System Updates keeps claiming I've paused it

I run a copy of Windows 10 x64 (Version 10.0.19042 Build 19042) in a Parallels VM on two separate Macs. I may boot each of them once every week or two as I encounter a task I need to use Windows to do. Because they're not running all the time, before I shut them down, I usually invoke System Updates manually to catch up on all the updates.

On the Mac I use the most, System Updates invariably comes up claiming that it is paused and won't run for N days. I click the unpause button and run all the queued updates. Next time I boot it, it will come up claiming I have paused it again. I haven't.

On the other Mac, I don't have this problem. I'm running the same version of everything on both machines, though of course the copy of Windows is discrete.

Does anyone have any idea of something I can do to keep this from happening? It's not a showstopper, but I'd like to know why it thinks I have paused it. It just bothers me when something is wonky and I don't know why.

I have located the tip at Enable or Disable Pause Updates Feature in Windows 10 that tells me how to disable the disable function permanently... but I'd rather not cripple it if there's an easier tweak.

The tip you located is very easy indeed.

Indeed, but I shouldn't have to patch Windows to get it to do something it shouldn't be doing in the first place, and doesn't do to other people or to my own other VM. I'd rather figure out what is causing the misbehavior and address that, if possible.

Have you chosen to "Pause updates"?





Source: Pause Updates or Resume Updates for Windows Update in Windows 10

No, I did mention that. I never choose to pause updates.

macsrwe said:

System Updates invariably comes up claiming that it is paused

Have you gone to the "Windows Update" setting page and checked whether the claim is true?

Usually I check the advanced options only in the idle time after I have already unpaused updates and are waiting for them to download.

But as per your suggestion, I started the VM fresh this morning and went to Updates. Once again ,they were reported as paused. Without unpausing them, I went to Advanced. All I saw was the usual solicitation inviting me to pause updates (image), which presents no indication of whether or not the system believes they are already paused.

In any event your suggestion does not make much sense, because the only "claim" I can check is whether or not the updates are paused, and I already know they are. It is impossible to check who paused them or how they got to be paused, because the system doesn't report that.

Right-click on the Start button --> Windows PowerShell to open the command window.

Next time when you see the claim again, run the following command before and after clicking on the unpause button:

Code:

REG QUERY "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate" /V "SetDisablePauseUXAccess"

Post the output.

Reference: Enable or Disable Pause Updates Feature in Windows 10

I cut and pasted your string -- are you sure you spelled it right?



Update: I'm assuming "HKLM" may be an abbreviation for HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE that I don't have set up. Regardless, I don't have any such item there, either. From regedit, under WindowsUpdate proper, I have (Default) with an unset value, and in the subfolder AU I have an identical (Default) and a NoAutoRebootWithLoggedOnUsers, which is 0x0. Nothing else.