suite, which allows you to install missing or damaged libraries into the system. In general, you first need to assess the nature of the failure, and only then make a decision on how to fix the problem as effectively as possible.

Instead of a total

Here’s a brief summary of what the “Update Center” is in Windows 10. Where this component is located is already clear. As for possible errors or malfunctions, it is quite difficult to describe all situations and cases, since you cannot foresee everything, and describing each specific problem and methods for eliminating it will take a lot of time. Only the most common failures are considered. If something doesn't work, use automatic utilities. At least one, but will give some tangible result.

The issue of installing updates for the tenth version of Windows, like any other of this family, worries many users, since the process of downloading and installing them does not always go smoothly. The appearance of many errors can sometimes be eliminated if you know exactly where the Windows 10 update files are saved. In the same way, you can simply reinstall some update packages manually or cancel their installation, so issues of managing such processes must be considered in the context of determining the location of downloaded files and how what actions can be performed with them.

Where are Windows 10 updates downloaded?

So, first, let's look at the questions regarding the direct location of saving files for downloaded update packages. Most ordinary users do not know where Windows 10 updates are downloaded. In fact, first of all, you need to pay attention to the fact that the downloads folder, which is available in user documents and is intended by default for downloading certain content from the Internet, is not involved in the process of downloading and installing system updates. So you don’t have to look for updates there. But then where are Windows 10 updates downloaded?

For this purpose, the system provides special folder SoftwareDistribution, located in the main directory operating system. True, it also contains a Download directory, intended for downloading the contents of packages, but after they are automatically unpacked, the downloaded files, combined into folders, can be located directly in the specified software folder. We’ll look at what actions you can perform with all these components a little later, but for now let’s briefly look at the packages that are loaded on hard drive when switching to Windows 10 from systems of a lower rank.

Where are Windows 10 update files downloaded when upgrading to it from an older OS?

For these purposes, a special directory is created, which, like the directory described in the previous case, is not visible to the user because it is hidden. Where are Windows 10 updates downloaded in this case?

This is the Windows.~BT directory. In the event of a user-authorized transition from an outdated OS to the tenth version, the system provides the possibility of a rollback, and the folder old system Windows.old is stored for thirty days. But here’s what’s interesting: files for installing build updates (upgrades) of the tenth modification itself are also placed in the same directory. In other words, they are, in a sense, files new system. Therefore, it is better not to touch this directory unless necessary. On the other hand, if you completely disable the installation of updates even for assemblies (but after downloading necessary components), you can get rid of this folder quite simply, but it is advisable to perform this operation not in manual mode, and using the C drive cleanup tool ( system partition) with additional activation of cleaning system files, where the corresponding item is marked in the list. But it should be taken into account that critical updates in the form Anniversary Update and above will not be subsequently installed. And this may affect the performance of some installed programs, for which such updates are initially required.

Practical benefits of the ReportingEvents log file and the folder with downloaded updates

So, we figured out where Windows 10 updates are stored. Now let's look at the practical side of applying such knowledge. First of all, attention should be paid to the text file magazine, opened in the most common Notepad.

It contains all the information regarding the processes of downloading and installing update packages, with a description of the errors and failures that have arisen for each of them. Thus, if the report indicates that errors occurred during the installation of a package, knowing its number, you can install the update again yourself. To do this, go to the online catalog resource Microsoft updates, search by the number of the faulty package (it is not necessary to enter the abbreviation “KB” before it, which marks all packages), and then download the required package in MSU format and install it by running the downloaded file.

Note: from the directory with the saved data, execute manual installation impossible, because it contains not installation files, but cached data.

But if there is a need to reinstall the entire system, you can first copy the files from the SoftwareDistribution folder to removable media(and only those packages that you consider necessary), so as not to wait for the verification and installation of all updates after the installation of the system itself is completed. Pay special attention to the fact that if the package name contains the prefix “EXPRESS”, such files and directories can not be copied, but can be safely skipped (forced manual installation is not provided for them anyway).

How to cancel updates using the simplest method?

As for canceling the installation of updates, there should not be any particular difficulties. The most primitive, but not always appropriate, method is a standard rollback to a previous state.

The nuance is that when returning to a certain point (date), absolutely all updates that were installed after that will be deleted, that is, it will not be possible to selectively get rid of, for example, unnecessary or faulty updates.

Manual removal of updates

Such actions can be performed directly in the programs and components section, which is located in the standard (and not the new) “Control Panel” (control in the “Run” menu).

In it you should go to the item for viewing installed updates, highlight the one you need and click the delete button. In the same way, you can simply get rid of any package by using special uninstaller programs like iObit Uninstaller.

In them you can find a special section with a list of recently installed updates, in which, as in the previous case, you need to select a package and click the delete button. The use of uninstallers is advantageous in that they are able to get rid of all residual components, since built-in system tools very often leave a lot of unnecessary entries in system registry, as well as files and directories associated with the main package or application being removed.

