Windows update will not download updates - stuck at 0% downloading

Anonymous
2010-04-17T03:45:39+00:00

Everytime I start windows update it won't download the updates. The bar keeps on running but nothing downloads and the percentage stays at 0%.

Whats wrong? Anything I can do to fix this?

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Windows update

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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Anonymous
2011-11-10T19:59:39+00:00

I found a solution to my problem when Windows would search for updates, but then when it started downloading it would stay at 0% forever. I started by stopping the Windows Update service (in my case the service proved to be frozen so I restarted my computer and disabled the service before it starts) and the Application Experience service. After that I went to the C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution folder and pressed ctrl+a and shift+delete to empty its contents. Mine contained more than 70,000 files so it took a while. I started Application Experience and enabled Windows Update. I let it check for updates and try to download them. It worked perfectly.

Do not worry about deleting important windows files in this case. The contents of SoftwareDistribution is used as a cache and data for Windows Update. When Windows Update starts again it rebuilds the cache repopulating it with up-to-date versions of the files and chewing up a ton of harddisk space again.

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Anonymous
2010-04-23T13:09:40+00:00

sash123,

    If this issue is still happening, then take a look at article: Vista Update stops at stage 3 of 3 

Then let us know the results.


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216 additional answers

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  1. Anonymous
    2016-03-13T05:17:01+00:00

    Honestly, we like Windows; but this kinda **** ..

    Impressive gaming rigs you had, btw..kosher ..

    It's not the processor; i mean mine is half of what you said - dualcore - and, well, you've seen all this .. conn. speed .. and still i got that ..it's not the speed, it's how they transmit telemetry that they've screwed up ...yeah, like doing a 'manual' update it doesn't transmit anything anymore

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  2. Anonymous
    2016-03-13T05:14:12+00:00

    .. i do :) well, 32 , but ..and always prior to new installs i backup (this way i am protected plus i get the latest updates on the next one anyways ..AFTER :) i know they won't fck me up) ..

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  3. Anonymous
    2016-03-13T05:09:20+00:00

    I'm glad something finally showed you its working i quit using core 2 duo because of that not being able to see things work i hate seeing nothing for 10 to 16 hours then all a sudden holy ****! Finally updated. Like i said a 2015 version of windows 7 has all the latest updates for a quick freash install. I would suggest always backing up the new '(operating system with every last update to date installed)'  to a 64 gig usb/sd card using window backup. This way you have your very own created 2015 backup image and no need to purchase the disk.

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