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

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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
    2016-06-07T18:18:21+00:00

    Thank you very much for your detailed post, Mr Alford.

    After three days wasted installing so many suggested kb downloads that came to nothing, I followed your post to the letter and was finally able to get updates on a fresh x64 Win7 SP1 install.

    Immense frustration over at long last!

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  2. Anonymous
    2016-06-07T17:46:49+00:00

    Thanks.  Havent tried it with out KB3083710.  Didn't want to jinx it now but if you have and it works that's one less file to worry about to fix it.  Ill try it out this weekend.

    Jess

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  3. Anonymous
    2016-06-07T11:06:34+00:00

    KB3083710 is irrelevant.

    Regards, VZ

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  4. Anonymous
    2016-06-06T23:40:02+00:00

    The link to the thread you have provided is about windows X64 update taking too long.  This thread is about windows update going out to never never land and constantly saying checking for update.  The solution to this that many have successfully used is  follow the these instructions.  I didn't come up with this solution but have found it usefull

    1. Download KB3083710 and KB3102810 for windows 7 X64 in advance.

    along with windows Update agent

    Windows Update Agent  for 64-bit

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/949104     

    1. Perform a fresh reload from Recovery Media or Windows 7/64 with SP1

         Step 3 may be optional.  Try the above files first and if not start from scratch at SP1

    1. Disconnect the computer from the Internet so Windows Update cannot automatically update itself to 7.6.7600.320.
    2. Manually install KB3083710 and restart - WU components will now be version 7.6.7601.19016 dated 9/25/2015.
    3. Manually install KB3102810 and restart - WU components will now be version 7.6.7601.19046 dated 10/20/2015.

    7)  Manually install Windows update agent.

    1. Restore the Internet connection and launch Windows Update as normal.
    2. After a few minutes, you should have plenty of updates to download and install.

    Jess

     this is the only thread talking about it.

    Are you sure?

    https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-update/windows-7-update-install-time-taking-a-very-long/f49298d1-860f-49c7-8640-960afe3e9832?page=7

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