Actions with the update saving directory

But when deleting the folder itself, described above, knowing where Windows 10 updates are downloaded will come in handy. It goes without saying that when you try easy removal From Explorer you will see a message that you must first stop the process associated with using the directory. This applies to the Update Center service.

It can only be deactivated in the services section (services.msc) by first clicking the stop button and then setting the startup to disabled. If this is not done, even actions directly in the update management section will be ineffective. Terminating the process in the Task Manager will also lead to nothing, since after some period of time (very short) the process will start again on its own.

IN latest version Microsoft's OS lacks the classic Update Center application. Some users cannot install update packages on their computer because they do not know where the Update Center is located in Windows 10. You will read where the utility is located in this article.

Where is it located?

Microsoft developers have removed the classic Windows Update application from . It is now located in the Settings app.

Start menu → Settings → Update and Security → “Windows Update” item.

To check for updates for your computer, click the “Check for updates” button. There are almost no application settings in the main window. You will find them by clicking on the item " Additional options» (only available for Pro versions, Enterprise, Education).

How to restore the classic version?

If you are used to using the classic application to update your computer, restore the classic Update Center.

Important! This method only works in early Windows builds 10.

More detailed instructions indicated in the video.

Shutdown

Disabling the application is done in standard utilities - Services and the local group policy editor. Here you can turn it back on. You will find information on how to disconnect in other ways in the article “”.

In services

In the Local Group Policy Editor

Important! This method is only available in Windows versions 10 Pro and Enterprise.

Good to know! After making changes, go to settings and check for updates for your computer. Changes do not always take effect immediately.

The video shows the shutdown process clearly.

Fixing errors when downloading update packages

Conclusion

Classic Update Center in new version There is no OS in the control panel. It's located in the Settings app. Restore standard utility is possible only in early builds of Windows 10. If problems arise when downloading packages for updating your PC, reset all Update Center settings.

"Update Center" - built-in Windows service 10, responsible for installation system updates and drivers for third-party devices. If it stops working, the computer will not receive any updates or drivers. You can fix it manually without reinstalling the system, or even download updates from another source.

Where is Windows 10 Update located?

To start searching for updates or change the standard conditions for receiving them, you need to go to the Update Center settings:

IN previous versions operating room Windows systems"Update Center" could be found in the "Control Panel". There is no such option in Windows 10. The default settings are different for different editions Windows: The Home edition has fewer options than the Professional, Enterprise, and Education editions.

Why does Update Center stop working?

There are times when Update Center stops working:

does not download updates;
downloads updates with errors, incompletely, incorrectly;
stops starting;
freezes;
produces errors with various codes.

This can happen for two reasons:

a virus got onto your computer and damaged some system files, including Update Center;
the user's actions led to this result.

It is also worth understanding that the reason for unsuccessful installation of updates may be not only in the Update Center, but also in other components. For example:

in damaged system files;
in third-party devices connected to the computer;
in a third-party antivirus that blocks the installation of updates by mistake.

Solving possible problems

There are ways to manually launch Update Center or restore its files. Before you start fixing the Update Center, make sure that the problem is not an unstable Internet connection. Interruptions in downloading updates and the appearance of errors may be caused by connection problems.

“Update Center” has disappeared or does not open, the update does not start

If any problems arise with the Update Center, you need to check whether the corresponding service is running. If it is deactivated, then Update Center will not be able to perform any actions. The service is sometimes disabled on purpose, but it can also end on its own. To enable the service:

Before manually trying to fix the problem, trust Easy Fix to do the job. official program from Microsoft. Previously for automatic elimination errors, the Fix It program collection was used, but its support has now been discontinued, and the current collection at the moment is Easy Fix. On the official Microsoft website you can find full list mini-programs, each of which is aimed at correcting errors in a specific system process.

Find Easy Fix on the official Microsoft website.
In the list of solutions, click "Fix Windows Update errors."
Click "Fix Windows Update errors"
In the first step, select Windows item 10.

Select your OS - Windows 10
Start downloading the wu170509.diagcab file by clicking on the “Windows Update Troubleshooter” link.

Download the wu170509 utility by clicking on the link “Windows Update Troubleshooter”
Run the program with administrator rights, in the first step select “Windows Update” and click “Next”.
Select Windows Update and click Next
Wait while the program finishes searching for the problem, this may take several minutes. Upon completion of the work, information about the result will be displayed. And if problems with the Update Center have been identified and corrected, you will see it.

Scan the update center using Easy Fix

Alternative options for receiving updates

You may not want to fix Windows Update if you find out that there is another way to get Windows 10 updates. There are a couple of alternative options:

third-party official and unofficial programs;
manual download of update files.

All of the methods described below allow you to perform an update without losing user data. The process is identical to a normal update via standard remedy Windows 10

Third party official programs

There are two programs from Microsoft, both are located on the corporation's official website. Look for them on the page with a tool for upgrading to Windows 10 from previous versions of the Windows operating system.

