Error 403 (Access Denied/Forbidden) occurs when you connect to Windows Update

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This article provides a solution to an error 403 that occurs when you access Windows Update.

Applies to: Windows 10 - all editions
Original KB number: 245142

Symptoms

When you try to access the Windows Update website, you receive the following error message:

Error 403: Access Denied/Forbidden

Cause

This issue occurs for any of the following reasons:

  • You're running personal firewall software or some other security, download assistant, or web accelerator software.
  • The Windows Update site control is missing or is damaged on your computer.
  • The Hosts file is damaged or contains incorrect information.
  • There are missing or damaged Internet Explorer files that display the script on the page.

Resolution

To resolve this issue, use one of the following procedures based on what's causing the issue. If you don't know what's causing the error message, use these resolutions in the order that they're listed. For example, if the first resolution doesn't solve the issue, continue to the next resolution.

Disable security, download assistant, or web accelerator software

  1. Microsoft has verified that the kinds of software programs in the following list contribute to Unauthorized or Access Denied/Forbidden errors. Disable any third-party software that fits one of the following descriptions:

    • Ad removal programs
    • Web accelerators
    • Download assistants
    • Security software
    • Antivirus software

  2. Try to connect to the Windows Update site by going to Microsoft Update.

  3. If you still can't connect, try the next resolution.

Reset the Hosts file to the default

For information about how to reset the Hosts file to the default Hosts file, see How can I reset the Hosts file back to the default?.

Install a new scripting engine

Note

These steps only apply to computers that are running Windows XP or earlier versions of Windows.

  1. Go to the Microsoft Download Center.

  2. Click the Update symbol next to the update for your version of Windows.

    Update symbol

  3. Click Download (on the right side of the page).

  4. Click Save to Disk, and then save the file to the default location.

  5. On your desktop, double-click the STE56en.exe icon (for Microsoft Windows 98, Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition, and Windows NT) or double-click the Scripten.exe icon (for Microsoft Windows 2000 and Windows XP).

  6. After the installation is complete, you can remove STE56en.exe or Scripten.exe file from your Desktop. To do so, right-click the icon, and then click Delete.

  7. Restart your computer, and then go to the Windows Update website.

Note

Some Internet accelerators change the Hosts file. To resolve this issue, rename the file.