Resolve most common Windows Update issues

Most common windows update issues

Applies to: Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows Server 2016, Windows 8.1, Windows 10

Errors:

Almost everybody recognizes the issues that some windows update keeps failing to download of refuse to install. This can be caused by some update files being downloaded and become corrupt. If this happens you can delete or rename the folder and it will be recreated in the same location.

Cause:

The most common case is that the update becomes corrupt on downloading. 

Resolution:
**
**you can solve this problem by hand or by a script. Just below I have two options for you to solve this issue
**
Automatic **

There are Various solutions to this problem.  a few month ago I posted a PowerShell script that solves most of the common windows update cache issues. A link can be found here: Remove windows update cache

By default, this script will stop the windows update related services. and removes the SoftwareDistribution Folder.

If you have further problems that you can use:
To reregister the Windows Update DLL's
Reset the Winsock
Restore the Windows Bit Service.

Manually

Of course, if you prefer to do steps by hand u can do the following

press Windows key + R
then type Services.msc
lookup and stop the following services:
-Windows Update

Locate the folder: systemroot\Windows\SoftwareDistribution
Delete this folder
Restart the Windows Service.

Let me add a few cautions here.

When removing the cache on an older version of windows you lose the view of what updates are installed and when. You can always view this list in the installed apps and features.

it is possible that the server will download a lot of files when the updates are downloaded again. This could give a bandwidth issues in your network.

If you use the Winsock Reset Parameter it is possible that u loose network connectivity until you reboot the machine.