Third party unofficial programs

There are several non-Microsoft programs that allow you to update your system and selectively download updates. For example, you can use Windows Update Minitool. The program has Russian language and a clear interface.

Receive updates directly

You can download updates directly from the official Microsoft website. To install them, just run the downloaded file. Recommended download anniversary updates, and not all in a row, so that there is no confusion.

Download Windows 10 updates from the Microsoft website

Restoring Windows Update

Many problems associated with Update can be resolved by restoring its files to their original values.

Launch any available text editor (Notepad, Notepad) and paste into it the commands given after these instructions.
Copy and paste text editor commands
Save the resulting file with the .bat extension in ANSI encoding.
Save a file with commands in bat format and ANSI encoding
Execute the resulting .bat with administrator rights. Run the resulting batch file as administrator
Will start automatically command line, it will execute the commands necessary for recovery. During this process there will be:

Commands that need to be written in the first step of the instructions in text editor(remember to ignore punctuation from the list formatting):

@ECHO OFF;
echo Reset Windows Update;
echo.;
PAUSE;
echo. attrib -h -r -s %windir%\system32\catroot2;
attrib -h -r -s %windir%\system32\catroot2\*.*;
net stop wuauserv;
net stop CryptSvc;
net stop BITS;
ren %windir%\system32\catroot2 catroot2.old;
ren %windir%\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old;
ren "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\application data\Microsoft\Network\downloader" downloader.old;
net Start BITS;
net start CryptSvc;
net start wuauserv;
echo.;
echo Ready;
echo.;
PAUSE.

The same method can help get out of situations when:

updates are not installed;
won't load;
Downloading updates freezes at 0%.

Don't forget that updates may not download well due to unstable connection with the Internet or damaged network adapter settings.

Windows Update gives error codes

You may encounter a situation where Update Center produces errors with the following codes:

0x80248007;
0x80080005;
0x800705b4;
0x80070057;
0x8024402f;
0x80070643;
0x8024401c.

To get rid of them, follow these steps:

Go to the %windir%\SoftwareDistribution folder and find the Download and DataStore subfolders in it.
Clear subfolders of the %windir%\SoftwareDistribution folder
Delete the contents of the Download and DataStore folders. Please note that it is not the folders themselves that need to be deleted, but the files inside them.
In the Services program, enable or restart the Update Center and Windows Installer».
Restart the Windows Installer and Windows Update services
Restore Update Center (the process is described above in the paragraph of the same name in this article).
Since the problem may be due to damaged system files, do the following:

Video: what to do if Update Center does not work

In Windows 10, Update is located only in System Settings. If Update Center stops working, you can fix it using automatic troubleshooting, restarting services, or restoring to original settings. In addition, there are ways to install updates without using Update Center.

As in previous versions of Windows, you can manage Update Center settings using group policies, which are also regulated by editing registry settings.

Using Group Policy Editor

When updates are available for your system, you will receive a banner notification that will be saved in the Notification Center.

This setting method is not available in Windows edition 10 Home due to the lack of an editor group policy. However, it is possible to customize how Windows 10 Home receives updates by editing registry settings.

Using Registry Settings

Open Registry Editor (Win + R - regedit)
Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows
Right click on Windows section and select New - Section
Enter the name of the WindowsUpdate section
In the new section, create a subsection named AU in the same way.
Place the mouse cursor on the AU subsection. On the right side of the Registry Editor, right-click and select New - DWORD Value (32-bit).
Name the new option AUOptions
Similarly, create three more parameters with the following names: NoAutoUpdate, ScheduledInstallDay, ScheduledInstallTime (optional NoAutoRebootWithLoggedOnUsers).

Now set the values of these parameters depending on your choice:

Parameter	Description	Available values
AUOptions	This parameter controls how updates are received and installed.	2 - Notify before downloading and installing any updates 3 - Automatically download updates and notify when they are ready to install (default) 4 - Automatically download updates and install them according to a specified schedule 5 - Allow local administrators select notification and installation configuration mode for automatic update
NoAutoUpdate	This option allows you to disable searching for and installing updates	0 - Automatic installation updates enabled. Updates will be downloaded and installed depending on the settings of the AUOptions parameter 1 - Automatic installation of updates is disabled (not recommended)
ScheduledInstallDay	This option allows you to schedule updates to be installed on a specific day of the week. 4	0 - daily 1 - every Monday 2 - every Tuesday 3 - every Wednesday 4 - every Thursday 5 - every Friday 6 - every Saturday 7 - every Sunday
ScheduledInstallTime	This option allows you to schedule updates to be installed at a specific time. Works only if the value of the AUOptions parameter = 4	Values available for this parameter range from 0 to 23 , which corresponds to the hours in the day.
NoAutoRebootWithLoggedOnUsers	This parameter specifies that the Automatic Updates service will wait for any logged on user to restart the computer instead of automatic reboot computer. Works only if the value of the AUOptions parameter = 4	1 - disable automatic reboot 0 - enable automatic reboot