Help! I've been a smarta**e and cannot renable windows updates

[Boosterdog]

So, a couple of months ago I gave AdamX's optimisations a go as they were recommended in one of the threads here. Results seemed ok - a few extra frames.

One of the optimisations was disabling auto updates via a group policy. Worry not cos theres a file to reverse the process in the description- er......except there isnt. And no I didnt check first like a responsible adult. Doh!

Now i have a situation where my PC tells me my organisation is managing these settings but there is no associated school or work account for me to delete to reverse it as indicated by any self help guides ive seen on line. 

A proper case of Smartassery on my part where my dumbness has outstripted my knowledge by a country mile.

Any suggestions from wiser minds appreciated. Below is the syntax of the batch file used to disable the updates for reference which I hope may give an indication of what has occurred.

 

@echo off
echo Batch File By Adamx
taskkill -F -FI "IMAGENAME eq SystemSettings.exe"
net stop wuauserv
net stop UsoSvc
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate" /v "DoNotConnectToWindowsUpdateInternetLocations" /t REG_DWORD /d "1" /f
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate" /v "SetDisableUXWUAccess" /t REG_DWORD /d "1" /f
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU" /v "NoAutoUpdate" /t REG_DWORD /d "1" /f
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate" /v "ExcludeWUDriversInQualityUpdate" /t REG_DWORD /d "1" /f
gpupdate /force
echo Deleting Windows Update Files
rd s q "C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution"
md "C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution"
net start wuauserv
net start UsoSvc
echo Windows Updates Are Successfully Disabled!
pause 

 

Thank you

[LucShep]

It could be a simple case of reverting the process by changing the strings with values "1" (Yes) to "0" (No), but messing with registry settings can turn sour sometimes. 
I'd recommend to contact AdamX first, if the recommended process is reversable with a provided file (which isn't there?), then he/she should help you out.

You can also try Windows Update Blocker by Sordum: https://www.sordum.org/9470/windows-update-blocker-v1-6/

Right mouse button click on the program (the Wub_x64.exe file) and select "run as administrator".
Then you can enable or disable the Windows updates, as desired (select one choice, then click "Apply Now"). 

Very good app, hopefully it can help you there.

Edited December 2, 2021 by LucShep

[BitMaster]

The entries were added, they are not there by default. Delete them and reboot or do a "gpupdate  /force" in command shell

4 hours ago, Boosterdog said:

reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate" /v "DoNotConnectToWindowsUpdateInternetLocations" /t REG_DWORD /d "1" /f
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate" /v "SetDisableUXWUAccess" /t REG_DWORD /d "1" /f
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU" /v "NoAutoUpdate" /t REG_DWORD /d "1" /f
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate" /v "ExcludeWUDriversInQualityUpdate" /t REG_DWORD /d "1" /f
gpupdate /force

edit*

only mess around with registry if you know what you are doing.

 

As a tip, a good tool to really clean & fix Windows PCs is made by macecraft.com and called "jv16 Power Tools". I use it since it's first iterations called RegSupreme back in the 2000's and I fixed dozens of client computers with that tool, nothing ever that I know came close to what this tool can do to revive a PC that is lame, slow, filled with junk that you need to deinstall & clean etc..  It's even free for 2 or 4 weeks to try it out full featured. I own a lifetime lic and dont regret it, goes for 5 PCs btw. I usually do not recommend such tools as they are like an Axe in the Forrest but if you use one, take that one.

Edited December 2, 2021 by BitMaster

[Hoirtel]

What about sfc /scannow? 

[BitMaster]

sfc /scannow does something else. It does NOT take care of registry entries or their effect on the PC.  SFC does scan your WInsxs folder if it is intact and if not you could try fixing it with the DISM command set. Again, not relevant for your issue.

[Boosterdog]

Thank you so much. 

Yeah - dont poke tigers or mess with the registry - sound advice. 

Really appreciate you all taking the time. 

 

Oh and deleting the entries of course fixed the issue.

 

Edited December 3, 2021 by Boosterdog

[BitMaster]

Sometimes it's just that simple