Windows 7 Checking For Updates stuck forever

Anonymous
2011-05-31T17:23:58+00:00

original title: Windows 7 Checking For Updates stuck forever - I know this is answered, but the solutions don't work for me. Please see details!

I have installed a legit Windows 7 OS on my laptop. Its not an upgrade, it was a blank hard drive. WIndows 7 installed flawlessly, picked up all my drivers. The only problem is I am having problems with Windows 7 updates. When I choose Windows 7 update, it says "Checking for updates" and stays like that - forever. Even the next day. I did heavy heavy research, found out others are having the same problem. I tried all the fixes I could find, which are listed below:

  1. No Anti-virus programs installed yet - brand new Windows 7 ultimate installation
  2. There is no spyware - its a brand new clean install
  3. Firewall shut off
  4. Temp files, cookies, history cleared
  5. background intelligent transfer service set to automatic in services.msc
  6. software distribution folder renamed
  7. tried shutting off automatic updates and doing it manually
  8. Added windowsupdate to trust zone
  9. ran MicrosoftFixit50202 in normal and advanced mode

Even with my internet SHUT OFF (turned off modem) it still checks for updates and doesn't fail with "No internet connection available".

Please, please help. Anyone.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | 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.

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Anonymous
2011-06-08T21:01:42+00:00

Problem solved.

It was my internet connection!! I logged onto my neighbors via wireless unsecured (ssh... don't tell lol), and within 30 seconds, 77 updates came through!

It has to be something in my network.

Thanks for helping though!!

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  1. Anonymous
    2016-05-21T16:18:17+00:00

    Before spending a lot of time finding out if the windows update mechanism is corrupt, etc etc etc etc i would do a clean install first (not taking a lot time) after that FIRST install (temporary) Windows Security Essentials, and the latest Windows Update Client for your version of Windows 7. Sometimes a manual reboot is required. (For example after updating the WU client or install of Sec Essentials.

    you can find the link to the latest update client in recent posts of others on this site.

    In the past i simply used the manual install  of IE11 to get the windows update mechanism working again. (It seems that installing IE11 has some WUS components in it). Nowerdays i have more easy succes installing the WU recent client...

    PS some days ago i read about a cumulative update for windows 7 could be very interesting but didnt test this yet..

    succes!

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  2. Anonymous
    2016-05-23T12:29:41+00:00

    Great process

    I was looking for this tricks for 1 week

    And i ffollow your step by step and everything works like a charm

    Eithet directly from Microsolft

    Or from my Local WSUS

    Many thanks for your work

    Best regards

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  3. Anonymous
    2016-05-23T14:15:29+00:00

    This morning I turned the failing computer on and it started updating.  I rebooted afterwards and checked for more updates and everything was back to normal.

    Thanks for everyones help.

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  4. Anonymous
    2016-05-26T15:32:55+00:00

    This is a response to an old post but the question keeps popping up. The problem occurs because of a bad update of Windows 7 that "breaks" the Windows Update program. The Windows Update Troubleshooter does not fix the problem. It is not due to a virus or a "slow" internet connection. It is caused by a "bad" update from Microsoft.

       The easiest way to get past the problem and restore Windows Update is to use an update that bypasses the Windows Update program. After much reading and trying various suggested solutions including those posted here I found WSUS Offline Update which installs a "roll-up" of Windows 7 updates and brings the machine almost up to date and fixes the Windows Update program. After using WSUS Offline Update all that remains is to perform a couple of updates using the restored Windows Update to be fully updated. 

       You can also use the newly released update roll-up released by Microsoft for Windows 7 (sort of an SP-2 for Windows 7).

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