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

Anonymous

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?

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Anonymous

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

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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216 additional answers

Anonymous

2016-12-29T17:19:27+00:00

If you first go to the Windows Update program on your computer and click on "x optional updates are available" (or similar text) you can see the list of updates that your machine needs. From this list you'll want to write down the Knowledge Base number associated with the update. For instance "... (KB2876229) "

You'll need to stop Windows Update services before trying to do the install(s). (Sorry, I'm still back in Win 7 Pro so I'm not sure how this works in Win 8.1 / 10) Click on the Start button, in the Search programs and files box type "Services". (Without the quotes) At the bottom of the list find Windows Update, Right click and select Stop. You can also get here by (in Win 7) starting Task Manager (Ctrl+Alt+Del) and click on the Services tab.

The individual updates can be found here:

https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Home.aspx

Enter only the numbers from the update list (2876229 or similar) into the search box. Click on download (right side) for the update that applies to your system.

I've been working through the list 5-10 updates at a time and then rebooting and repeating the process. It's ridiculous, but it's all we've got.

Hope this helps.
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Anonymous

2016-12-14T18:20:49+00:00

Given this thread is now so convoluted with comments/suggestions not related to windows vista, I have restarted the original discussion about MS Update download issues on VISTA machines here:

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows\_vista-update/windows-vista-update-will-not-download-updates/56d0f361-c7de-4547-953a-56cf209f5c80?tm=1481738499339

Many of us still looking for a workable solution.

Thx and cheers.
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Anonymous

2016-12-10T17:57:58+00:00

I'm having same problem but went from Windows 7 to Windows 10 this is a newer laptop and is freezing up also running slow.my updates stay at 0% as well.
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