Windows Update Notification Not Appearing in Notification Tray when logged in as a Standard User in Windows Vista

Windows Update Notifications icon will not show up in the Notification Tray for Standard Users that are logged into Windows Vista when a Windows Update is available to download and / or install. The Windows Update Notifications will appear when the user is running as an Administrator. Users that are running as Standard Users in Windows Vista could apply a policy to allow Windows Update Notifications to appear when updates are ready to download and / or install.

CAUTION

Before making any changes to the Windows Vista Registry, please backup the Windows Vista Registry using the directions from "Create a System Restore Point". For restoring your computer with a system restore point within Windows Vista, read "Restore Your System/Computer Using A User Created System Restore Point".

Manual Steps Using Group Policy Editor

NOTE

The Group Policy Editor requires Administrative privileges and is only available for Windows Vista Business, Windows Vista Enterprise, and Windows Vista Ultimate. Windows Vista Home Premium and Windows Vista Home Basic users can follow the Windows Vista Registry Method, REG ADD Method, or the Automated Fix Method to add the Group Policy.

1. Click on the Start Orb (commonly known as the Start button).
2. Type gpedit.msc in the Start Search field on the Start Menu.
3. Press CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER on your keyboard.
4. Accept the UAC Prompt.
5. In the Group Policy Editor navigate to:

   Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update

6. Double-click Allow non-administrators to receive update notifications.
7. Select Enabled.
8. Click Apply.
9. Close the Group Policy Editor.

Manual Steps Using Windows Vista Registry

1. Click on the Start Orb (commonly known as the Start button).
2. Type regedit.exe in the Start Search field on the Start Menu.
3. Press CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER on your keyboard to elevate the Windows Vista Registry. More Information, "Opening the Registry Editor with Elevated Privileges".
4. Accept the UAC Prompt.
5. Navigate to:

   HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate

   NOTE

   The WindowsUpdate registry key may not exists. To create the WindowsUpdate key, right-click HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows to select New > Key. Name the new key WindowsUpdate.

6. Right-click WindowsUpdate to select New > DWORD (32-bit).
7. Name the new DWORD ElevateNonAdmins.
8. Right-click ElevateNonAdmins to select Modify.
9. Change the value to 1.
10. Close the Elevated Registry Editor.

NOTE

You may need to log off then log on to your user account or restart your computer for the changes to take affect.

Manual Steps Using REG ADD

1. Click on the Start Orb (commonly known as the Start button).
2. Type cmd.exe in the Start Search field on the Start Menu.
3. Press CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER on your keyboard to elevate the Windows Vista Command Prompt. More Information, "Opening an Elevated Command Prompt".
4. Accept the UAC Prompt.
5. Type:

   REG ADD "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate" /v ElevateNonAdmins /t REG_DWORD /d 1
   

6. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
7. Type EXIT and press ENTER on your keyboard to close the Elevated Command Prompt.

NOTE

You may need to log off then log on to your user account or restart your computer for the changes to take affect.

Automated Fix Using an Registration File

1. Log into an account with Administrative Privileges if you are not part of the Administrator Group.
2. Download wu.notifications.reg to a folder on your hard drive.
3. Right-click wu.notifications.reg to select Merge.
4. Accept the UAC Prompt.
5. Now the registration entries are added for you.

NOTE

You may need to log off then log on to your user account or restart your computer for the changes to take affect.

NOTES

The wu.notifications.reg file is from my web server (http://lprf.homeserver.com). You also can view the contents of the wu.notifications.reg file by right-clicking the file and selecting Edit. You may need to log off then log on to your user account or restart your computer for the changes to take affect.

Platforms Tested

• Microsoft Windows Vista, 32-bit Editions

Version 1.1
Edited: May 11, 2012