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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261 additional answers

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  1. Anonymous
    2016-09-01T13:48:50+00:00

    I've been using MS OSs since they rolled the first one out decades ago, but they not only "dropped the ball on pretty much everything" as you so eloquently put it, with their mandatory rules and ridiculous regs, especially with their MS Live Account, but they betrayed every loyal customer who used to praise MS as though it was the Holy Grail to anyone and everyone who would listen.  W10 crashed my Lenovo with W7 and after it was restored it crashed it again.  Then it crashed my Dell.  I finally dumped W10 completely and I'm using an old Dell with Vista until I can afford a MAC.  I'm done with MS.  I hope you have better luck.

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  2. Anonymous
    2016-09-01T12:58:35+00:00

    The original topic of this thread is another issue with similar symptoms.

    Set automatic updates to "Never check for updates" and reboot. Then install KB3172605.

    Regards, VZ

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  3. Anonymous
    2016-09-01T11:40:43+00:00

    Well...I've now had two instances of the update problem fixed by "the procedure" and one that still does not work.  The 3020369 reported unnecessary.  The 3172605 appeared to install correctly.  Restarted the computer, Update reports that updates have never been done and just keeps looking...

    Here's the thing.  Brand new installation.  New SSD, scratch install from the Dell OEM Windows 7 disk.  Updates worked up through SP1, although MSIE never got beyond version 8.  I manually downloaded that and installed it OK.  I've encountered several cases of Windows 10 causing specialized programs to malfunction, so I stopped letting W10 install a couple months ago.  Now I see that Win 7 Update is buggy and not likely to be fixed.  I still have Office 2016 installs with bugs and frequent disconnects from Exchange Online--not to mention the freaking requirement to associate a purchased copy of Office 2016 with a Microsoft Live account.  Dynamics GP is the accounting system from ****.  Surface is the most overpriced tablet on the planet.  Microsoft seems to have dropped the ball on pretty much everything.

    Mac is looking better every day.

    Update.  Looking back through the update history, now the KB3172605 update does not show.  I tried to run it again, and this time it just says, "Searching for updates on this computer..." and this continues--well so far about 8 hours.  Unbelievable.  As far as Windows is concerned, this is a new computer.  No bloatware, no viruses, no users other than the initial setup and joining to the domain.  This thread has been running since 2011.

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  4. Anonymous
    2016-08-31T22:00:59+00:00

    The latest solution fixed my issue but I had an idea that I have not seen anywhere mentioned. Try uninstalling all of the Windows 7 updates that are related to the Windows 10 Upgrade. Once that is done try to update again. If it works be sure to block the Win 10 upgrade patches.

    Windows 10 upgrade patches:

    KB3035583

    KB2952664

    KB3021917

    KB2976978

    Let me know if it works.

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