Windows Update Medic Service | What It Is, How to Disable It

Microsoft introduced the service called Windows Update Medical Service (WaaSMedicSVC) in Windows 10 recently. The purpose of this service is to help repair any damage to Windows Update components so that you can continue receiving Windows updates without any problems. This means that the service is responsible for managing any repairs as well as the security of Windows Update components.

What is SIH Client in Windows 10?

When you start your Windows 10, the operating system sets a task in the Task Scheduler on a daily basis and this daily task launches the SIH client. The job of this client is to identify corrupted system components in order to repair those that are critical for the automatic update of any Windows and Microsoft programs installed on your computer.

The task actually goes online to check how relevant the repairs are and then, based on the analysis, downloads the necessary fixes to complete the repair process.

Can we disable Windows Update Medic Service?

Yes, if you want to disable the service at any time, you can do so, but when you try to disable it via the Services Manager, you will get an Access Denied message. Also, the service is disabled only temporarily, as the Windows OS automatically triggers the update at some point.

How can we disable Windows Update Medic Service?

To disable Windows Update Medic Service, you can use free software like Windows Update Blocker or you can turn it off using Registry Editor. Let's see how.

Method 1: Editing the registry editor

Before you make any changes to the Registry Editor to disable Windows Update Medic Service, make sure to create a backup of the Registry Editor settings so that in case you lose data, you can easily recover it. What you need to do is follow the steps below:

• Press the hotkey Win + R on your keyboard to open the Run command.
• In the Run Command search field, type regedit and press Accept to open the Registry Editor window.
• Copy the path below and paste it into the address bar of the Registry Editor:
  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\WaaSMedicSvc
• On the right side of the panel, select Start.

• Double-click Start to open the dialog box. Edit DWORD (32-bit) value.
• Go to the field Value information and change it from 3 to 4.
• Exit the Registry Editor and reboot your system. The Windows Update Medic Service is now disabled.

Method 2: Create a batch file to quickly disable it

Periodic Windows 10 updates override the registry fix explained above. So, here is a method to create a batch file and keep it on the desktop or any drive. Whenever you start again, just click on this batch file and Windows Update Medic Service will be disabled.

• Open the Memo pad.
• Copy and paste the text which is provided below in the notepad.

echo Windows Update Medical Service
sc stop WaasMedicSvc
REG ADD HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\WaasMedicSvc /v Start /f /t REG_DWORD /d 4
echo.
echo Windows Update Service
sc stop wuauserv
REG ADD HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\wuauserv /v Start /f /t REG_DWORD /d 4
echo.
echo Update the Orchestrator service
sc stop UseSvc
REG ADD HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\UsoSvc /v Start /f /t REG_DWORD /d 4
echo.

• Now, click on Archive and then click Save as.
• Now, choose All Files in the option Save as type.
• Name the file disabledmedic (or you can name it whatever you want).

• Now whenever you want to disable Windows Update Medic Service, just click on this bat file.

Method 3: Use Windows Update Blocker

This is another method that you can use to disable Windows Update Medic Service on your PC. Follow the steps below:

• Click the link below to go to the download pageNow, locate Windows Update Blocker and click on it to download it:
  • Software download page
• As soon as you click on the link, the download will begin. Click to open the download file and then extract the file to the chosen folder.
• Once completed, the Windows Update Blocker box. Under Service Status, click the Menu button.
• From the context menu, select Windows Services.
• Open the window Service manager.
• On the right side of the panel, under the column First Name, locate Windows Update Medical Service.
• Double click on the service to open the window Properties. On the tab General, go to the Service Name section and copy the name: WaaSMedicSvc.

• Now, go back to the folder where you extracted the Windows Update Blocker software. Now, open the file Wub.ini in Notepad.

• In Notepad, go to the section List of services and in dosvc = 2,4 write WaaSMedicSvc = 3,4.
  Save and Get Out.
• Now, go back to the box Windows Update Blocker and press the button Apply now To save the changes.
• You have now disabled Windows Update Medic Service.

Preventing problems with Windows Update Medic Service

Disabling the WaasMedic Agent executable file is the last resort solution to resolve issues related to this service. However, we can fix Windows Update Medic Service problems by addressing other potential causes without disabling the service completely.

The following are often the two possible causes of problems with the Windows Update Medic service.

• Junk files
• Malicious software

Junk files and unused installed software

Unnecessary files accumulate on your PC when downloads files that you don't use often. Files like pictures, documents, or songs that we no longer use can cause serious performance issues.

These files consume precious space on your hard drive and can prevent normal daily operation of the operating system. The same goes for unused installed software. For example, maybe you installed some small software like a quick access bar or an add-on and forgot about it. Now, that software is consuming valuable disk space and other critical resources of your PC without you knowing it.

Fortunately, cleaning up unnecessary files and unused software is a simple 2-step process that can help prevent Windows Update Medic Service issues.

• Go to section Control Panel Programs. Look in the list for programs you no longer use.
• Click on any such program you find. An option to uninstall it will be displayed. Click on the option uninstall to start the program uninstallation wizard.

On the other hand, you need a good disk cleanup utility like BleachBit o CCleaner to remove junk files. These maintenance programs can remove unused system files and user files with efficient disk cleanup operations.

These utilities are not limited to cleaning the Recycle Bin. They also scan the memory and storage areas. storage shared for various installed programs and other files to see which ones can be safely removed to perform a solid disk cleanup operation.

You may be interested in: Error System Service Exception in Windows 10 | Solutions

Data Execution and Malware Prevention

Another reason for Windows Update Medic Service related issues could be security threats such as viruses and malware. malwareThere have been cases where a particular malware attacks or mimics a specific Windows built-in utility. This type of virus attempts to execute code in the privileged memory areas of Microsoft Windows., where it can cause the most damage to your computer.

Browsers have security features against virus attacks. Despite this, these programs could have loopholes that provide «entry points» for harmful malware. Therefore, we need to proactively improve our system security against such threats.

We can make our systems more secure against such threats by using a Windows feature called Data Execution Prevention that performs a scan to detect incorrect memory usage in programs.

As we have seen, The malware attempts to execute its malicious code within particular regions of memory with the highest potential risk of damaging system security and integrity. By detecting potentially unusual memory usage patterns, Data Execution Prevention stops these attacks in their tracks.

By default, Microsoft Windows automatically enables this feature for system applications. However, to provide strong security, we need to turn on this feature for all programs on the PC. To do so:

• Search the start menu This PC. Once you find it, right click on it and select Properties
• Window opens System Propertiesa. You can view your system configuration and specifications and an overview of the installed operating system.
• Click on the hyperlink Advanced System Settings on the left side of the system properties window. Next, navigate to the button Setting … in the group Unlimited.
• Another window opens. Here you can find more settings to further fine-tune your computer's performance. Click on the tab Data Execution Prevention.
• Then click on the radio button Turn on DEP for all programs and services except those I select. Finally, click on Accept to save the settings and enable DEP on your laptop or PC.

Final words

The decision to disable Windows Update Medical Service It's a matter of personal preference. Some users prefer to leave it enabled, especially if it doesn't cause them any problems, but others may want to disable it. If you find that disabling this service improves system performance, then you should keep it disabled.