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
    2016-06-06T21:06:54+00:00

    This is the option I'm using to try and solve a Win7 64 bit Home Premium edition with issues on the Windows Update.

    Using the suggestion above I select a small update and that installs (eventually) but then selecting a second update to install seems to break the whole thing.

    At the moment, I have 150 updates waiting to be installed so I don't really want to go through the above process 150 times.

    I have a few questions.

    When I installed my one update, it then wanted to 'Checking for updates..." again and this takes a very long time.

    If my updates are already in the SoftwareDistribution downloads folder, it there a way to not check for new updates - just the install the ones that are there?

    I can see 163 items in the C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download folder.

    Are these the updates ready to be installed?

    Any help appreciated.

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

    KB3083710 is irrelevant.

    Regards, VZ

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  4. 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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