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
    2010-04-18T16:38:45+00:00

    Repost: Has a Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on the computer (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you bought it)?

    You snooze, you lose: Support for Vista Gold (no Service Packs) ended on Tuesday, 13 April 2010! Computers still running Vista Gold "will no longer receive software updates [e.g., SP1] from Windows Update" until SP1 has been manually installed (which will require that several Prerequisite Updates be installed first). See http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/windowsvista/archive/2010/04/13/end-of-support-for-windows-vista-with-no-services-packs.aspx.

        • What does it mean if my version of Windows is no longer supported?

           http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/help/what-does-end-of-support-mean

    That being said, free unlimited installation and compatibility support for Vista SP1 has been extended a third time & now runs through 10 August 2010. Some issues may require more advanced support for which there is a charge.

    • US: http://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?ln=en-us&prid=11274&gprid=500921

    • CA: http://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?ln=en-ca&prid=11274&gprid=500921

    • UK: http://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?ln=en-gb&prid=11274&gprid=500921

    • AU: http://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?ln=en-au&prid=11274&gprid=500921

    • Other: http://support.microsoft.com/select/default.aspx?target=assistance&c1=509 | select your Windows Vista version | select Service Pack 1 & the appropriate Sub-topic (i.e., Download issue; Installation issue; Issues after you install a service pack).

    ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear) ~ MS MVP (IE, Mail, Security, Windows & Update Services) since 2002 ~ Disclaimer: MS MVPs neither represent nor work for Microsoft

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  2. Anonymous
    2010-04-18T09:02:49+00:00

    Thanks guys. The answers to your questions are.

    I'm running Vista 32 bit, I'm up to date on all the upgrades till now.

    I rebooted the computer after I ran the fixit program, as that was requested at the end of running the program. It didn't make any difference.

    Upgrade tells me that upgrades are available but will not download them. The amount shown stays at 0%, no matter how long I let it run.

    I'm using avast antivirus for a while now. I had no problems downloading upgrades previously with this same program.

    The firewall I'm using is Comodo firewall. I've switched it off and still I can't download any upgrades.

    Any ideas on my next step?

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  3. Anonymous
    2010-04-17T16:06:31+00:00

    Always state your full Windows version (e.g., WinXP SP3; WinXP 64-bit SP2; Vista SP1; Vista 64-bit SP2; Win7; Win7 64-bit) when posting in a forum or newsgroup. Please do so in your next reply.

    What anti-virus application or security suite is installed and is your subscription current?  What anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)?  What third-party firewall (if any)?

    Has a(another) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on the computer (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you bought it)?

    ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear) ~ MS MVP (IE, Mail, Security, Windows & Update Services) since 2002 ~ Disclaimer: MS MVPs neither represent nor work for Microsoft

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