0x800A0046
One user who contacted MS received these instructions which appeared to work for him:
<snip>
- Log on the machine in safe mode as the Administrator (You might be able to do this without being in safe mode).
- Rename the directory called SoftwareDistribution in the Windows directory
- Rename the folder called CATROOT2 in the Windows>System32 directory
- Reboot and try the Windows update again.
<snip>
It is my opinion that the Automatic Update service should be stopped before undertaking the above and then restarted when finished.
To stop the Automatic Update service -
Click Start, Choose Run.
In the Run box, type services.msc.
Click OK.
Right-click the Automatic Updates service.
Click Stop.
Stopping the service will take a moment.
You can then try the instructions above recommended by another user who received MS support.
Don't forget to start the Automatic Updates service when finished
Click Start. Choose Run.
In the Run box, type services.msc.
Click OK.
Right-click the Automatic Updates service.
Click Start.
Starting the service will take a moment.
Try WU again otherwise see the following links
Error message when you visit the Windows Update Web site or the Microsoft Update Web site: "0x800A0046"
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/910338
You may receive an error message when you search for available updates on the Windows Update Web site
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/883821
When searching for available updates on the Update site, you receive the 0x800A0046 error.
http://update.microsoft.com/windowsupdate/v6/showarticle.aspx?articleid=20&ln=en
Note that if you remove the user account from any groups, you will need to log off and on again and if you are using Win2000 not WinXP, the SC.exe isn't included in Win2000. You can download it from here: ftp://ftp.microsoft.com/reskit/win2000/