Why can't I download Windows updates?

Question

Every time I go to the Windows update page I get the message "Files required to use Microsoft Update are no longer registered or installed on your computer. To continue:" then I click on the "Register or reinstall the files for me now". After brief downloading & registering status messages, it just takes me back to the first page again (that I don't have the necessary files). Can anyone help?

My copy of Windows IS genuine, though I don't have windows genuine advantage installed on it as I've heard some bad things about it (such as it being spyware).

Answer 1

Try this>>>start>>>run>>>key in:regsvr32 wuaueng1.dll
Then key in:

wuapi.dll
wuaueng.dll
wucltui.dll
wups.dll

That's for each one key in:
regsvr32 then the file name
the single space between the 32 and the first letter of the file name is important
don't key in the colon

source :
http://www.theeldergeek.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=18082

regards,
Philip T

Answer 2

Well.. be careful with security updates because I have a Windows XP version and when i once downloaded the security updates my computer locked down everything I couldnt see HTML, windows media player didnt work, limewire or kazza or anything like that wouldnt work, and it took me hours to fix. Some updates just say windows xp updates I would stick with just downloading those and not the security upates and just put a type of pop up blocker or virus detection like McAfee on your computer instead of downloading security updates.

Answer 3

Perhaps you had a bug that removed, renamed or destroyed files necessary for you to download the updates. If you use your CD you may be able to locate the missing files and reinstall them. It should give you the option of only installing the missing files, which the CD will determine, depending on the OS you are using. You might also want to run disk scan and select the automatically repair problems option. good luck to you.

Answer 4

Sometimes simply re-registering the MSXML3.DLL will fix the problem. Try this:
1. Click Start.
2. Choose Run.
3. In the Run box, type: regsvr32 MSXML3.DLL
Press OK

If that hasn't helped you may need to re-registered some more files:

1. Click Start.
2. Choose Run.
3. In the Run box, type (pressing OK after each one) :-

net stop wuauserv

Repeat for the following:
regsvr32 wuapi.dll
regsvr32 wups.dll
regsvr32 wuaueng.dll
regsvr32 wuaueng1.dll
regsvr32 wucltui.dll
regsvr32 wuweb.dll
regsvr32 MSXML3.dll
regsvr32 qmgr.dll
regsvr32 qmgrprxy.dll
regsvr32 jscript.dll

net start wuauserv

.

Answer 5

As the first response says, contact Microsoft but only if you have a legal copy of Windows OS.

However, if your Windows OS is an illegal version, then you won't be able to get any updates,,,,,and your computer will be at risk if you don't.

Answer 6

Call Microsoft. They offer free help for tech support about there Windows Update Site.

Answer 7

Is it possible that you are using a browser other than Internet Explorer? I tried for the life of me to download updates using Firefox and kept getting hassled by Microsoft with weird errors of every sort (not consistent...) and then I finally got desperate and tried Internet Explorer and everything went smooth as silk. They favor their own derned browser!

Answer 8

You need the Genuine Advantage tool to get the updates now, it is also spyware but without it you don't get your security updates. The info goes to MS and they say they don't misuse it ie sell/pass it on.
Just run Ad-Aware SE Personal in quick scan before you connect to the internet :)
http://www.lavasoft.com - Ad-Aware SE Personal anti adware

Answer 9

You may have an old version of internet explorer, update it first if thats the problem, if your using windows 2000 or xp you will need internet explorer 6 or 7(xp only). I had the same problem.

Answer 10

You need to get Microsoft sp2 patch. You can also restore your computer to a recent previous setings at system restore under system tools.