Windows Update (wuauserv) Service Defaults in Windows 7

Enables the detection, download, and installation of updates for Windows and other programs. If this service is disabled, users of your computer will not be able to use Windows Update or its automatic updating feature, and programs will not be able to use the Windows Update Agent (WUA) API.

Default Settings

Startup type: Automatic (Delayed Start)
Display name:Windows Update
Service name:wuauserv
Service type:share
Error control:normal
Object:LocalSystem
Path:%SystemRoot%\system32\svchost.exe -k netsvcs
File:%SystemRoot%\system32\wuaueng.dll
Registry key:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\wuauserv
Privileges:
  • SeAuditPrivilege
  • SeCreateGlobalPrivilege
  • SeCreatePageFilePrivilege
  • SeTcbPrivilege
  • SeAssignPrimaryTokenPrivilege
  • SeImpersonatePrivilege
  • SeIncreaseQuotaPrivilege
  • SeShutdownPrivilege

Default Behavior

Windows Update is a Win32 service. In Windows 7 it is starting automatically after the operating system is started. Then the Windows Update service is running as LocalSystem in a shared process of svchost.exe. Other system components, such as drivers and services, may run in the same process. If Windows Update fails to start, Windows 7 attempts to write the failure details into Event Log. Then Windows 7 startup should proceed and the user should be notified that the wuauserv service is not running because of the error.

Dependencies

Windows Update is unable to start, if the Remote Procedure Call (RPC) service is stopped or disabled.

Restore Default Startup Configuration of Windows Update

Before you begin doing this, make sure that all the services on which Windows Update depends are configured by default and function properly. See the list of dependencies above.

1. Run the Command Prompt as an administrator.

2. Copy the commands below, paste them into the command window and press ENTER:

sc config wuauserv start= delayed-auto
sc start wuauserv

3. Close the command window and restart the computer.

The wuauserv service is using the wuaueng.dll file that is located in the C:\Windows\system32 directory. If the file is removed or corrupted, read this article to restore its original version from Windows 7 installation media.