Microsoft fixes bug causing Windows Update automation issues

Microsoft has resolved a known issue caused by the June 2024 KB5039302 preview update, causing update problems when using Windows Update automation scripts on Windows 11 systems.

This issue impacts only client platforms (Windows 11 23H2 and Windows 11 22H2) in enterprise environments. Home customers using Home or Pro editions managed via Windows Automatic Updates are unlikely to be affected.

"After installing the June 2024 Windows preview update, released June 25, 2024 (KB5039302) and later updates, you might face issues using Windows Update Agent API (WUA) from your script (PowerShell, VBScript, etc.) while searching for Windows updates," Microsoft explained on Friday.

"Due to this issue, you might get an empty result when querying the properties of IUpdate objects present in the IUpdateCollection and error code 0x8002802B (TYPE_E_ELEMENTNOTFOUND) when calling methods on the object from your script."

While Redmond said it resolved this known issue via Known Issue Rollback (KIR)—a Windows feature that reverses flawed non-security updates delivered via Windows Update—the company is also working to include the fix in a future update.

Group Policy available for enterprise endpoints

KIR fixes usually take up to 24 hours to roll out to all affected devices, but customers can also restart affected Windows 11 devices to expedite this process.

To resolve this bug on affected Windows enterprise-managed devices, admins must install and set up this KIR Group Policy targeting the two impacted Windows versions.

After installing it on the affected endpoints, you can find the Group Policy under Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates.

To deploy the Known Issue Rollback, you must access the Local Computer Policy or the Domain policy on your domain controller and use the Group Policy Editor to select the specific Windows version you want to target.

"You will need to install and configure the Group Policy for your version of Windows to resolve this issue," Microsoft added. "You will also need to restart your device(s) to apply the group policy setting. Note that the Group Policy will temporarily disable the change causing the script issue. "

Detailed information on deploying and configuring KIR Group Policies is available on Microsoft's support website.

On Wednesday, Redmond also fixed a known issue causing Windows 11 restart loops and taskbar problems triggered by the same KB5039302 preview update.