C windows system32 wuauclt exe

wuauclt.exe: Windows Update AutoUpdate Client

wuauclt.exe (Windows Update AutoUpdate Client) is a legitimate and essential executable file in the Windows operating system. It’s a core component of the Windows Update service, responsible for checking for, downloading, and installing updates for Windows, device drivers, and other Microsoft software. Despite its critical role, it’s often misunderstood and sometimes mistakenly flagged as malicious. This article clarifies its function, safety, and troubleshooting.

Origin and Purpose

wuauclt.exe is a Microsoft-signed executable, originally introduced with Windows 2000 and refined in subsequent versions. Its primary purpose is to act as the client for the Windows Update service (wuauserv). It communicates with Microsoft’s update servers to:

• Check for Updates: Determines if new updates are available for the system.
• Download Updates: Downloads the necessary update files.
• Install Updates: Initiates and manages the installation process of the downloaded updates.
• Report Status: Provides feedback on the update process, including success or failure reports.
• Schedule Automatic Updates: It plays a critical role on automatic update procedure.

wuauclt.exe is typically located in the %SystemRoot%\System32 directory (usually C:\Windows\System32). Any instance of wuauclt.exe found outside this directory should be treated with extreme suspicion, as it could be malware masquerading as the legitimate file.

Is wuauclt.exe a Virus?

No, the legitimate wuauclt.exe located in C:\Windows\System32 is not a virus. It’s a crucial part of Windows. However, malware can impersonate legitimate system files.

Can wuauclt.exe Become a Virus or Be Infected?

wuauclt.exe itself cannot become a virus. It’s a static executable file. However:

• Malware Impersonation: Malware can use the name wuauclt.exe and place itself in a different directory (e.g., a temporary folder or a user’s profile) to disguise itself. This is the most common way wuauclt.exe is associated with malicious activity.
• Exploits (Rare): While extremely rare, vulnerabilities in the Windows Update service itself could theoretically be exploited, indirectly impacting wuauclt.exe‘s behavior. However, Microsoft regularly patches such vulnerabilities.

How to Identify a Malicious wuauclt.exe:

1. Location: As mentioned, the legitimate file is in C:\Windows\System32. Use File Explorer to check its location. Right-click the process in Task Manager (details tab) and choose «Open file location».
2. Digital Signature: Right-click the file, select «Properties,» and go to the «Digital Signatures» tab. A legitimate wuauclt.exe will be digitally signed by Microsoft. If there’s no digital signature or the signature is from an unknown entity, it’s highly suspicious.
3. Resource Usage: While wuauclt.exe can consume significant CPU and network resources during updates, consistently high resource usage outside of update periods might indicate a problem (either a legitimate update issue or malware).
4. Antivirus Scan: Run a full system scan with a reputable antivirus and anti-malware program.

Command-Line Options (Usage as a Tool)

Although primarily an automatically managed process, wuauclt.exe offers several command-line options that can be used for troubleshooting and managing updates manually. These are primarily for advanced users and system administrators.

Important Note: Since Windows Vista, many of these commands have been deprecated or replaced by PowerShell cmdlets and other tools. Using outdated commands might not have the intended effect or could even cause issues. It is highly recommended to use the modern Windows Update settings and PowerShell when possible.

Here are some of the historically used (and often deprecated) command-line options. Use with caution and awareness of their potentially outdated nature:

• /DetectNow: Forces an immediate check for updates. (This is largely equivalent to clicking «Check for updates» in the Windows Update settings.)
• /ReportNow: Forces the client to immediately report its status to the Windows Update server (or WSUS server, if configured).
• /ResetAuthorization: Resets the authorization cookie for Windows Update. This was sometimes used to troubleshoot connection problems, but it’s generally not necessary now.
• /ShowSettingsDialog: (Deprecated) Attempts to open the Windows Update settings dialog. This is unreliable in modern Windows versions.
• /UpdateNow: (Deprecated) Attempts to immediately install downloaded updates.
• /ShowWU: (Deprecated) Tries to display the windows update window.
• /CloseWU: (Deprecated) Tries to close the windows update window.
• /r : (Deprecated) Tries to reboot the system if needed.

Example (Use with Caution):

To force an immediate check for updates (although the Settings app is preferred), you could open an elevated Command Prompt (run as administrator) and type:

If starting letters of a process involve wu…, initial thought comes in your mind – is it a Windows Update process? You may presume that it’s a virus after looking at .exe extension. Well, such thoughts are absolutely justified. In point of fact, wuauclt.exe in Windows 10 operating system is an auto-update client. But at the same time, all executable files are highly virus prone and when its affected it can act like a malware too. Developers or hackers can easily inject Trojan horse through wuauclt.exe to lodge an attack on your computer. Often this malicious file utilize the CPU processing power to mine the digital cryptocurrency called Electroneum.

wuauclt.exe remains active in the background and constantly examines the Microsoft servers for fresh updates to your system’s hardware or software. A good thing is that it is an authentic process and in no way, causes any security threats. But when it gets infected by malware, it may cause several issues along with high CPU usage. Mostly, these types of the virus come into your system when you download anything from the Internet or email that is unreliable and inauthentic as well. Once it is installed, the Trojan creates an autorun that launches duplicated wuauclt.exe in %temp% folder. In this context, we will chart out the most likely solutions to fix the issue related to it.

Related – How to Disable and Fix W32tm.exe in Windows 10

wuauclt.exe in Windows 10

If Automatic Updates are turned on in a device, wuauclt.exe will remain active all the time. When you switch it off, the executable file will stop running and liberated system resources can be utilized by other processes. Since Windows 10 Updates always bring new and effective developments, not everyone wants to permanently disable wuauclt.exe it. If you are comfortable with manual updates, then disable wuauclt.exe permanently.

Here is How to Disable and Fix wuauclt.exe in Windows 10 –

Temporarily Disable wuauclt.exe

Task Manager is the one that allows you to disable the processes and active programs effectively. Mainly, it’s a system monitor program that shows the general status of your computer. You can also manage the schedule priority of running apps and processes through it. To temporarily disable wuauclt.exe in Windows 10, follow the below procedure –

Step-1: Press CTRL + ALT + DEL hotkeys and select Task Manager.

Step-2: If it’s not expanded already, click on More details.

Step-3: Then, move to the Processes tab, you will see a list of running processes here. Locate wuauclt.exe and make a right-click on it. Select End task from the context menu and this auto-update client will stop running.

Now, Close the Task Manager. After temporarily disabling this process, automatic windows update will remain off till the time your system remains on. Once you Restart the PC, wuauclt.exe will start again. Be happy, you won’t be late in getting any new updates.

Permanently disable wuauclt.exe

When some people are happy with temporarily disabling wuauclt.exe in Windows 10, others find it annoying to do the similar task time and again and they prefer a permanent fix. If you also want the same, the following steps are for you –

• At first, you need to disable wuauclt.exe from the Task Manager like we showed in the previous solution. Thereafter, move to the next step in order to permanently delete it.
• Open This PC located in Desktop screen and Navigate the following directory –

C:\Windows\System32

• Locate the file named wuauclt.exe and right-click on it. The context menu will be visible, select Delete. For complete removal, empty the recycle bin.

Delete wuauclt.exe through Registry Editor

You can also delete the DWORD key from Registry Editor to disable wuauclt.exe in Windows 10. To do so follow the below steps –

Do a right-click on “Start” button and Select Run from the list.

Type down regedit in the text box and hit Enter.

If a UAC prompts up, choose Yes to proceed further.

Once the Registry Editor turns up, Navigate the following path –

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\Microsoft auto update

Now, shift to the right pane. Make a right-click on wuauclt.exe and Select Delete.

