Windows 7 update not working

I MUST Tell My Experience.  I had followed all the "hoop-ala" about changing the Update settings from "Automatic" to any of the other alternatives, e.g., "... download and let me choose..", and ".....check for updates and I'll pick the updates I want installed".  Windows will only update your computer if it's set to "Automatic"  -  (recommended).

My guess being, it's imperative to make the changes listed below Before you attempt updating your operating system (those wishing to "battle" to keep the OS they have).

After reading everything I could get my hands on since the 2nd Tuesday of April (when I Determined, with an Expert's Advice (NO!  He Did Not Work For Microsoft nor would he be considered an, "Insider" (a description if aimed towards him would Anger him enough, He'd Fight! having his name being "slurred" that he has any ties to Microsoft.

First:  Microsoft had the 'tactics' they've used to force the 'weak' into submitting by purchasing Microsoft.  He was aware of Microsofts "plan" prior to January, 2014.

Second:  Once discovered, the first thing he recommended was entering REGISTRY and making "Block GWX" corrections" firmly in place.  Not only in HKLM but also some changes in the "USER" sections of Registry.

Third:  Eliminate ALL files (mostly the numerous "KB" updates containing the Windows 10 files Microsoft has downloaded along with our monthly, 2nd Tuesday of month, back until ~early 2014 - which he made clear to me, he wasn't accurate as to "exactly" when Microsoft launched sending the Windows 10 material as he didn't follow their scheme very closely.

Fourth:  Though someone might be able to make it to the Registry and keep additional files from being loaded; it was imperative to clean up the "residue" files left behind.  He laughed at what he had said; but added, ".... only if they want their performance back."  I noticed his voice change (to deadly serious).  He said, "...... get rid of all-of-it !"  Then he smiled, and said, "get rid of ALL Microsoft will allow you to!"  Trying to guess exactly what he meant by that statement, this is MY INTERPRETATION:  Microsoft really can do whatever they want.  Take this 'thing' as far as it wants to go (messing with individual's computers to having them all run Windows 10 or their customers have no alternative Windows Operating system at all).  My "source" works for the Department of Defense ........... oh! and they don't use Microsoft products.   Kindest Regards, wfejnieh

i have the same issue. I have tryed all the fixess, repairs ect, and my copy of windows is genuine. ave installed the recommended software and fixes but it still wont update a thing .

G O T   I T   W O R K I N G

                                                 eventually

Tried many many times with two installation CDs of Win 7 Pro, one with SP1 and one without SP1.

Both installed without any problems (a number of times), automatically it did SP1 update with the non-SP1 version, both did essential updates, presumably to do with SP1; and then gave up completely on doing updates and couldn't activate link to include other Microsoft products.  Before or after installing Office.

I concluded that there was something in Win 7 SP1 or with associated updates that screwed up the linkage between my PC and M/S updates, there wasn't a problem before SP1, so . . . .

Did a fresh install of Win 7 Pro, this one without SP1, on freshly formatted hard drive.  Once installed, interrupted the automatic update process and changed the Settings to include other M/S products.  This changed setting was accepted perfectly normally.  Then continued with the essential updating  process.  All went well up to and including SP1, but afterwards the seaching for updates just hung on for ever, like before.

In searching the web for an answer discovered that Microsoft maintain a 'Windows Update Catalog' database where it stores every system update.

My conclusion was that one of the SP1 updates has knocked out of my PC's Win 7 system the location of this database.  So tried to download some of these updates manually.

I created a folder called Updates, in My Documents but would have been better as c:\Updates, and then accessed the catalog,  This is only possible with Internet Explorer 6 or later. using its inbuilt search.  In the database is a clever search facility into which was keyed 'Winows 7 critical', which came up with hundreds of them.  Ignoring the 64 bit, downloaded about 30 to my PC, and disconnected from the database website.  Double clicked on one of them and it responded, eventually leaving an auto-update process seemingly looking for more updates.

Thinking this was another dead end, stopped the process and did a Shutdown.

Magically the update process came to life and installed about 20 updates.

On powering back up the update process decided it didn't like having its backside kicked and remembered where to find the Updates and all works well.

Installed Office and all working beautifully, just wish there was room for bigger memory.

This is absolutely absurd!

Microsoft is playing this game with everyone to try to force us all to Windows 10 because they don't want to deal with Windows 7 anymore.

It doesn't matter what they tell you because this is what they've decided behind closed doors. They don't care about the end-user but only about the next biggest trend. This is why they constantly buck consumer concern and leave us flailing in the wind without real solutions nor real answers.

They don't want to make Windows Update work seamlessly for all us Windows 7 customers because if they did that it would under-cut their desire for us to eventually be Windows 10 users.

You see, if all of a sudden Microsoft started implementing quality renditions and online maintenance of the Windows Update module for Win 7 machines (without all the spyware and Win10 nagware), then they know that those users will feel like there really is no reason to upgrade to Windows 10 ever-------which is precisely what they don't want to happen.

Just like the elite bankers are stripping us citizens of our hard-earned money, so too is Microsoft stripping away our (P)ersonal (C)omputer experience.

What's the point of calling it a PC, if you're just going to take that away from us by making it difficult for us to customize to our liking----thus removing our right to consumer choice?!

I know that Google is rightfully under much scrutiny for their Anti-Trust and Privacy violating practices right now but someone also really needs to turn the heat back up on Microsoft's too.

This impropriety and forced digital environment garbage being perpetuated by Microsoft is beyond annoying and unethical-------it is absolutely despicable!