wuauclt.exe

Question

how to remove or stop this thing, it s causing computer to freeze all the times. thanks

dalem29 · Answer

wuauclt.exe =  Windows Update Auto Update Client.   It is a legitimate Windows process and goes online periodically to search for Windows updates. I am not sure if it does this if you have things set up to download and install the updates automatically, or not. I have my system set to notify me when updates are available, because these alerts always seem to come in the middle of something.   How do you know this particular program is causing your computer to freeze up? There appears to be some bad things that can corrupt or co-op this function according to a Google search, so a good scan by Trend Micro or Panda might be a good idea at this point.

ky331 · Answer

Dalem,   Yesterday, I started to post basically the same response as you did... but I changed my mind about it.  however, since you've now addressed this matter,  there are a few more points that should be added:    As you indicated, wuauclt =  Windows Update Auto  Clien t.   However, according to the references I've located so far, this is only the case provided: 1) the person is running Windows ME (although some other sources seem to claim there's also a version for 2000 as well as XP ???), and 2) the file is  located in the System sub-directory, as C:\WINDOWS\System32\wuauclt.exe   If either condition does not hold... especially the 2nd condition (since I'm not 100% sure of the ME-only claim), the user should indeed be suspicious.  in fact, there is startup named wuauclt.exe, with associated process name wxmct.exe, that can be added by an unidentified worm/trojan:   see http://startup.iamnotageek.com/srch-wuauclt.exe.html Message Edited by ky331 on 06-23-2005 10:26 AM

ROCK028 · Answer

thanks for the responses, I am running windows xp home. I was able to discontinue the auto update process and it seemed to work with no problem. I was happy for a day. The process loaded itself again, so im back to square one. although i know whats causing it, I need to fix this, since windows update a natural process " i think" or unless its really a worm or virus.

I was able to stop the process by going to Start-Run-type services.msc, right click automatic update-properties- in start-up type click arrow to select disable.

thanks to all . let me know anything i should do to fix it. dalen, try what i just did, then keep checking my post for posible solutions. good day all.

scottlarockman · Answer

This file should be fine, it isn't a virus/trojan/spyware etc. (well shouldn't be). It is on all XP systems (that I know of).  It also should not be causing your system to freeze, that is pretty strange.  Must be something else going on with your system?  I'd run all the spyware/virus checks out there and make sure that isn't the cause of the freezing.  Spyware Removal You SHOULD be able to disable it via 'control panel' 'automatic updates' if you had to, though I'd certainly recommend you visit windowsupdate often if you were to do this!

Virus & Spyware

wuauclt.exe

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