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
    2016-07-25T02:20:07+00:00

    It is typical MS, unfortunately. Only the nerds know how to solve the mess, but I am not a nerd ;-) just a very unhappy Windows user. During the past 3 decades I went through ALL versions of Windows, and found the best was XP, simple, I could access everything and fix it... Now MS wants total control over everything and more data...

    The way MS handles this "upgrade" is unacceptable, and I will officially complain to the EU Commission and ask to reprimand this company for neglect. Let us see if this will help!

    After all, after the 29th of July 2016, MS wants to charge for Win10. So if a free upgrade is not possible, because of MSs fault, there is room for legal action.

    So far, thanks, but no thanks!

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  2. Anonymous
    2016-07-24T19:14:01+00:00

    And why not edit it.   I changed a 2 to a 1 because it was confusing anyone who replied to it.  You don't knowingly leave incorrect information posted .  Enough confusing information posted by Microsoft.   We don't need to ad t it

    Jess

    Vista?????   Who is talking about Vista.   My statement was in reference to windows 7.  I made a mistake and said sp2.   will correct that.

    Jess

    ...it can be readily duplicated after an upgrade to service pack 2 or from a fresh install of service pack 2.  It happens shortly after SP2.  I still say its microsofts way of forcing users into Windows 10...

    This four-plus year old thread concerned Windows 7. You will find support for Windows Vista in these forums => http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_vista

    Vista???????

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  3. Anonymous
    2016-07-24T18:10:56+00:00

    Please don't edit a post of yours after someone's replied to it or to a later post in the thread. Thank you.

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