Windows Update (wuauserv) Service Defaults in Windows 11

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: Manual
Display name:Windows Update
Service name:wuauserv
Service type:share
Error control:normal
Object:LocalSystem
Path:%SystemRoot%\system32\svchost.exe -k netsvcs -p
File:%SystemRoot%\system32\wuaueng.dll
Registry key:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\wuauserv
Privileges:
  • SeAuditPrivilege
  • SeCreateGlobalPrivilege
  • SeCreatePageFilePrivilege
  • SeTcbPrivilege
  • SeAssignPrimaryTokenPrivilege
  • SeImpersonatePrivilege
  • SeIncreaseQuotaPrivilege
  • SeShutdownPrivilege
  • SeDebugPrivilege
  • SeBackupPrivilege
  • SeRestorePrivilege
  • SeSecurityPrivilege
  • SeTakeOwnershipPrivilege
  • SeLoadDriverPrivilege
  • SeManageVolumePrivilege
  • SeSystemEnvironmentPrivilege
  • SeCreateSymbolicLinkPrivilege
  • SeIncreaseBasePriorityPrivilege

Default Behavior

Windows Update is a Win32 service. In Windows 11 it starts only if the user, an application or another service starts it. When the Windows Update service is started, it logs on as LocalSystem and running in a shared process of svchost.exe. If Windows Update fails to start, the failure details will be recorded into Event Log. Then Windows 11 should boot up and notify the user about the wuauserv service startup failure.

Dependencies

Windows Update cannot be started, if the Remote Procedure Call (RPC) service won't start.

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 command below, paste it into the command window and press ENTER:

sc config wuauserv start= demand

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 11 installation media.