SCCM: Stopping mandatory reboot

Recently I had an issue where a system that is running a critical data restore is schedule for a mandatory reboot after a patch installation. The reboot countdown starts at 3 hours and that is not long enough for the data restore to complete.

So here is what I found from the internet how to stop the mandatory reboot in case you are in important session and reboot is not an option.

1. Launch CMD as admin and run shutdown /a. This will cancel all reboot command scheduled by SCCM. 
2. Stop SCCM service by running net stop ccmexec in the same CMD window or you can launch the Services.msc window and stop SMS Agent Host service. 

This will close the SCCM restart notification.

Hope this help when you are in critical situation.

Source: http://thecramers.us/hacking/how-to-stop-a-mandatory-reboot-following-software-updates/

Loading Software Center returned error code 0x800800005

Problem: You get this error when launching Software Center. Software Center failed to load and does not show any applications.

Check the ClientIDManagerStartup.log and you can find that the client failed to register.

Solution:

1. Uninstall SCCM and cleanup the CCM folders
2. Run the following command on elevated CMD window
3. reg delete HKLM\software\Microsoft\Systemcertificates\SMS\Certificates /f
4. Reinstall SCCM agent

Verify that SCCM agent installed and registered successfully. 

SCCM - Software Update failed with error code 0x80091007

When downloading Software Update via SCCM, the download failed with error code  0x80091007 (-2146889721).

Check on the CAS log showed that download failed with error 0x80091007.

We are using 1E Nomad Branch in our environment. All SCCM downloads are supposed to be managed by Nomad Branch. 

Check on NomadBranch.hist.log show the exact reason why it failed. The log showed that the disk is full. So I cleared my cache folder and delete unused files on my disk. After clearing some 20GB off my disk, I'm able to download and install the patches. 

Issue resolved and computer is patched. 

Windows 10 Cumulative Update vs Delta Update and the new Express Update

An explaination of Windows 10 update type and the end of the Delta update.

https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/Windows-IT-Pro-Blog/Windows-10-quality-updates-explained-amp-the-end-of-delta/ba-p/214426

Software Update Installation Error 0x87D00664

When installing Software Update from Software Center you get error code 0x87D00664.


This error code indicates software update installation failed due to Time Out.

To fix this, you need to change the maximum run time in the SCCM console.
Follow the steps below.

1. Launch SCCM console
2. Browse to Software Library\Overview\Software Updates\All Software Updates
3. Search for the specific update
4. Right-click and view it's properties
5. Go to Maximum Run Time tab
6. Change the Maximum run time value. 

Refresh SCCM policy on the clients and retry the installation.

Reset Windows update component in Windows 10

In my work, I often have to reset Windows Update agent on client workstations whenever the computers have problem to install the patches.

The easy way to do it is by running the Windows Update troubleshooter in Windows 10. This tool will scan for errors and recommend fixes for errors found on your computer.

1. Click Start menu and search for Troubleshoot.

2. In the Troubleshoot window, click Windows Update and click Run the troubleshooter

3. You might be prompt to run it with administrator right. Use administrator right to scan and fix the errors. 

While the steps above is easy to do, however if you are dealing with multiple computers and you have to do it remotely, this is not an efficient way. 

As you see this troubleshooter is built-in the Windows 10 image and you can find the fix package in this directory: C:\Windows\diagnostics\system\WindowsUpdate.

However, one setback to this is it is not possible to execute it remotely. So if you plan to use PSExec or SCCM to initiate the troubleshooter remotely, it will not work.

There are many scripts available in the internet created by IT experts and one that I use is created by  Shawn Brink and available here:

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-update/how-toreset-windows-update-components-in-windows/14b86efd-1420-4916-9832-829125b1e8a3

There are 2 scripts - one for Windows 10 and another one for Windows 7 and 8.

The script will reset the Windows Update component and re-register the Windows Update files.
Try it out. It could be useful when you are dealing with multiple computers.

Software Update Error = 0x80004005

If you have problem to patch clients with SCCM and found the error code below in the WUAHandler.log, try to use this workaround. I've seen a couple of cases in my organization and this solution works.

Failed to Add Update Source for WUAgent of type (2) and id ({XXXXXX}). Error = 0x80004005.

OR

Software Update Error 0x80004005 on client systems


Solution: 


1. Stop the SCCM service.
2. Rename the Registry.pol file
 
    C:\windows\system32\GroupPolicy\Machine\Registry.pol to
    C:\windows\system32\GroupPolicy\Machine\Registry.pol.old

3. Restart the SCCM service.
4. Run the Software update Scan cycle and Software Update deployment Evaluation Cycle in Configmgr Action tab.


And review the WUAHandler.log and UpdateDeployment.log.

You should see a progress in WUAHandler.log without error. Once Software Update scans completed, patches will be downloaded to your computer.

Try it out.