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
    2016-06-23T18:21:47+00:00

    Volume Z, you saved this old, old, retired, industrial and academic R&D researcher/programmer/sysadmin's sanity. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

    With those two patches applied, Micro$oft Windoze 7 finally _ FINALLY _ got to the actual download stage rather then whiling away eternity "Checking for updates...". It's now in the process of installing 211 updates for a newly restored Windoze 7 Home Edition box that had been made into a handsome door stop by a health care worker who actually acquiesced and clicked on the button labeled "OKAY! That sounds great! Yes, please do upgrade my box to Windoze 10!". After that, all that would come up on boot was the troubleshooting screen, on which the only selection that would work at all was the button labeled "Turn off the PC". That one worked like a charm. If only the other options worked as well.

    Lookie: I started with computers back in the early 70s and so have worked on everything from International Big Mutha to DEC VAX VMS and RSX-11M and RT-11, to Solaris (very nearly as infuriating as Micro$oft Windoze) and every release of Windoze and the very first, floppy based distro of GNU/Linux up to the present distros. Without exception, updating Micro$oft Windoze is the most infuriating, failure prone, glacial process I've ever experienced on any OS. When updating Micro$oft Windoze, I always wish that I were being paid by the hour.

    So, Mr/Ms Volume Z, thanks about 10^9.  If you ever make it to Newfoundland and Labrador, look me up; my wife and I will buy you a beer _ me for saving my sanity, her for not having to repair any holes in the wall.

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  2. 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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  4. 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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