Automatic Updates is Microsoft's method of getting new updates out to users as quickly as possible. The feature is available in all versions of Windows since Windows 2000 SP4 (so Windows XP SP1 and higher, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 2003, Windows 2008 and Windows 2008 R2). If you are not on these versions then you should update before attempting to use Automatic Updates.
Most of the time this feature will work without any issues. However it can get stuck, or fail to download the updates correctly, or try to install the same updates time and time again. This site outlines the common problems and some of the fixes that you can use to resolve those issues.
WUAUCLT is the executable used by automatic updates prior to Windows 10 and can also be manipulated through the command line.
On Windows 10, it was replaced with USOClient.
Contents
Setup of Automatic Updates - Start with the basics - ensure that your client is setup correctly.
Troubleshooting Automatic Updates - The most common problems and the most common solutions.
Reset, Repair and Reinstall Scripts - Our scripts for the automatic updates system, often used for the 100% CPU use by SVCHOST issue.
Network Script Use - Using the above scripts on your network.
Windows 10 USOClient - Windows 10 has a rewritten Windows Update client and a new command line to learn - with the added problem that it is completely undocumented.