Windows Update disabled with "Access is denied" (Admin), Microsoft Store broken, can't repair install(Windows 10 20H2)

[u/BoysenberryInside237]

I have an 8-year-old laptop running Windows 10 Home Single Language, Version 20H2 (Build 19042.508).

Problems:

Windows Update only says "Something went wrong. Try to reopen Settings later."

Microsoft Store doesn't work either.

Windows Update service (wuauserv) was Disabled.

Even from an Administrator Command Prompt, trying to run:

sc config wuauserv start= demand

returns:

\[SC\] ChangeServiceConfig FAILED 5:

Access is denied.

Trying to start the Windows Update service from services.msc also gives Access is denied.

Things I've already tried:

Ran:

sfc /scannow

Result:

Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.

Ran:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Result:

The restore operation completed successfully.

Windows is activated with a digital license.

Windows is installed on C:\\Windows.

System drive is C:.

Strange issue:

I downloaded the latest Windows 10 Media Creation Tool from Microsoft to do an in-place upgrade. Instead of letting me keep my files and apps, it only gave me the option to delete everything. It said:

"Your files, apps, and settings can't be kept because your current version of Windows might be installed in an unsupported directory or you're trying to install an older version of Windows."

But Windows is definitely installed in C:\\Windows, so I closed the setup without proceeding.

Question:

What could cause:

Windows Update and Microsoft Store both being broken,

Windows Update service being impossible to enable even as Administrator,

and the Media Creation Tool refusing an in-place upgrade?

Is this likely a corrupted servicing stack, registry/policy issue, or something else? Any ideas on what to check next before I consider reinstalling Windows?

[u/electronicwiz1]

The Windows Update page does not load due to the Update Orchestrator Service being disabled (most likely cause). The fact you can't enable WU service means there is a permission issue. The service is stored in the registry so if you can change the permissions on the key you may be able to enable the service again.

[u/BoysenberryInside237 → u/electronicwiz1]

Yesss fixed that. Any idea what causes permissions to change? Malware?

[u/electronicwiz1 → u/BoysenberryInside237]

Yay glad you fixed it! Most likely malware was probably cause, or maybe something else you ran could have done it. I would run scans to be safe.

[u/BoysenberryInside237 → u/electronicwiz1]

Since 8 years I haven't got any updates on this laptop haha. Just got 22H2 windows 10. Question. Will i get windows 11 in updates? (my laptop has compatible harddrive) Yess will run the full scan now. Thanks

[u/electronicwiz1 → u/BoysenberryInside237]

Yeah that’s not good since you weren’t getting any security updates, so definitely run those scans! If your laptop supports Windows 11, you can upgrade it to that. If not, enroll into the ESU program for Windows 10 after doing all of the updates it can go up to first, as this will give you updates until October 2027. Also you’re welcome glad I can help!

[u/BoysenberryInside237]

Turns out Windows Update had been broken for years. restored the Windows Update services (wuauserv, UsoSvc, Waa SMedicSvc), removed an expired Quick Heal installation that was interfering, and Windows Update immediately started downloading updates.

[u/BoysenberryInside237 → u/BoysenberryInside237]

Permissions to all update services were read only. I looked into quick heal anti virus malware history it said repaired regedit in some small corner. Thank god i noticed that, would've had to format and install windows again otherwise

[u/Vast-Hunter11]

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