0x800a0046 Windows Update Error

Ever since I updated Windows XP to SP2 am I unable to run Windows Update as I keep getting 0x800a0046 errors.
I have even tried Version 6 of Windows Update but I still get the error.
I have tried the following suggestions below and NONE of them has fixed my problem. If you can suggest a possible solution that has worked please append it to the end of the list.
Regards
Peter

A. Remove the user account that is experiencing difficulty from the Guests or Limited account groups:

1. Click Start, click Run, type control admintools, and then click OK.
2. Click Computer Management.
3. Expand Local Users and Groups.
4. Select Users.
5. Open the account that is used to access Windows Update.
6. Click the Member Of tab.
7. Select the user account that you want to remove, and then click Remove.

B. Set the Security Descriptor:
1. First stop the Automatic Update Service

2. Click Start
3. Choose Run
4. Type cmd and then click OK. Type:

sc sdset bits
"DA;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;SY*)(A;;CCDCLCSWRPWPDT LOCRSDRCWDW*O;;;BA)(A;;CCLCSWLOCRRC;;;AU)(*A;;CCLC SWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;PU)"

sc sdset wuauserv DA;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;SY)
(A;;CCDCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRSDRCWDWO;;;BA)
(A;;CCLCSWLOCRRC;;;AU)(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;PU)

and then press ENTER.

You will receive a "Success" message.
5. Type Exit to close the command prompt.
6. Start Automatic Update Service and try Windows Update again.

(NB - You should be able to confirm that this has worked by typing: sc sdshow wuauserv in a command prompt!)

C. Verify the Local Administrator and Service account are added to the "Impersonate a client after authentication" security policy.

1. Click Start.
2. Point to Programs.
3. Point to Administrative Tools.
4. Choose Local Security Policy.
5. Expand Local Policies.
6. Choose User Rights Assignment.
7. Double-click to open the Impersonate a client after authentication policy.
8. On the Local Security Setting tab, add the Service and Administrator to the list of Users and Groups.
9. Click OK.
10. Restart the system.

D. The "Automatic Updates" service is not running as the correct user.
1. To check/fix this, find "Automatic Updates" in the services list and choose "properties".
2. Then select the "Log On" tab and make sure the button for "Local System Account" is selected.
3. If it isn't, then close the window and restart the system.

E. Enable Userdata Persistence in Internet Explorer
1.. Start Internet Explorer.
2.. On the Tools menu, click Internet Options.
3.. Select the Security tab.
4.. Select the Internet Web zone icon.
5.. To adjust the security level, click Custom Level.
6.. Under Miscellaneous enable Userdata persistence.
7.. The Are you sure you want to change the security settings for this zone dialog box opens.
8.. Click Yes.
9.. Click OK.
10.. Try Windows Update again.

Hi Peter, this information is from my notes, it appears you have tried everything
else:-

In addition, this issue may occur if you don't have the correct permissions set on
the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT hive in the registry.

1. Click Start > Run
2. Enter regedit into the Run field and click OK
3. Right-Click on the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT item and select Permissions
4. Please write down the items listed under Group or user name
5. Make sure that the Full Control check box under Allow is checked for the
Administrators group.
6. If the only group listed is everyone, make sure Full Control under Allow is
checked
7. Uncheck any boxes that are currently checked in the Deny column
8. Click OK
9. Register the following DLLs
wuapi.dll
wuaueng1.dll
wuaueng.dll
wucltui.dll
10. Restart the Automatic Updates service by running the following commands
net stop wuauserv
net start wuauserv
11. Restart the BITS service by running the following commands
net stop bits
net start bits

http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;EN-US;322756
HOW TO: Back Up, Edit, and Restore the Registry in Windows XP
Disclaimer: Modifying the registry can cause serious problems that may require you to
reinstall your operating system. Use the information provided at your own risk.



Peter Lapic wrote:
> Ever since I updated Windows XP to SP2 am I unable to run Windows
> Update as I keep getting 0x800a0046 errors.
> I have even tried Version 6 of Windows Update but I still get the
> error.
> I have tried the following suggestions below and NONE of them has
> fixed my problem. If you can suggest a possible solution that has
> worked please append it to the end of the list.
> Regards
> Peter
>
> A. Remove the user account that is experiencing difficulty from the
> Guests or Limited account groups:
>
> 1. Click Start, click Run, type control admintools, and then click OK.
> 2. Click Computer Management.
> 3. Expand Local Users and Groups.
> 4. Select Users.
> 5. Open the account that is used to access Windows Update.
> 6. Click the Member Of tab.
> 7. Select the user account that you want to remove, and then click
> Remove.
>
> B. Set the Security Descriptor:
> 1. First stop the Automatic Update Service
>
> 2. Click Start
> 3. Choose Run
> 4. Type cmd and then click OK. Type:
>
> sc sdset bits
>
> "DA;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;SY*)(A;;CCDCLCSWRPWPDT LOCRSDRCWDW*O;;;BA)(A;;CCLCSWLOCRRC;;;AU)(*A;;CCLC SWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;PU)"
>
> sc sdset wuauserv DA;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;SY)
> (A;;CCDCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRSDRCWDWO;;;BA)
> (A;;CCLCSWLOCRRC;;;AU)(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;PU)
>
> and then press ENTER.
>
> You will receive a "Success" message.
> 5. Type Exit to close the command prompt.
> 6. Start Automatic Update Service and try Windows Update again.
>
> (NB - You should be able to confirm that this has worked by typing:
> sc sdshow wuauserv in a command prompt!)
>
> C. Verify the Local Administrator and Service account are added to
> the "Impersonate a client after authentication" security policy.
>
> 1. Click Start.
> 2. Point to Programs.
> 3. Point to Administrative Tools.
> 4. Choose Local Security Policy.
> 5. Expand Local Policies.
> 6. Choose User Rights Assignment.
> 7. Double-click to open the Impersonate a client after authentication
> policy.
> 8. On the Local Security Setting tab, add the Service and
> Administrator to the list of Users and Groups.
> 9. Click OK.
> 10. Restart the system.
>
> D. The "Automatic Updates" service is not running as the correct user.
> 1. To check/fix this, find "Automatic Updates" in the services list
> and choose "properties".
> 2. Then select the "Log On" tab and make sure the button for "Local
> System Account" is selected.
> 3. If it isn't, then close the window and restart the system.
>
> E. Enable Userdata Persistence in Internet Explorer
> 1.. Start Internet Explorer.
> 2.. On the Tools menu, click Internet Options.
> 3.. Select the Security tab.
> 4.. Select the Internet Web zone icon.
> 5.. To adjust the security level, click Custom Level.
> 6.. Under Miscellaneous enable Userdata persistence.
> 7.. The Are you sure you want to change the security settings for
> this zone dialog box opens.
> 8.. Click Yes.
> 9.. Click OK.
> 10.. Try Windows Update again.

For reference I will assign your suggestion as F which is the next letter
after the previous suggestions below.
I have tried suggestion F and I still keep getting the error.
So you know, "Everyone" already had Full Control in HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT hive

Regards
Peter

"TaurArian" <> wrote in message
news:...
> Hi Peter, this information is from my notes, it appears you have tried
> everything else:-
>
> In addition, this issue may occur if you don't have the correct
> permissions set on the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT hive in the registry.
>
> 1. Click Start > Run
> 2. Enter regedit into the Run field and click OK
> 3. Right-Click on the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT item and select Permissions
> 4. Please write down the items listed under Group or user name
> 5. Make sure that the Full Control check box under Allow is checked for
> the Administrators group.
> 6. If the only group listed is everyone, make sure Full Control under
> Allow is checked
> 7. Uncheck any boxes that are currently checked in the Deny column
> 8. Click OK
> 9. Register the following DLLs
> wuapi.dll
> wuaueng1.dll
> wuaueng.dll
> wucltui.dll
> 10. Restart the Automatic Updates service by running the following
> commands
> net stop wuauserv
> net start wuauserv
> 11. Restart the BITS service by running the following commands
> net stop bits
> net start bits
>
> http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;EN-US;322756
> HOW TO: Back Up, Edit, and Restore the Registry in Windows XP
> Disclaimer: Modifying the registry can cause serious problems that may
> require you to reinstall your operating system. Use the information
> provided at your own risk.
>
>
>
> Peter Lapic wrote:
>> Ever since I updated Windows XP to SP2 am I unable to run Windows
>> Update as I keep getting 0x800a0046 errors.
>> I have even tried Version 6 of Windows Update but I still get the
>> error.
>> I have tried the following suggestions below and NONE of them has
>> fixed my problem. If you can suggest a possible solution that has
>> worked please append it to the end of the list.
>> Regards
>> Peter
>>
>> A. Remove the user account that is experiencing difficulty from the
>> Guests or Limited account groups:
>>
>> 1. Click Start, click Run, type control admintools, and then click OK.
>> 2. Click Computer Management.
>> 3. Expand Local Users and Groups.
>> 4. Select Users.
>> 5. Open the account that is used to access Windows Update.
>> 6. Click the Member Of tab.
>> 7. Select the user account that you want to remove, and then click
>> Remove.
>>
>> B. Set the Security Descriptor:
>> 1. First stop the Automatic Update Service
>>
>> 2. Click Start
>> 3. Choose Run
>> 4. Type cmd and then click OK. Type:
>>
>> sc sdset bits
>>
>> "DA;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;SY*)(A;;CCDCLCSWRPWPDT LOCRSDRCWDW*O;;;BA)(A;;CCLCSWLOCRRC;;;AU)(*A;;CCLC SWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;PU)"
>>
>> sc sdset wuauserv DA;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;SY)
>> (A;;CCDCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRSDRCWDWO;;;BA)
>> (A;;CCLCSWLOCRRC;;;AU)(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;PU)
>>
>> and then press ENTER.
>>
>> You will receive a "Success" message.
>> 5. Type Exit to close the command prompt.
>> 6. Start Automatic Update Service and try Windows Update again.
>>
>> (NB - You should be able to confirm that this has worked by typing:
>> sc sdshow wuauserv in a command prompt!)
>>
>> C. Verify the Local Administrator and Service account are added to
>> the "Impersonate a client after authentication" security policy.
>>
>> 1. Click Start.
>> 2. Point to Programs.
>> 3. Point to Administrative Tools.
>> 4. Choose Local Security Policy.
>> 5. Expand Local Policies.
>> 6. Choose User Rights Assignment.
>> 7. Double-click to open the Impersonate a client after authentication
>> policy.
>> 8. On the Local Security Setting tab, add the Service and
>> Administrator to the list of Users and Groups.
>> 9. Click OK.
>> 10. Restart the system.
>>
>> D. The "Automatic Updates" service is not running as the correct user.
>> 1. To check/fix this, find "Automatic Updates" in the services list
>> and choose "properties".
>> 2. Then select the "Log On" tab and make sure the button for "Local
>> System Account" is selected.
>> 3. If it isn't, then close the window and restart the system.
>>
>> E. Enable Userdata Persistence in Internet Explorer
>> 1.. Start Internet Explorer.
>> 2.. On the Tools menu, click Internet Options.
>> 3.. Select the Security tab.
>> 4.. Select the Internet Web zone icon.
>> 5.. To adjust the security level, click Custom Level.
>> 6.. Under Miscellaneous enable Userdata persistence.
>> 7.. The Are you sure you want to change the security settings for
>> this zone dialog box opens.
>> 8.. Click Yes.
>> 9.. Click OK.
>> 10.. Try Windows Update again.
>

Hope you have better luck with suggestion "G"
Kaylene

"Peter Lapic" wrote:

> For reference I will assign your suggestion as F which is the next letter
> after the previous suggestions below.
> I have tried suggestion F and I still keep getting the error.
> So you know, "Everyone" already had Full Control in HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT hive
>
> Regards
> Peter
>
> "TaurArian" <> wrote in message
> news:...
> > Hi Peter, this information is from my notes, it appears you have tried
> > everything else:-
> >
> > In addition, this issue may occur if you don't have the correct
> > permissions set on the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT hive in the registry.
> >
> > 1. Click Start > Run
> > 2. Enter regedit into the Run field and click OK
> > 3. Right-Click on the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT item and select Permissions
> > 4. Please write down the items listed under Group or user name
> > 5. Make sure that the Full Control check box under Allow is checked for
> > the Administrators group.
> > 6. If the only group listed is everyone, make sure Full Control under
> > Allow is checked
> > 7. Uncheck any boxes that are currently checked in the Deny column
> > 8. Click OK
> > 9. Register the following DLLs
> > wuapi.dll
> > wuaueng1.dll
> > wuaueng.dll
> > wucltui.dll
> > 10. Restart the Automatic Updates service by running the following
> > commands
> > net stop wuauserv
> > net start wuauserv
> > 11. Restart the BITS service by running the following commands
> > net stop bits
> > net start bits
> >
> > http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;EN-US;322756
> > HOW TO: Back Up, Edit, and Restore the Registry in Windows XP
> > Disclaimer: Modifying the registry can cause serious problems that may
> > require you to reinstall your operating system. Use the information
> > provided at your own risk.
> >
> >
> >
> > Peter Lapic wrote:
> >> Ever since I updated Windows XP to SP2 am I unable to run Windows
> >> Update as I keep getting 0x800a0046 errors.
> >> I have even tried Version 6 of Windows Update but I still get the
> >> error.
> >> I have tried the following suggestions below and NONE of them has
> >> fixed my problem. If you can suggest a possible solution that has
> >> worked please append it to the end of the list.
> >> Regards
> >> Peter
> >>
> >> A. Remove the user account that is experiencing difficulty from the
> >> Guests or Limited account groups:
> >>
> >> 1. Click Start, click Run, type control admintools, and then click OK.
> >> 2. Click Computer Management.
> >> 3. Expand Local Users and Groups.
> >> 4. Select Users.
> >> 5. Open the account that is used to access Windows Update.
> >> 6. Click the Member Of tab.
> >> 7. Select the user account that you want to remove, and then click
> >> Remove.
> >>
> >> B. Set the Security Descriptor:
> >> 1. First stop the Automatic Update Service
> >>
> >> 2. Click Start
> >> 3. Choose Run
> >> 4. Type cmd and then click OK. Type:
> >>
> >> sc sdset bits
> >>
> >> "DA;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;SYÂ*)(A;;CCDCLCSWRPWPD TLOCRSDRCWDWÂ*O;;;BA)(A;;CCLCSWLOCRRC;;;AU)(Â*A;;C CLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;PU)"
> >>
> >> sc sdset wuauserv DA;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;SY)
> >> (A;;CCDCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRSDRCWDWO;;;BA)
> >> (A;;CCLCSWLOCRRC;;;AU)(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;PU)
> >>
> >> and then press ENTER.
> >>
> >> You will receive a "Success" message.
> >> 5. Type Exit to close the command prompt.
> >> 6. Start Automatic Update Service and try Windows Update again.
> >>
> >> (NB - You should be able to confirm that this has worked by typing:
> >> sc sdshow wuauserv in a command prompt!)
> >>
> >> C. Verify the Local Administrator and Service account are added to
> >> the "Impersonate a client after authentication" security policy.
> >>
> >> 1. Click Start.
> >> 2. Point to Programs.
> >> 3. Point to Administrative Tools.
> >> 4. Choose Local Security Policy.
> >> 5. Expand Local Policies.
> >> 6. Choose User Rights Assignment.
> >> 7. Double-click to open the Impersonate a client after authentication
> >> policy.
> >> 8. On the Local Security Setting tab, add the Service and
> >> Administrator to the list of Users and Groups.
> >> 9. Click OK.
> >> 10. Restart the system.
> >>
> >> D. The "Automatic Updates" service is not running as the correct user.
> >> 1. To check/fix this, find "Automatic Updates" in the services list
> >> and choose "properties".
> >> 2. Then select the "Log On" tab and make sure the button for "Local
> >> System Account" is selected.
> >> 3. If it isn't, then close the window and restart the system.
> >>
> >> E. Enable Userdata Persistence in Internet Explorer
> >> 1.. Start Internet Explorer.
> >> 2.. On the Tools menu, click Internet Options.
> >> 3.. Select the Security tab.
> >> 4.. Select the Internet Web zone icon.
> >> 5.. To adjust the security level, click Custom Level.
> >> 6.. Under Miscellaneous enable Userdata persistence.
> >> 7.. The Are you sure you want to change the security settings for
> >> this zone dialog box opens.
> >> 8.. Click Yes.
> >> 9.. Click OK.
> >> 10.. Try Windows Update again.
> >
>
>
>

"Peter Lapic" <> wrote in message
news:%
....
> If you can suggest a possible solution that has worked please append it to the end of the list.

Try a search? Others have posted other solutions which aren't
included in MSKB articles yet but fortunately many are recorded
in threads which people who sign with MVP or MSFT were participating.

For example:

http://groups-beta.google.com/group/...46107d5c5f17d7

(Google Groups search for
800A0046 OR 0x800A0046 MSFT OR MVP group:microsoft.*.windowsupdate
)


In addition although the rating system on the web interface to
newsgroups is often not being used as well as it could,
in this particular case you can use either the "Answered Questions"
or the "Threads with helpful posts" filters to see even more
possible solutions for your symptom.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/e...xp=&sloc=en-us

(Web interface search for
0x800A0046
- filtered by Show: Threads with helpful posts
)


HTH

Robert Aldwinckle
---