When searching for available updates on the Update site, you receive the 0x800A0046 error.
Last updated : 12/16/2005 Print | Close


Problem description
This error can occur if the user logon account is part of the Guest accounts or a limited-user account, if the security descriptor does not allow have the Authenticated Users to run Windows Update, or if the Impersonate a client after authentication policy is missing Service and Administrators from the Users and Groups list.

Applicable operating systems

  • Windows 2000

  • Windows XP

  • Windows Server 2003

Resolutions
1. Verify the Local Administrator and Service account are added to the "Impersonate a client after authentication" security policy.
  1. Click Start.
  2. Point to Programs.
  3. Point to Administrative Tools.
  4. Choose Local Security Policy.
  5. Expand Local Policies.
  6. Choose User Rights Assignment.
  7. Double-click to open the Impersonate a client after authentication policy.
  8. On the Local Security Setting tab, add the Service and Administrator to the list of Users and Groups.
  9. Click OK.
  10. Restart the system.


Did this resolve your problem?
        
2. Set the Security Descriptor
  1. Click Start.
  2. Choose Run.
  3. In the Run box, type cmd.
  4. Click OK.
  5. At the command prompt, type sc sdset wuauserv D:(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;SY)(A;;CCDCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRSDRCWDWO;;;BA)(A;;CCLCSWLOCRRC;;;AU)(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;PU)
  6. Press Enter; you should receive a Success message.
  7. At the command prompt, type Exit to close the command prompt window.
  8. Try Windows Update again.


Did this resolve your problem?
        
3. Please remove the user account experiencing difficulty from the Guests or Limited user account
  1. Click Start.
  2. Click Settings.
  3. Click Control Panel.
  4. Select Administrative Tools.
  5. Choose Computer Management.
  6. Expand Local Users and Groups.
  7. Select Users.
  8. Open the account used to access Windows Update.
  9. Click the Member Of tab.
  10. Highlight the user account you want to remove and click Remove.


Did this resolve your problem?
        


For more information about When searching for available updates on the Update site, you receive the 0x800A0046 error., see article 883821 in the Microsoft Knowledge Base.

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