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.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
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

Was this answer helpful?

700+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

237 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2016-06-01T18:49:07+00:00

    I have done everything of this forum to try and get windows to update on my Windows 7 Professional 64-bit Dell Latitude laptop.

    I've tried the "2 Method" approach and thought it worked for a second but alas it didn't. I've tried uninstalling security essentials. I've used Microsoft Fix It that didn't work. I even tried to upgrade to Windows 10 to see if that would help but it wants updates first. Ugh this is so frustrating. Oh and wuauserv is using up to 100% of my cpu.

    Has anyone been able to fix this?

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2016-05-31T23:22:01+00:00

    It takes two additional ones to fix it. KB3145739 (part of patch day April) and KB3153199 (part of patch day May). Download links and info provided here:

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

    Expect this premise to change as soon as patch day June. Wu.krelay.de will keep you up to date.

    Regards, VZ

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2016-05-31T22:50:00+00:00

    Convenience update doesn't solve the looking for update issues for 64bit systems.  Just a waste of time if

    you expect it to resolve that problem on 64bit Windows 7.  (all versions)

    Jess

    Cite:

    • Simplifying updates for Windows 7... [1]

    <QP>

    ...we’re making available a new convenience rollup for Windows 7 SP1 [which] contains all the security and non-security fixes released since the release of Windows 7 SP1 that are suitable for general distribution, up through April 2016.

    Install this one update, and then you only need new updates released after April 2016.

    </QP>https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/windowsitpro/2016/05/17/simplifying-updates-for-windows-7-and-8-1/

    • Convenience rollup update for Windows 7 SP1...

    <QP>

    This rollup package includes almost all the updates that were released after the release of SP1 for Windows 7...through April 2016.

    </QP>

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3125574

    ================================================

    [1] AKA "How to get a Win7 SP1 computer fully-patched after doing a

    post-Win10 upgrade recovery without putting additional strain on the update

    servers or your data limits"

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2016-05-31T22:45:29+00:00

    More info on the convience update.  IT DOESNT fix the update issue.  I tried it on X86 and 64 versions.

    As always the X86 upgrades fine but the 64bit still sets there and does nothing when check for updates.  Stick with the previous suggestions using the 3 files suggested.  They work flawlessly.  No idea why Microsoft refuses to address this.

    Not everyone wants to or can go to windows 10.

    Jess

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments