Corrupted WindowsUpdate.Log File

How can I delete or replace the WindowsUpdate.log file? I can't open the
file because it is corrupted. I ran chkdsk /f but the problem did not go
away. The corrupted file prevents Windows Update from working. My laptop is
running XP Home SP2. Thanks in advance for any help.

"Jorge C",

This is a great question! Thank you for providing enough detail for a good
answer.

Conventions:
- In these instructions, keys on the keyboard are wrapped, such as: <Enter>,
so an instruction of: Type: cmd <Enter> means type the three letters cmd and
then press <Enter>.
- Combinations such as <Ctrl>+<S> mean to hold the <Ctrl> while then
pressing the <S>.

1. Click Start
2. Click Run
3. Type: cmd <Enter>
4. In the Command Prompt, type: cd %windir% <Enter>
5. Type: net stop wuauserv <Enter>
6. Type: del WindowsUpdate.log <Enter>
7. Type: notepad WindowsUpdate.log <Enter>
8. Confirm that you wish to create a new file by clicking Yes
9. Save the file by pressing <Ctrl>+<S>
10. Close the new WindowsUpdate.log file.
11. Type: In the Command Prompt again, type: net start wuauserv <Enter>

This next step is OPTIONAL, and only used if you have tracing enabled and
want to start writing to the WindowsUpdate.log again.
12. (OPTIONAL) Type:REG DELETE
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Win dowsUpdate\Trace /f
<-- This will remove tracing, if you have it enabled.

Write back and let us know how this goes.

Sincerely,

Pat Walters [MSFT]


"Jorge C" <> wrote in message
news:8200442D-6606-43DB-82BE-...
> How can I delete or replace the WindowsUpdate.log file? I can't open the
> file because it is corrupted. I ran chkdsk /f but the problem did not go
> away. The corrupted file prevents Windows Update from working. My laptop
is
> running XP Home SP2. Thanks in advance for any help.