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

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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.

*** edited

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  1. Anonymous
    2015-12-18T23:15:37+00:00

    I had problems where it appeared that nothing was happening, stuck at 0%. But I left it overnight, and I was amazed that the updates installed.  So you might try that.  Also, you can try booting into safe mode with networking and updating. I have had trouble before when I had to do that.

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-12-18T22:28:10+00:00

    Just thought I would share my problem with everyone as this is the best thread so far. I wasnt trying any of the fix it stuff as I knew it wasnt windows or my computer hardware. What i found was a tipical delay with the coming of windows 10 but also i had latest versions of coretemp open and crashing while running windows update. Secondly had my LG phone driver drop after the first couple update i found to continue updating even after 2 restart attempts i physically had to unplug the usb phone and plug it back in other than that after 2 months of not much worry for this problem, I see now the one delay was normal, after that speed came with a smile. This i have tested on duo core, quad core and core i5. Each step down in chip technology was a longer delay time in regards to the delay problem.

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-12-18T21:39:31+00:00

    Hi again. The only thing I can help tell you is if you decide to stay with windows 10 then there does seem to be a tipical windows update delay that started with the arrival of windows 10. This delay has effected windows 7, 8, & 10. If you get a failed update error then start with the most basic problems like.... Programs running, (for example) close as many running or startup programs as possible. Another thing is to make sure the time and date are correct and matching, per bias & windows taskbar time. Lastly unplug any hardware not needed (for example) usb devices unless these devices and drivers are absolutely know to be in perfect working order without conflicts. Lastly with my Windows 7 pc i have recently found after 2 months of fiddling around that my usb Lg phone driver was causing a problem but it was fixed simply by unplugging and replugging in the usb phone device. Windows 10 i have found zero problems with as long as I follow these steps I also follow for windows 7. Good luck! I asure windows 10 is fine minus its normal bugs.

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