Error Message When You Browse the Web: Wuauclt.exe Has Caused an Error in Wuv31s.dll (312477)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition
This article was previously published under Q312477
If this article does not describe the error message that you are receiving, view the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article to view more articles that describe error messages:

315854 Windows 98 and Windows Me Error Message Resource Center

SYMPTOMS

When you browse the Web in Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition (Me), you may receive an error message similar to the following:
WUAUCLT.EXE has caused an error in WUV31S.DLL
WUAUCLT will now close.
This message may reappear several times.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if the Wuauclt.exe file is damaged.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, rename Wuauclt.exe, extract a new version of Wuauclt.exe from your original Windows Me CD-ROM or from the Windows\Options\Install folder, and then install it to the Windows folder on your computer's hard disk. To do this, use both of the following methods.

Rename the Wuauclt.exe File

  1. Click Start, point to Search, and then click For Files or Folders.
  2. In the Search for files or folders named box, type wuauclt.exe.
  3. In the Look in box, click Local Disk (C:), and then click Search Now.

    The file is located in the C:\Windows folder (where C is the drive on which Windows is installed).
  4. In the Search Results window, right-click Wuauclt.exe, and then click Rename.
  5. Type wuauclt.old, and then press ENTER.
  6. Close the Search Results window.

Extract a New Version of the Wuauclt.exe File

  1. Click Start, and then click Run.
  2. In the Open box, type msconfig, and then click OK.
  3. In the System Configuration Utility dialog box, click Extract File.
  4. In the Specify the system file you would like to restore box, type Wuauclt.exe, and then click Start.
  5. Insert your Windows Me CD-ROM into your computer's CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive. Press and hold down the SHIFT key as you insert the CD-ROM to prevent it from starting automatically.
  6. In the Restore from box, click Browse, and then browse to the E:\win9x folder (where E is the letter of your computer's CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive), and then click OK.

    NOTE: If you have an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) installation of Windows Me, the installation files may also be located in one of the following folders

    C:\Windows\Options\Cabs
    C:\Windows\Options\Install

    where C is the drive on which Windows is installed.

    If these files reside on your computer, you do not need your Windows Me CD-ROM, because you can extract the Wuauclt.exe file from the appropriate folder on your hard disk. For example, browse to the C:\Windows\Options\Install folder, and then click OK.

  7. In the Save file in box, click Browse, and then browse to the C:\Windows folder (where C is the drive on which Windows is installed), and then click OK.
  8. Click OK to extract the file.
  9. Click OK to the "The file has been successfully extracted" message, and then click OK to close the System Configuration Utility dialog box.

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information about how to extract original Windows files, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

129605 How to Extract Original Compressed Windows Files

For additional information about how to troubleshoot another documented "WUAUCLT has caused an error in unknown" error message, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

266065 Error Message: WUAUCLT Has Caused an Error in Unknown

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:9/28/2004
Keywords:kberrmsg kbprb KB312477
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