How to remove wuauclt error

wuauclt.exe file information

The process Automatic Updates or Aggiornamenti automatici or Windows Update AutoUpdate Client or Mises à jour automatiques or Actualizaciones automáticas or Automatische Updates or Windows Update Automatic Updates or Àâòîìàòè÷åñêîå îáíîâëåíèå belongs to the software Microsoft® Windows® Operating System or Sistema operativo Microsoft® Windows® or MicrosoftR WindowsR Operating System or Système d'exploitation Microsoft® Windows® or wuauclt.exe or Microsoft? Windows? Operating System or Microsoft(R) Windows(R) Operating System or Betriebssystem Microsoft® Windows® or GameTap or wuauclt.exe or Îïåðàöèîííàÿ ñèñòåìà Microsoft® Windows® by Microsoft Corporation (www.microsoft.com) or Microsoft Windows XP Publisher.

Description: File wuauclt.exe is located in the folder C:\Windows\System32. Known file sizes on Windows XP are 124184 bytes (66% of all occurrence), 53080 bytes, 113944 bytes, 111104 bytes, 124376 bytes, 139776 bytes, 112128 bytes, 124696 bytes, 111616 bytes, 148760 bytes, 114968 bytes, 115480 bytes, 106264 bytes, 141824 bytes, 171520 bytes, 248832 bytes, 68440 bytes, 237340 bytes, 80216 bytes, 125208 bytes, 112640 bytes.
wuauclt.exe is a Windows system file. The file is certified by a trustworthy company. wuauclt.exe is a trustworthy file from Microsoft. The program has no visible window. Therefore the technical security rating is 4% dangerous, however also read the users reviews.

If wuauclt.exe is located in the folder C:\Windows then the security rating is 73% dangerous. File size is 230518 bytes (40% of all occurrence), 230520 bytes, 196608 bytes, 17039 bytes, 60519 bytes, 58656 bytes. wuauclt.exe is not a Windows system file. The process is loaded during the Windows boot process (see Registry key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run, HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices). The process has no file description. wuauclt.exe is an unknown file in the Windows folder. Program listens for or sends data on open ports to LAN or Internet. The program is not visible. wuauclt.exe is able to hide itself, monitor applications.

If wuauclt.exe is located in a subfolder of C:\Windows\System32 then the security rating is 88% dangerous. File size is 26967 bytes (50% of all occurrence), 19553 bytes. There is no description of the program. It is not a Windows system file. wuauclt.exe is able to hide itself.

If wuauclt.exe is located in a subfolder of "C:\Documents and Settings" then the security rating is 64% dangerous. File size is 33068 bytes.

If wuauclt.exe is located in a subfolder of C:\Windows then the security rating is 100% dangerous. File size is 21873 bytes.

If wuauclt.exe is located in the folder C:\Windows\System32\drivers then the security rating is 56% dangerous. File size is 81794 bytes.

Important: Some malware camouflage themselves as wuauclt.exe, particularly if they are located in c:\windows or c:\windows\system32 folder. Thus check the wuauclt.exe process on your pc whether it is pest. We recommend Security Task Manager for verifying your computer's security. It is one of the Top Download Picks of 2005 of The Washington Post and PC World.

Links: wuauclt.exe, wuauclt.exe

The are two processes in task manager 1.under name of wuauclt.exe and 2.Under the name of system
   

I just fixed my systems. I did a search for WU* and there was a old version in my "c:\windows\prefetch" folder, that the os was loading and it was not the version that was in the system32 directroy. I flushed the prfetch cache, and rebooted 2 times, and it has cleared the problem. I suggest a free utility to do this is at http://CCLEANER.COM You will need to turn on clear prefetch, as this is a controversial cleanup option, but I now have a new reason to do this to systems I set up.
  Rich S. (MCSE, CET, NTCIP)   (further information)

its a prosses that looks for updates and if any tells you to install them
  terence gurry  

We're obliged to have wuauclt checking for security updates but I've spoken to Microsoft about why it seems to take 100% CPU while it's checking what updates it needs. Why can't it run itself with a lower priority?
  Walter  

its the windows update thing but it lags your comp when updating
  iamthebest  

If you notice slow performance, and inability to access some or all internet sites, check for wuauclt1 in your c:\windows\system32\dllcache dir. Delete it there first (may also be in the prefetch dir) and then you can delete it from the system32 dir. May exist as an .exe or as a .cab file. Also search for ns7.exe and ftpuser.exe. This may be a valid system file, but it can definitely be exploited.
  secureit  

Mine was just a normal windows file, however my friend had a problem with this a few months ago and it was a virus. If its causing problems, first let it run for a few min(10 min max) if it hasnt gone away shut off automatic updates in ctrl panel, if it still hasnt gone away, download any kind of delete on boot up software and get rid of it that way, or just do a search and delete all copies you can find. This program isnt needed, you can go to the windows site periodically to get updates if you need them. If this thing is causing any problems at all, squash it like a bug.
  Nathan  

After years of no problems, it started causing endless 100% CPU utilization. I've disabled it both in the Control Panel Auto Updates and msconfig services. But how to update my machine now?
  Fred  

It makes my laptop go extremely slow and can't be deleted. It's a legitimate Windows file when in Windows/System32, but it never goes away on my laptop and really slows me down.
  Schnippshly  

no music anymore :D I lost my soundcard driver's and then came this!
  ProLine [FIN]  

Not dangerous at all, just the windows update process, usually found in system32, windows backup and installation folder
  Shought   (further information)

Had the following trouble: data transfer while connected to the internet, but I didn't anything. TCPView showed, that IE is scanning ports somewhere. If I disable IE in msconfig, this does not happen. A check with HijackThis showed, that wualclt.exe might be involved.
  felix  

this malware hung up internet connection. it's mimetize inwith the homonimous wuauclt.exe as WUAUCLT.EXE, so most of the antivirus and removal spyware can't detected them. If you have turnoff autoupdate and the WUAUCLT.EXE is running, you are infected
  Juan Penas  

if you has desactivated the autoupdate and the WUAUCLT.EXE still running, you are infected. Note the name in MAY, it's not wuauclt.exe, part of windows update. These homonimia evited the antivirus and spyware tools remove them
  Juan Penas  

More comments can be found here:
    (further information)

wuauclt scanner

Security Task Manager shows all running Windows tasks including embedded hidden functions (e.g. keyboard or browser monitoring, autostart entry). A unique security risk rating indicates the likelihood of the process being potential spyware, malware, keylogger or a Trojan.

Spyware Doctor detects and removes sleeping spyware, adware, trojans, keyloggers, malware and tracking threats from your hard disk. Ideal supplement to Security Task Manager.

Registry Booster free scans, cleans, repairs and optimizes your system.

Other processes