What to do if Windows cannot find wuapp.exe

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Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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Earlier Windows platforms include awuapp.exe filethat opensWindows Update settingsin the Control Panel. Users can open theWindows Updatesettings by entering ‘wuapp.exe’ inRun. They can also open the Control Panel’s update settings by selectingWindows Updatein Internet Explorer.

However, the update settings inWin 10are a little different. Microsoft removed the ‘wuapp.exe’ file fromWindows 10. SoWin 10includes update options within the Settings app instead of Control Panel. As such, a “Windows cannot find wuapp.exe”error messagepops up when users enter ‘wuapp.exe’ inRun. Thaterror messagecan also pop up when users clickWindows Updatein older versions of Internet Explorer (IE 11 no longer includes aWindows Updateoption).

FIX: Windows cannot find wuapp.exe

1. Set Up a Wuapp Batch File

So you can’t openWindows Updatesettings inWin 10by entering ‘wuapp.exe’ inRun. That was undoubtedly a handy shortcut for opening update options. However, you can set up a batch file that will open theWindow Updateoptions in Settings when you enter ‘wuapp’ inRun, which will effectively restore the wuapp Run command inWin 10. This is how you can set up a wuapp batch file.

Add a Windows Update Shortcut to the Desktop

Alternatively, you can add a shortcut to the desktop that opensWindows Update. That’s a better shortcut than opening update settings withRunas you can add a hotkey to it. Follow the guidelines below to set up a desktop shortcut hotkey forWindows Updateoptions.

So that’s how you can set up two handy shortcuts with which to quickly open update settings. As the batch file restores the wuapp Run command, that effectively fixes the “Windows cannot find wuapp.exe”error message. However, the desktop shortcut hotkey provides a slightly more direct way to openWindows Updateoptions.

What to do if Windows cannot find wuapp.exe#

FIX: Windows cannot find wuapp.exe#

1. Set Up a Wuapp Batch File#

Add a Windows Update Shortcut to the Desktop#

What to do if Windows cannot find wuapp.exe

FIX: Windows cannot find wuapp.exe

1. Set Up a Wuapp Batch File

Add a Windows Update Shortcut to the Desktop