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
    2016-07-25T14:01:53+00:00

    Not completely. A new version of the Windows update client has been issued in June.

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3161647

    Regards, VZ

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  2. Anonymous
    2016-07-25T12:05:17+00:00

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  3. Anonymous
    2016-07-25T11:52:51+00:00

    I feel the same way.  I also want to upgrade from Windows 7 to 10.  Bearing mind how much money Microsoft makes it beggars belief that they have just left the problem to be resolved on their community forum.

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  4. Anonymous
    2016-07-25T08:41:44+00:00

    (Windows 7 Professional 64bit, with OEM install media)

    Maybe this do the trick. This worked for me.

    1. Download Windows updates manually from the internet to flashdisk (USB)

                  - windows6.1-KB976932-X64

                  - windows6.1-KB3083710-X64

                  - windows6.1-KB3102810-X64

    1. Perform clean install with Windows 7 install media and when it's asking for checking the Windows updates, choose option that you are going to check them.
    2. When installed, plug-off internet connection from your computer and install manually downloaded updates in the order that I have put them (1.)Remember restart computer on every installed update.
    3. Plug internet connection back on and then check for updates.

    Now it should find bunch of updates within a day, but do not install all over 200 updates at once. Windows updates fail pretty often if you install all updates at once.

    I choosed updates in the order of from the smallest to biggest and splitted the updates around to 5 periods. 

    When you have updated your computer, you can change Windows to check for updates automaticly.

    Sorry about my English.

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