Way-4: Run a Full Scan

If the .exe file is located outside of C:\Windows\System32, that means your computer is already affected with Trojan horse virus. In such situation, scan you full system with the built-in antimalware tool i.e Windows Defender to resolve wuauclt.exe in Windows 10. Here’s how –

Press Win+I jointly to open the Settings app and click on Update & Security.

Select Windows Security from the left column and shift to the right side. Hereafter, click on Virus & threat protection.

Now, Windows Defender Security Center will come into the view. Click on Run a new advanced scan.

Make sure that the radio button of Full scan is selected and finally click on Scan now.

Reset your Browser

If above solutions are unable to fix the issue associated with wuauclt.exe in Windows 10, resetting the browsers of your computer may work to resolve.

Firefox

If you are using Mozilla Firefox, follow the method –

Click on the hamburger menu button of the browser and Select Help.

Now, Select Troubleshooting Information.

Click on Refresh Firefox located on the right side.

Again click Refresh Firefox when it asks for final consent.

Chrome

In order to reset Chrome web browser, perform the below steps –

Click on the three-dotted icon from the Toolbar and Select Settings.

Reach out to the bottom of the page and click on Advanced.

Again, scroll down to locate Reset and clean up section. Thereafter, click on Restore settings to their original defaults.

A pop-up will appear for final confirmation. Select Reset settings to start the process.

Hope, these will resolve your issue completely.

Wuauclt.exe, The Virus

Since wuauclt.exe in Windows 10 is a common process on all the systems running on your OS, virus inventors have particularly targeted this name and camouflaged their malicious files with this name. So, it is very important to investigate whether a single file, named wuauclt.exe, exists in your processes list or more than one. If more than one, it can be a Trojan Horse Virus, be careful! Always use a good antivirus and regularly scan your system.

Symptoms of infected wuauclt.exe in Windows 10

With the following indications, you can easily determine if your PC is affected by the issue associated with wuauclt.exe –

1. The wuauclt.exe process will consume almost 100% of CPU of your system.
2. An autorun will be created in the name of RegisteredApplications and will be visible in Msconfig.
3. The speed of your system will be slower.
4. The Programs will take time to be launched.

That’s all.

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Wuauclt.exe is the auto update client for Windows Update. It’s a process that runs in the background of your system, constantly checking Microsoft servers for any new updates to the operating system. The amount of times that it may check for these updates depends on is configuration.

If you have Automatic Updates switched on, then this process is necessary for it to function. If Automatic Updates is switched off, then the Wuauclt.exe auto update client will not run in the background, freeing up system resources in the process. While you could kill this process within Task Manager in an attempt to disable Automatic Updates, it would simply restart itself.

Aside from the client process looking for updates to your operating system, it also looks for the latest hardware drivers for certain components on your system and also for software updates, primarily for Microsoft applications. The purpose of these updates is to increase the stability of your system and tighten up its security.

The Automatic Update feature as a component of your operating system can be scheduled per your instructions and also turned off or on, depending on which suits you best. You can find the options for this component within your control panel; there you can gain access to all its features.

With that said, the Wuauclt.exe file itself is a system process, which means you cannot delete it from your system folder, as the operating system requires it to function properly.

Wuauclt.exe Description

The Wuauclt.exe is an integral component of your operating system that runs silently in the background, checking Microsoft’s website for new updates. The objective of this file is to ensure that all programs on your system running efficiently. However, in the event that you contract a virus, remove the file by accident or it becomes corrupt, you will be presented with an .exe error and your computer will no longer run as it should.

In the information to follow, I intend to highlight a number of simple and effective tips that you can implement to eliminate this annoying issue.

The Drawbacks of Wuauclt.exe

Because this process runs on all Windows based systems that have automated updates enabled, virus creators have specifically targeted this component by disguising their malicious files as Wuauclt.exe.

