Windows 8 app updates stuck on Pending

I had an issue today where Windows 8 App updates were stuck on “Pending” status. This was for the Microsoft apps like Mail, Calendar, Messenger, Games, Maps etc. To workaround this problem use the following from a command prompt running as administrator.

net stop wuauserv
rename c:\windows\SoftwareDistribution softwaredistribution.old
net start wuauserv

 

Found at http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_8-winapps/maps-app-cannot-install-or-update-but-other-apps/01b3db2c-f805-444a-8bce-9f85733aa276

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