W2K Windows Update no longers works - 0x800A0046

I'm not sure when my windows update started failing, but I think it was when
the window updated client on my Windows 2000 box was updated to a newer
version. After it was updated, not only does the windows update client on
my PC not work, but when I go to the windows update web site for updates I
press custom on the updates page and I get error 0x800A0046. So I now can
not update my machine at all.

Has anyone else experienced anything like this ?

Yes. I am having the exact same problem. And to be perfectly honest, it is
becoming highly annoying.

Kay

"Dave" wrote:

> I'm not sure when my windows update started failing, but I think it was when
> the window updated client on my Windows 2000 box was updated to a newer
> version. After it was updated, not only does the windows update client on
> my PC not work, but when I go to the windows update web site for updates I
> press custom on the updates page and I get error 0x800A0046. So I now can
> not update my machine at all.
>
> Has anyone else experienced anything like this ?
>
>
>
>
>
>

Error 0x800A0046

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=883821
You may receive an error message when you search for available updates on the Windows
Update Web site

http://www.updatexp.com/0x800a0046.html
What causes Error 0x800a0046

When searching for available updates on the Windows Update site, you receive the
0x800A0046 error.
This error can occur if the user logon account is part of the Guests account or a
limited-user account, if the security descriptor does not allow have the
Authenticated Users to run Windows Update, or if the Impersonate a client after
authentication policy is missing Service and Administrators from the Users and Groups
list.
http://v5.windowsupdate.microsoft.co...cleid=20&ln=en

http://update.microsoft.com/windowsu...en&IsMu=False|
When searching for available updates on the Update site, you receive the 0x800A0046
error.


"Dave" <> wrote in message
news:%...
> I'm not sure when my windows update started failing, but I think it was when
> the window updated client on my Windows 2000 box was updated to a newer
> version. After it was updated, not only does the windows update client on
> my PC not work, but when I go to the windows update web site for updates I
> press custom on the updates page and I get error 0x800A0046. So I now can
> not update my machine at all.
>
> Has anyone else experienced anything like this ?
>
>
>
>
>

Thank you, TauArian [MVP]. However, I have already gone through all of this
from the Microsoft site. I am the Administrator of my system and also have a
seperate account profile set up for myself as a member of all the groups. I
am the only one who has access to my computer. Windows Update site still
shows that I am set up for atuomatic update notices and that I wish only to
be notified that they are ready for download. The only difference since the
last Critical update notice is that I went through the Microsoft Verification
of Genuine Products on my last Windows update and that was the last time my
update function worked properly.
Kay

"TaurArian [MVP]" wrote:

> Error 0x800A0046
>
> http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=883821
> You may receive an error message when you search for available updates on the Windows
> Update Web site
>
> http://www.updatexp.com/0x800a0046.html
> What causes Error 0x800a0046
>
> When searching for available updates on the Windows Update site, you receive the
> 0x800A0046 error.
> This error can occur if the user logon account is part of the Guests account or a
> limited-user account, if the security descriptor does not allow have the
> Authenticated Users to run Windows Update, or if the Impersonate a client after
> authentication policy is missing Service and Administrators from the Users and Groups
> list.
> http://v5.windowsupdate.microsoft.co...cleid=20&ln=en
>
> http://update.microsoft.com/windowsu...en&IsMu=False|
> When searching for available updates on the Update site, you receive the 0x800A0046
> error.
>
>
> "Dave" <> wrote in message
> news:%...
> > I'm not sure when my windows update started failing, but I think it was when
> > the window updated client on my Windows 2000 box was updated to a newer
> > version. After it was updated, not only does the windows update client on
> > my PC not work, but when I go to the windows update web site for updates I
> > press custom on the updates page and I get error 0x800A0046. So I now can
> > not update my machine at all.
> >
> > Has anyone else experienced anything like this ?
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>

Please check out my post titled 'Error number: 0x800A0046 Windows 2000 SP4
Critical Update Issue'. I think you are experiencing the same issue I am.
This link should get you to the posting.

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/com...wsupdate&fltr=

I posted it on 7/29/2005.

Randy

"chilibaby1" wrote:

> Thank you, TauArian [MVP]. However, I have already gone through all of this
> from the Microsoft site. I am the Administrator of my system and also have a
> seperate account profile set up for myself as a member of all the groups. I
> am the only one who has access to my computer. Windows Update site still
> shows that I am set up for atuomatic update notices and that I wish only to
> be notified that they are ready for download. The only difference since the
> last Critical update notice is that I went through the Microsoft Verification
> of Genuine Products on my last Windows update and that was the last time my
> update function worked properly.
> Kay
>
> "TaurArian [MVP]" wrote:
>
> > Error 0x800A0046
> >
> > http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=883821
> > You may receive an error message when you search for available updates on the Windows
> > Update Web site
> >
> > http://www.updatexp.com/0x800a0046.html
> > What causes Error 0x800a0046
> >
> > When searching for available updates on the Windows Update site, you receive the
> > 0x800A0046 error.
> > This error can occur if the user logon account is part of the Guests account or a
> > limited-user account, if the security descriptor does not allow have the
> > Authenticated Users to run Windows Update, or if the Impersonate a client after
> > authentication policy is missing Service and Administrators from the Users and Groups
> > list.
> > http://v5.windowsupdate.microsoft.co...cleid=20&ln=en
> >
> > http://update.microsoft.com/windowsu...en&IsMu=False|
> > When searching for available updates on the Update site, you receive the 0x800A0046
> > error.
> >
> >
> > "Dave" <> wrote in message
> > news:%...
> > > I'm not sure when my windows update started failing, but I think it was when
> > > the window updated client on my Windows 2000 box was updated to a newer
> > > version. After it was updated, not only does the windows update client on
> > > my PC not work, but when I go to the windows update web site for updates I
> > > press custom on the updates page and I get error 0x800A0046. So I now can
> > > not update my machine at all.
> > >
> > > Has anyone else experienced anything like this ?
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >

"Randy" <> wrote in message news:92BBB738-DC51-4D3A-B829-...
> Please check out my post titled 'Error number: 0x800A0046 Windows 2000 SP4
> Critical Update Issue'. I think you are experiencing the same issue I am.
> This link should get you to the posting.
>
> http://www.microsoft.com/technet/com...wsupdate&fltr=
>
> I posted it on 7/29/2005.


I just updated your thread. <eg>

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/com...4-920a8438026b


BTW copying URLs for the web interface to newsgroups is quirky.
If you do it from a search result you can either doubleclick on a message
in order to launch the whole thread in its own window and capture that URL
or you can click on the link to the newsgroup name in the post you want
a link to, wait for that to cause the message to be opened in the newsgroup's
full listing and then use the CopyURL button to capture the message's URL.
(That's what I did above.)


FYI

Robert Aldwinckle
---

Thank you both for your assistance. I have tried all the suggestions received
so far and the MS support suggestions. Nothing has worked. I brought my
workstation up to date at work with no trouble and it also runs Windows 2000
Pro. My software is "genuine" and has been verified as such; but, still will
not allow me to update anything. Although, I can download programs such as
the Anti-Spyware with no trouble at all.
This has me quite bumfuzzled. However, since I worked a 14 hour shift, I
think I will retire and sleep before I worry with this any further today.
Thanks,
Kay
P.S. The suggestion of a space in the user name will not work in my case.
There is no space for me to remove. I checked that too.

"Robert Aldwinckle" wrote:

> "Randy" <> wrote in message news:92BBB738-DC51-4D3A-B829-...
> > Please check out my post titled 'Error number: 0x800A0046 Windows 2000 SP4
> > Critical Update Issue'. I think you are experiencing the same issue I am.
> > This link should get you to the posting.
> >
> > http://www.microsoft.com/technet/com...wsupdate&fltr=
> >
> > I posted it on 7/29/2005.
>
>
> I just updated your thread. <eg>
>
> http://www.microsoft.com/technet/com...4-920a8438026b
>
>
> BTW copying URLs for the web interface to newsgroups is quirky.
> If you do it from a search result you can either doubleclick on a message
> in order to launch the whole thread in its own window and capture that URL
> or you can click on the link to the newsgroup name in the post you want
> a link to, wait for that to cause the message to be opened in the newsgroup's
> full listing and then use the CopyURL button to capture the message's URL.
> (That's what I did above.)
>
>
> FYI
>
> Robert Aldwinckle
> ---
>
>
>

