I got this answer from M$ and it works:
This issue can occur if an older version of the control had been downloaded on the machine previously and was not installed or failed to be installed. I suggest we go to the Windows Update website (
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com, select custom install and select update KB905474 to reinstall th
e update again and see if the issue still persists. If the issue continues, let us take the following steps to troubleshoot this issue.
Step 1: Manually install KB905474
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1. Please download the update KB905474 from the following website link and save it on to your Desktop:
http://www.download.windowsupdate.c..._4bafa8793e8cdcaf4ba4ffc494df32d496154544.exe
Note: Since the above URL address is quite long, and separated on two lines. Please copy and paste the URL to the address bar to access it, rather than clicking the hyperlink directly.
2. After downloading the update, please double-click the downloaded file on to your Desktop, and it will be launched automatically. Please follow the instructions to install it.
If the update can be successfully installed locally, please go to the Windows Update website to see if it is reoffered again. If it isn't, this issue is resolved. If the problem cannot be resolved by the above steps, please refer to the following steps to troubleshoot it:
Step 2: Rename the Window Update temporary folder called Softwaredistribution using the steps below.
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The problem may occur if the temporary folder Windows Update has been corrupted. We can refer to the following steps to rename this folder. Please note that the folder will be created again once we visit the Windows Update site again.
1. Click Start, click Run, and type "cmd" (without quotations) and press Enter. Please run the following command in the opened window to stop Automatic Updates service.
Type in "net stop WuAuServ" (without quotations) and press Enter.
Note: Please ensure the Automatic Updates service is stopped before we try to rename the folder.
2. Click Start, click Run, and type in "%windir%" (without quotations) and press Enter.
3. In the opened folder, rename the SoftwareDistribution folder to SDold.
4. Click Start, click Run, and type in "cmd" (without quotations) and press Enter. Please run the command "net start WuAuServ" in the opened window to restart the service Automatic Updates.
After completing the above steps, please refer to the Windows Update website to install the WGA Notifications again. If the issue persists, please assist me in collecting the following information for further research.
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thanks spike, I never did get the chance to try yours, but thanks for the help anyway.