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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237 additional answers

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  1. Anonymous
    2016-05-11T23:34:21+00:00

    My experience is that it starts after SP-1 is loaded...

    cf. http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/ie/forum/ie9-windows_7/ie9-does-not-complete-installation-setup-exit-code/4abe4f30-7b63-e011-8dfc-68b599b31bf5

    When (exact date, preferably) was the last time you "loaded" (installed) SP1?

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  2. Anonymous
    2016-05-11T22:22:53+00:00

    For everyone who is having this problem.  My experience is that it starts after SP-1 is loaded.  This is really strange and as long as its been going on seems more like something intentionally done.  The average person is going to give up and either leave it as is or upgrade to windows 10.  Something Microsoft wants all windows 7 users to do.   I wouldn't normally think this but I for one have yet to hear Microsoft respond to this problem.  I have installed windows 7 both as a SP1 and from my original windows disk.   Either way as soon as sp1 is installed upgrades stop.

    Jess

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  3. Anonymous
    2016-05-11T21:47:22+00:00

    The 2 Methods and adding CPIEnable did not work. I also shutdown norton antivirus and reinstalled silverlight to no avail. But when I enable the RPC Locator in services and started it then it worked. Method 999 that works all the time is go cut hair off of Sasquatches head, sprinkle it on the computer and wallah - all problems solved. Anybody who has done this never had a computer problem again.

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  4. Anonymous
    2016-05-11T21:39:16+00:00

    Being admin is not enough. You must go to accessories and right click command then select run as administrator

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