MS online update requires administrator privileges.. no users set up!

While trying to update a windows 98 machine at my workplace using windows update, I receive an error stating that administrator privileges are required. It goes on to say please contact your network administrator if you believe this message was received in error. There are no users set up on this machine, nor does it log in to a server. How can I try to remedy this problem? I have limited access to the machine, so a bunch of suggestions to try each time I make a visit would be helpful but is not required. Thank you for your time.

 

Go to the registry at this Key.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

Look for this Value in the right pane.

NoWindowsUpdate

Either right click on it and Modify the Value Data to "0" [zero], or delete it.
Reboot for it to take affect.

 

Thank you Mark. your suggestion worked, only the key was not found under HKEY_CURRENT_USER but LOCAL_MACHINE instead. it apparently has the same effect, which would be governing the entire machine (regardless of user.. correct?) from accessing windows update, returning the message i cited above. As i stated above, there were no users on this machine.

i have one more question for you, what would cause this to be installed in the first place, and in the place it was?

 

Yes, you are correct about HKLM affecting all users.
You have stated that the computer is at your workplace, I can only speculate someone put it there manually, to affect anyone that uses it.
I would have removed it, also. Especially since it is not on a network, and there is no other way to get the updates.