Windows Update hangs on "checking for updates". Haven't been able to install updates since Oct. 2011

Anonymous
2012-01-13T20:52:46+00:00

Hey there everyone,

I'm having an issue with Windows Update on my Windows 7 64-bit computer. My last most recent update check was on 10/3/2011 and my last actual update was on 9/29/2011. What is basically happening is that Windows is telling me that I need to check for updates. I click on Check for updates, and it basically acts like it is checking for updates, but never moves beyond that. I can leave it checking for hours, and nothing will happen. It won't get me to the screen where I can actually select updates, nor does Windows even acknowledge that I checked for updates.

I've already tried using the Windows Update Fix tool, but there was no success with that at all. I thought that maybe it was my firewall or internet settings, and it's not that either. Does anyone have any suggestions. Thanks!

Peter

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
2012-02-13T16:39:04+00:00

Hi,

Try the following methods

Method 1:

1. Click Start

2. Type ‘cmd’ in the search bar.

3. Right click Command prompt and choose “Run as Administrator”

4. At the command prompt, type the following, commands and then press ENTER after each command:

a. net stop wuauserv

b. net stop bits

c. net stop cryptsvc

Please do not close the Command Prompt window.

Method 2: ****Rename folders pertaining to Windows Update.

At the command prompt, type the following commands, and then press Enter after each command:

a) ren %systemroot%\System32\Catroot2 Catroot2.old

b) ren %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old

At the command prompt, type the following, commands and then press ENTER after each command:

a) net start wuauserv

b) net start bits

c) net start cryptsvc

Close the Command Prompt window and check the issue if issue reoccurs

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  1. Anonymous
    2016-05-12T21:40:52+00:00

    @JMarshall only! =>

    Last time I reloaded sp1 was about two weeks ago...

    Answer-by-number:

    1. Did the computer-in-question come with Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1) preinstalled or...?
    2. Is it a Dell computer, an HP computer, a Sony computer, a Toshiba computer, or...?
    3. What problems were you having that you thought "reloading sp1" again might resolve?
    4. Did you "reload sp1" or do a clean install of Windows 7?
    5. Has Windows 10 ever been installed on the computer-in-question?
    6. Are you running IE8, IE9, IE10 or IE11 now?
    7. Is it the same computer - not necessarily the same problem or IE version - as in this previous thread of yours?

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  2. Anonymous
    2016-05-12T13:03:07+00:00

    Last time I reloaded sp1 was about two weeks ago.  The link you gave is for ie9 not completing installation.  Never had a problem with ie9.  Just the windows checking for updates.  I have been able to recover by installing the files mentioned in the threads.  The issue appears to be with the windows updater.  Versions OF WINDOWS 7 PRIOR TO sp1 do not have the issue which appears at SP-1.  The link you have supplied seems to have no information for the Windows 7 update issue.

    Thanks

    jess

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  3. Anonymous
    2016-05-12T04:34:11+00:00

    Very related:

    http://www.computerworld.com/article/3067268/windows-pcs/the-shame-of-windows-update.html

    Discusses the slowness of Windows 7 updates and has 4 KB downloads to apply.

    It does not also suggest clearing out the "C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution" folder, but I think that is often also required.

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  4. Anonymous
    2016-05-12T00:05:57+00:00

    He's talking about the ongoing issue with update agent 7.6.7600.320 that Windows 7 SP1 installs automatically. One would think you've learned something from this discussion:

    http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-update/windows-update-agent-767600320-destroys-windows/c870d7f0-9685-4847-b623-e11239ba80ea

    Regards, VZ

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