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.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
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.

Was this answer helpful?

1700+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
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.

*** edited

Was this answer helpful?

500+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

216 additional answers

Sort by: Newest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2016-03-10T23:28:05+00:00

    I promise if you dont have problems with a virus or the host file it due to that 1.6 ghz cpu. Try a quad core and just watch the difference in the update progress and time be cut down to perfect.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2016-03-10T23:22:25+00:00

    I use Avira what the industry professionals use..AVG used to be good; lately ..Zen wouldn't install same prob as unsupported USB/when i tried installing it on my mom's computer - XP - guess what ..Xp logo or whatever that prompty warning was ..On an AV! Plus; my system detected it having a virus in the setup file ..really dodgy these days ..

    My setup; Intel Atom N270/1.6Ghz; 1Gb onboad Ram with a further 3 as ReadyBoost hence 4 in total; ample hard disk space; Win7 ..250k mobile broadband (slow connection may affect it, yes; but not like this ..).

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2016-03-10T23:14:30+00:00

    Over a few hours, all updates downloaded & installed which used to take about 20-30 minutes.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments