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

2016-08-26T12:53:56+00:00

I am hoping some good guru will confirm whether it is still necessary as first step to delete or rename "Software Distribution" folder

It has no relevance in solving the ongoing general update issue. :/
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Anonymous

2016-08-26T23:16:38+00:00

@ColleenG36092...

To avoid confusion & duplication of effort, please post any/all further follow-up in replies to your original thread => http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-update/windows-7-pro-64-bit-update-hangs/bb7ae924-69c6-4882-a641-e48f1878a4a3
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Anonymous

2016-09-09T05:02:39+00:00

I had 6 Windows 7 64 bit laptops that were stuck "Searching for updates" after a clean install of the OS. All of them had a successful license activation. This solution ( and I tried many) worked. Within 15 minutes after the final reboot I was downloading between 169 and 181 updates with each machine reporting in the 60's for optional updates. I have to agree with other posters that M$ needs to have a easy to find solution to this 'required' update problem. And M$ wonders why people are installing updates in a fractured manner.
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Anonymous

2016-09-17T17:22:46+00:00

Thank to you and all the other clever people who helped me get out of the hole that was Updating a new, clean Windows 7, 32 bit. After what seems hours (and was!) the laptop is installing update 231 out of 285! Previous experience tells me that there will probably be a second phase; but we'll leave that until we get there. Bravo!
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