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
    2013-07-07T23:20:38+00:00

    Actually, it does make sense & I was serious.

    Trust me, posting "Me, too!" replies & gripes to other threads isn't gonna do squat for your problems (whatever they are).

    Until just very recently, Microsoft offered no-charge support for Windows Update issues (for currently-supported Windows versions; i.e., Win8 & Win7 SP1). Always with an eye on the almighty bottom line, the only free support now is in these forums where most of us are volunteers & users like you. Otherwise you can shell out $50.00 USD (or more) for Premium Support via the Microsoft-sponsored Answer Desk. [1]  Nice, huh?

    ==========================================================

    [1] Note: The Answer Desk techs are not Microsoft employees but out-sourced, third-party (and often third-world) contract workers.

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-07-07T22:12:05+00:00

    Well, I suppose you could always begin a new thread about your Windows version & your problem to avoid confusion...

    Yes because it's probably a totally different issue with nothing whatsoever to do with the issue OP and others were having. Despite all the same symptoms. Yeah, because that just makes complete sense.

    The same problems persisting from Vista through Windows 7 to Windows 8 just shows that something's really FUBAR with Windows Update, and Microsoft succeeded in solving it all these years. (The FixIt! app says it fixed the issue, with no actual change in WU behaviour or symptoms. Hooray.)

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-07-07T22:09:42+00:00

    Well, I suppose you could always begin a new thread about your Windows version & your problem to avoid confusion...

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