Windows Update not working at all

I just realized yesterday that my Windows update hasn't been working for
months. I haven't gotten any of the automatic updates that I used to get,
including SP2. When I go to "system" under control panel and check the
automatic update tab it's set to download and install automatically but it
doesn't. When I go manually to the Microsoft Update page it asks me to select
"Express" or "Custom", and whichever one I select I get:

"Files required to use Microsoft Update are no longer registered or
installed on your computer. To continue:

-Register or reinstall the files for me now (Recommended)
-Let me read about more steps that might be required to solve the problem"

When I click register and reinstall it reloads the page a few times, gives
me a quick progress bar saying "downloading" and "registering", then takes me
back to the "express" or "custom" page above. Again, whichever one I click I
get the same error. Also, when I go to my update history there's nothing
listed there, which probably means that Micosoft Update hasn't been working
for some time. Any help would be much appreciated.

Are you running XP SP1 or SP2? If not, then this may be your problem. The
last I remember, XP Original Release was to be no longer supported,
requiring SP1 or SP2 installed to use Windows Update.

--

Star Fleet Admiral Q @ your Service!

http://www.google.com
Google is your "Friend"

"Chris Coderre" <Chris > wrote in message
news:A7DBA464-B3A6-4172-8D67-...
>I just realized yesterday that my Windows update hasn't been working for
> months. I haven't gotten any of the automatic updates that I used to get,
> including SP2. When I go to "system" under control panel and check the
> automatic update tab it's set to download and install automatically but it
> doesn't. When I go manually to the Microsoft Update page it asks me to
> select
> "Express" or "Custom", and whichever one I select I get:
>
> "Files required to use Microsoft Update are no longer registered or
> installed on your computer. To continue:
>
> -Register or reinstall the files for me now (Recommended)
> -Let me read about more steps that might be required to solve the problem"
>
> When I click register and reinstall it reloads the page a few times, gives
> me a quick progress bar saying "downloading" and "registering", then takes
> me
> back to the "express" or "custom" page above. Again, whichever one I click
> I
> get the same error. Also, when I go to my update history there's nothing
> listed there, which probably means that Micosoft Update hasn't been
> working
> for some time. Any help would be much appreciated.
>

I'm running XP SP1.

"Star Fleet Admiral Q" wrote:

> Are you running XP SP1 or SP2? If not, then this may be your problem. The
> last I remember, XP Original Release was to be no longer supported,
> requiring SP1 or SP2 installed to use Windows Update.

OK it seems like my problem was fixed by following the steps in this thread:

http://www.microsoft.com/communities...0-ea5274e900cf

because that person's problem sounded sort of similar to mine.

I've got the same problem, however, I have only just purchased the laptop, &
Windows XP was loaded. Not yet been able to get any updates, & received
exactly same message as you describe. I'd appreciate learning how you solved
problem.

"Chris Coderre" wrote:

> I just realized yesterday that my Windows update hasn't been working for
> months. I haven't gotten any of the automatic updates that I used to get,
> including SP2. When I go to "system" under control panel and check the
> automatic update tab it's set to download and install automatically but it
> doesn't. When I go manually to the Microsoft Update page it asks me to select
> "Express" or "Custom", and whichever one I select I get:
>
> "Files required to use Microsoft Update are no longer registered or
> installed on your computer. To continue:
>
> -Register or reinstall the files for me now (Recommended)
> -Let me read about more steps that might be required to solve the problem"
>
> When I click register and reinstall it reloads the page a few times, gives
> me a quick progress bar saying "downloading" and "registering", then takes me
> back to the "express" or "custom" page above. Again, whichever one I click I
> get the same error. Also, when I go to my update history there's nothing
> listed there, which probably means that Micosoft Update hasn't been working
> for some time. Any help would be much appreciated.
>

Is your issue mentioned below solved by now?
I have similar issues, but I also get the installation error: 0x8007041d
What does this mean? Any idea how to solve the problem.


"Chris Coderre" wrote:

> I just realized yesterday that my Windows update hasn't been working for
> months. I haven't gotten any of the automatic updates that I used to get,
> including SP2. When I go to "system" under control panel and check the
> automatic update tab it's set to download and install automatically but it
> doesn't. When I go manually to the Microsoft Update page it asks me to select
> "Express" or "Custom", and whichever one I select I get:
>
> "Files required to use Microsoft Update are no longer registered or
> installed on your computer. To continue:
>
> -Register or reinstall the files for me now (Recommended)
> -Let me read about more steps that might be required to solve the problem"
>
> When I click register and reinstall it reloads the page a few times, gives
> me a quick progress bar saying "downloading" and "registering", then takes me
> back to the "express" or "custom" page above. Again, whichever one I click I
> get the same error. Also, when I go to my update history there's nothing
> listed there, which probably means that Micosoft Update hasn't been working
> for some time. Any help would be much appreciated.
>

http://forums.techarena.in/archive/i.../t-455183.html

"Chris Coderre" wrote:

> I just realized yesterday that my Windows update hasn't been working for
> months. I haven't gotten any of the automatic updates that I used to get,
> including SP2. When I go to "system" under control panel and check the
> automatic update tab it's set to download and install automatically but it
> doesn't. When I go manually to the Microsoft Update page it asks me to select
> "Express" or "Custom", and whichever one I select I get:
>
> "Files required to use Microsoft Update are no longer registered or
> installed on your computer. To continue:
>
> -Register or reinstall the files for me now (Recommended)
> -Let me read about more steps that might be required to solve the problem"
>
> When I click register and reinstall it reloads the page a few times, gives
> me a quick progress bar saying "downloading" and "registering", then takes me
> back to the "express" or "custom" page above. Again, whichever one I click I
> get the same error. Also, when I go to my update history there's nothing
> listed there, which probably means that Micosoft Update hasn't been working
> for some time. Any help would be much appreciated.
>