This is just an update.... Don't ask me what I did because I have no idea...
I went in last night and just undid and redid everything I had already
undone and done, rebooted my system (just like I did the 1st through 5th
times) and Voila'.. I am now able to update with no further error messages. I
guess in this case, it wasn't the third time that was the charm.. it was the
6th. What was that thing about User Persistance??? LOL
Good luck to any one else having this issue. And thanks to all who offered
advice and assistance.
Kay

"chilibaby1" wrote:

> Thank you both for your assistance. I have tried all the suggestions received
> so far and the MS support suggestions. Nothing has worked. I brought my
> workstation up to date at work with no trouble and it also runs Windows 2000
> Pro. My software is "genuine" and has been verified as such; but, still will
> not allow me to update anything. Although, I can download programs such as
> the Anti-Spyware with no trouble at all.
> This has me quite bumfuzzled. However, since I worked a 14 hour shift, I
> think I will retire and sleep before I worry with this any further today.
> Thanks,
> Kay
> P.S. The suggestion of a space in the user name will not work in my case.
> There is no space for me to remove. I checked that too.
>
> "Robert Aldwinckle" wrote:
>
> > "Randy" <> wrote in message news:92BBB738-DC51-4D3A-B829-...
> > > Please check out my post titled 'Error number: 0x800A0046 Windows 2000 SP4
> > > Critical Update Issue'. I think you are experiencing the same issue I am.
> > > This link should get you to the posting.
> > >
> > > http://www.microsoft.com/technet/com...wsupdate&fltr=
> > >
> > > I posted it on 7/29/2005.
> >
> >
> > I just updated your thread. <eg>
> >
> > http://www.microsoft.com/technet/com...4-920a8438026b
> >
> >
> > BTW copying URLs for the web interface to newsgroups is quirky.
> > If you do it from a search result you can either doubleclick on a message
> > in order to launch the whole thread in its own window and capture that URL
> > or you can click on the link to the newsgroup name in the post you want
> > a link to, wait for that to cause the message to be opened in the newsgroup's
> > full listing and then use the CopyURL button to capture the message's URL.
> > (That's what I did above.)
> >
> >
> > FYI
> >
> > Robert Aldwinckle
> > ---
> >
> >
> >

I really don't know. As I said, I sat there and went through every one of the
fixes that were mentioned. For example, on the user persistance - I disabled
and then immediately re-enabled it... and I did that on every single fix. The
only other thing I did was in the Security Policy... The Administrator and
Service accounts were already there; but, I added them again (they are now in
there twice) and then I rebooted. When my system came back up, I clicked on
the update icon and away we went. So, maybe adding the Admin and Service
account a second time was what fixed it?

Kay

"Dave" wrote:

