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

2016-06-22T16:43:58+00:00

Wait, wait, wait. The situation has improved significantly as of today. A new update client addressing all known issues has been released. It is part of the June 2016 update rollup for Windows 7 SP1 and Windows Server 2008 R2. This rollup's prerequisite is the April 2015 servicing stack update for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 (if you know what I mean :D)

To be able to install these updates on a fresh installation with a search already running, the search needs to be stopped manually. Set automatic updates to "Never check for updates" and restart.

Regards, VZ
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Anonymous

2016-06-22T16:50:03+00:00

KB3145739 may not be enough. Solving the issue also takes KB3161664, KB3109094, KB3087039 and KB3078601. Plus maybe a recent update client like KB3138612. Download links provided here:

http://wu.krelay.de/en/

Regards, VZ

don't know about all those files as the following have always seemed to resolve the issue on my computers. Just get the correct version x86 or X64 for your system.

KB2533552

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=9225

KB3102810

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=49540

and finally WindowsUpdateAgent-7.6

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/949104

Jess
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Anonymous

2016-06-22T16:54:49+00:00

Perfect, only a few hours too late! Might I suggest to anyone DO NOT get advice from Microsoft. Error 80070490 says to try the Update Readiness Tool first and then to run and upgrade from the Windows 7 CD/DVD...DO NOT DO THIS unless you have an image you can resort back to. My computer is presently stuck at 40% on the transferring files, settings, and programs option and have been on file 201029 of 916931 transferred for over an hour now. GREAT JOB MICROSOFT! Seriously considering moving to APPLE and thankful I do have a recent image of this PC so I can waste more time restoring that.
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