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
    2015-11-16T20:26:44+00:00

    Microsoft products made Bill Gates the richest man in the world and have kept me in work for 25+ years............................

    Google has better answers to microsoft problems than technet.

    Microsoft search answers questions that are not asked

    but hey

    Windows 10 is brilliant, just like Win95, etc...

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-11-10T11:02:57+00:00

    How happy are you to working for a billion dollar company that gives no f***. Seriously i am a technician for more than 10 years always facing problems regarding MS programs. Especially windows. Never ever this site answered any problem. Never and i mean seriously stop not doing your job. So don't wonder that more and more people buy apple products. Yes we will pay a little bit more but everything will be working regardless of the pimping apple does not allowing us to use another person's device (sign in to do anything even going to the bathroom, no password = your device is useless).

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-11-10T09:42:31+00:00

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  4. Anonymous
    2015-10-23T21:31:42+00:00

    Download internet explorer 11, don't install it yet.

    Click start, in the search box, type internet options.

    you should see some tabs at the top General,security,privacy,ect..., Advanced

    click the advanced tab, at the bottom it will say reset...

    click that button, and make sure everything is selected in the new window that opens.

    make sure all programs/web browsers are closed.

    This will reset all of the internet explorer / network settings to default.

    Even a windows 7 ultimate Service pack 1 dvd from a store can have updated/bad preloaded default settings/glitches, which can be fixed too with this reset button.

    once you reset your internet options to default.

    You may now double click to install internet explorer 11

    This will install a Language pack, and update some networking options.

    This sometimes may fix windows update, not sure why .

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