Solved Unable to Update Windows in Guest Account

zilla

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Hi,

I just clean installed Windows 8.1 Pro & observed that it won't let me update in the Guest account. I am able to update in my account (Admin) & also the Metro update. Attached is the screenshot of the error when I try updating in the Guest account. I have tried restarting several times to no avail. Please help!

Thanks!
 

Attachments

  • Update Error.jpg
    Update Error.jpg
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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Memory
    2GB
    Screen Resolution
    1280 x 1024
Hello Zilla, and welcome to Eight Forums.

Sorry, but the Guest account does not have the rights to be able to install Windows Updates. :(
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
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    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Hello Zilla, and welcome to Eight Forums.

Sorry, but the Guest account does not have the rights to be able to install Windows Updates. :(
And I suspect that it is not even necessary once you update thru administrator account, Also, Guest account is there so unauthorized users can not change system files and system wide settings. It's a safety feature.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home made
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
    Memory
    16GB Kingston 3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 evo 250GB
    Silicon Power V70 240GB SSD
    WD 1 TB Blue
    WD 2 TB Blue
    Bunch of backup HDDs.
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    Sharkoon, Silent Storm 660W
    Case
    Raidmax
    Cooling
    CCM Nepton 140xl
    Internet Speed
    40/2 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    WD
Hello Zilla, and welcome to Eight Forums.

Sorry, but the Guest account does not have the rights to be able to install Windows Updates. :(

That is very strange as I was able to download updates from Guest account in Win 7. Can you confirm that they have disabled this feature? Thanks!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Memory
    2GB
    Screen Resolution
    1280 x 1024
In terms of rights and privileges the Guest account is the lowest of the low. By design this account is not permitted to make changes that might effect other users. To permit such an account the ability to perform a Windows update would seriously compromise the security and stability of the OS.

Just for interest I logged into Windows 7 with the Guest account and attempted to do a Windows update. As I expected the attempt failed and with pretty much the same error as in the above screenshot. I would have been shocked and very much disturbed if it were otherwise.

In this context the error message does not indicate that there is anything wrong with the system. It just means that the user account was unable to start a necessary service, as is to be expected.

No version of any NT class OS has ever provided the ability to do a Windows update to the Guest account. That would be irresponsible.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
In Windows 7, there is a "Allow all users to install updates on this computer" Windows Update setting that you could check that may have allowed guests to install them.

This setting is no longer in Windows 8/8.1.

W7.jpg
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
It seems reasonable that Windows would permit updates to be automatically checked for, downloaded, and even installed while a Guest user is logged in. In that case an admin user has delegated these matters to automatic update. A Guest user has no involvement in this, as is proper. I have confirmed that a Guest user cannot initiate Windows update, as is proper.

It appears that Windows 8 has tightened up the security in this.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Brink: Thanks for clarifying. Many programs like IE, MS Office, etc offer updates via Windows updates. These programs are also available in the Guest account. Does this mean that the "Guest" user would not get all those important & recommended updates???
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Memory
    2GB
    Screen Resolution
    1280 x 1024
As already mentioned the Guest account has very low privileges and cannot make any changes that would effect other users. A Guest user cannot make any updates. Such a user will receive the benefits of updates but they must be done by an admin account.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
:ditto:

The guest account can't do it, but if an administrator installs them, then all accounts have the updates since they are system updates and not just user updates.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
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