> So what procedure in particular do you think fixed your problem ?
>
> Dave
>
>
> "chilibaby1" <> wrote in message
> news9353DE2-5B17-41DA-AD34-...
> > This is just an update.... Don't ask me what I did because I have no
> idea...
> > I went in last night and just undid and redid everything I had already
> > undone and done, rebooted my system (just like I did the 1st through 5th
> > times) and Voila'.. I am now able to update with no further error
> messages. I
> > guess in this case, it wasn't the third time that was the charm.. it was
> the
> > 6th. What was that thing about User Persistance??? LOL
> > Good luck to any one else having this issue. And thanks to all who offered
> > advice and assistance.
> > Kay
> >
> > "chilibaby1" wrote:
> >
> > > Thank you both for your assistance. I have tried all the suggestions
> received
> > > so far and the MS support suggestions. Nothing has worked. I brought my
> > > workstation up to date at work with no trouble and it also runs Windows
> 2000
> > > Pro. My software is "genuine" and has been verified as such; but, still
> will
> > > not allow me to update anything. Although, I can download programs such
> as
> > > the Anti-Spyware with no trouble at all.
> > > This has me quite bumfuzzled. However, since I worked a 14 hour shift, I
> > > think I will retire and sleep before I worry with this any further
> today.
> > > Thanks,
> > > Kay
> > > P.S. The suggestion of a space in the user name will not work in my
> case.
> > > There is no space for me to remove. I checked that too.
> > >
> > > "Robert Aldwinckle" wrote:
> > >
> > > > "Randy" <> wrote in message
> news:92BBB738-DC51-4D3A-B829-...
> > > > > Please check out my post titled 'Error number: 0x800A0046 Windows
> 2000 SP4
> > > > > Critical Update Issue'. I think you are experiencing the same issue
> I am.
> > > > > This link should get you to the posting.
> > > > >
> > > > >
> http://www.microsoft.com/technet/com...wsupdate&fltr=
> > > > >
> > > > > I posted it on 7/29/2005.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > I just updated your thread. <eg>
> > > >
> > > >
> http://www.microsoft.com/technet/com...4-920a8438026b
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > BTW copying URLs for the web interface to newsgroups is quirky.
> > > > If you do it from a search result you can either doubleclick on a
> message
> > > > in order to launch the whole thread in its own window and capture that
> URL
> > > > or you can click on the link to the newsgroup name in the post you
> want
> > > > a link to, wait for that to cause the message to be opened in the
> newsgroup's
> > > > full listing and then use the CopyURL button to capture the message's
> URL.
> > > > (That's what I did above.)
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > FYI
> > > >
> > > > Robert Aldwinckle
> > > > ---
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
>
>
>

Okay, here is what I did to resolve my issue in Windows 2000 SP4.

I visited this link:
http://update.microsoft.com/windowsu...cleid=20&ln=en that Torgeir Bakken supplied for me.

I originally said the following:
1. Doesn't have this setting in Windows 2000 SP4.
2. Running this command does nothing.
3. Doesn't apply to Windows 2000 SP4.

I typed the above answers from memory, so it was no wonder I was incorrect
with my recollection from memory.

Here are the steps I performed with respects to the support link above.
1. The workstations already had 'Service and Administrator' were part of
"Impersonate a client after authentication" security policy. So this one
didn't work.

2. I downloaded the 'SC' security descriptor from the provided link by
Torgeir Bakken. Once I copied the 'SC' application to the root of the c: and
typed the long commands I was greeted with the following:
SetServiceObjectSecurity SUCCESS.

I then attempted to try the Windows Update site again, no luck, still 'Error
number: 0x800A0046'.

3. I went to the Local User Account settings and went to the 'Member Of'
tab and noticed the account was a member of the following groups:
Administrators, Backup Operators, Guests, Power Users, Replicator and Users.
I removed everyone but 'Administrators' from this Local User Account.

I then attempted to try the Windows Update site again, no luck, still 'Error
number: 0x800A0046'.

So I decided to restart the workstation and voila Windows Update worked
again and let me download the updates from the site and it also automatically
downloaded critcal updates.

I decided to go one step further to determine if step 2 or step 3 combined
fixed the issue or if it was just step 2 or step 3 separately. I picked a
couple of different workstations and upon testing step 2 by itself and the
'Error number: 0x800A0046' was still present. I restarted the workstation to
see if the restart fixed step 2 and it didn't.

I then tested step 3 by itself and the 'Error number: 0x800A0046' was still
present. I followed logic and restarted the workstation. The Windows Update
worked again and let me download the updates from the site and it also
automatically downloaded critcal updates.

So, from my testing, I concluded that step 3 was the real solution by
removing all the groups but 'Administrator'. You can probably just remove
'Guests' and 'Users' and get the same result.

I will be venturing ahead and performing just step 3 to fix the issue I am
experiencing with 'Error number: 0x800A0046' on Windows 2000 SP4.

Thank you for all the suggestions and assistance.
Randy