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

Anonymous

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

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Anonymous

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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237 additional answers

Anonymous

2015-08-24T16:46:04+00:00

I know this is a LONG time ago, but this does not work for me. Recently reinstalled windows 7 and this problem happens after SP1.

The main problem I have is that when I type in the first 2 commands from method 2, the cmd promt ouputs "Access Denied".

Any help?

P.S. This on of many times I've installed win7, but only the first this problem has happened to me!!!

I got this too, and in the end manually renamed the folder in question via windows explorer.

I'm still having other problems but I got past that at least!
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Anonymous

2015-08-23T10:16:49+00:00

I know this is a LONG time ago, but this does not work for me. Recently reinstalled windows 7 and this problem happens after SP1.

The main problem I have is that when I type in the first 2 commands from method 2, the cmd promt ouputs "Access Denied".

Any help?

P.S. This on of many times I've installed win7, but only the first this problem has happened to me!!!
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Anonymous

2015-08-15T13:16:26+00:00

Thank you very much. I just fresh installed windows 7 to upgrade for the free windows 10 key (and do a fresh install)

My issue was windows update was hanging on checking for updates. While this was happening there was little to no data received when network activity was monitored using the network adaptor properties. I tried your solution (after various seemingly more involved solutions). It worked great; no errors and started working immediately upon completion.
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Anonymous

2015-08-14T17:00:27+00:00

Pre-installed Windows anti-virus software will not allow itself to be disabled. Now what?
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