In most cases, the virus will have the same name as the original auto update client file, but it will be stored in a different location. The malware on the other hand will be spelt in a similar manner, likely using the number 1 as a substitute for the letter l, or some other slight variation. The following malware most known for imitating the wuauclt.exe file is:

• Backdoor.Clt (W32.Cult)

This is a Trojan horse virus, which enables the attacker to gain backdoor access to your computer. It uses the port 6667 for outgoing and incoming traffic, so if you’re able to monitor the wuauclt.exe file using this specific port, then it means the Backdoor.Clt virus has infected your system.

In most cases you’ll only ever have one instance of this process running in the background (though it is possible for more than one to run). In the event that you do have multiple instances of Wuauclt.exe running in the background, then there is a chance that it could be malware. Below are a number of common issues encountered with this file and their solutions.

Run a Registry Scan

The majority of exe based errors are the result of registry conflicts. That said; the issues pertaining to the wuauclt.exe file lean closer to malware, spyware and viruses. However, these malicious files are known to make modifications to your registry in an attempt to launch and/or replicate itself. That’s why it’s very important that you scan your registry prior to rectifying this problem. There are a number of tools that you can use to do this, but I recommend you use Advanced System Repair Pro, which is one of the best registry cleaner programs online today. You can learn more about this excellent tool from here:

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT ADVANCED SYSTEM REPAIR PRO

Wuauclt.exe Encountered a Problem

The error message “Wuauclt.exe has encountered a problem and needs to close” appears when you attempt to update your operating system.

To rectify this issue, the first thing you’re going to want to do is verify that the wuauclt.exe file on your computer is not a virus. In order to do this, do the following.

1. First, ensure you’ve logged into your computer with administrative rights.

2. Then click on Start -> Run [Windows Vista/7: Press + R], and type %SystemRoot%\System32\dllcache and click on OK.

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3. Once the dllcache folder loads up, locate the wuauclt.exe file and hover your mouse over it to get the File Version. Keep note of it as you will be comparing it.

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4. Then click on Start -> Run [Windows Vista/7: Press + R], and type %SystemRoot%\System32 and click on OK.

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5. This will bring up the System32 folder, from here, locate the wuauclt.exe file, and then check its File Version. Compare both File Versions to ensure that they are the same.

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Notes

If after checking the file versions, you find that there is a discrepancy, then it means your system has been infected with a virus. There are a number of viruses that you could have on your system, such as the follow:

• Win32:Pakes-OD
• W32/Suspicious_N.gen
• Backdoor.Clt (W32.Cult)

To rectify this problem, you’re going to need to download, install and run a full scan of SpyHunter. You can get a hold of this product here: https://www.compuchenna.co.uk/go/spyhunter

CPU Usage Is At 100%

In this particular situation, the wuauclt.exe process is stuck in a continuous loop, as it attempts to download a specific update. Fixing this issue is fairly simple, just do the following.

1. First, ensure that you’ve logged into your system with administrative rights.

2. Then click on Start -> Control Panel.

3. Once Control Panel has loaded up, double click on Automatic Updates.

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4. This will bring up an Automatic Updates applet, from here, click on Turn off Automatic Updates, then click on Apply and OK. Reboot your system after switching this service off.

5. Once your computer has rebooted, verify that the wuauclt.exe is either not running or using up 100% of your CPU. By pressing Ctrl+Alt+Del to load up Windows Task Manager, and clicking on the Processes Tab.

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6. Then re-enable Automatic Updates, by following steps 2 – 3, then clicking on Automatic (Recommended).

Notes

If the problem still persists after disabling and re-enabling Automatic Updates, then you may want to consider uninstalling the KB927891 patch (assuming it’s on your computer). This can be done by doing the following.

1. First, ensure you have logged into your computer with administrative rights.

2. Then click on Start -> Control Panel.

3. From the Control Panel, double click Add or Remove Programs. [Windows Vista/7: Uninstall a program]

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4. Once Add or Remove Programs [Windows Vista/7: Uninstall or change a program] loads up, click on the box next to Show Updates. Then scroll down to the corresponding Windows Update (KB927891), highlight it, then click on Remove. [Windows Vista/7: Uninstall]

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