Windows 7 update not working

For those of you having trouble getting Windows 7 "Windows Updates" to work,  do what I did and download the offline updater from "Windows Server Update Services Offline" aka wsusoffline dot net.  It is a 100% legitimate updater, designed to update your computer, without using Window's own updater (or having to connect with it).

I had the same problem yesterday when I reformatted my computer and there was no excuse for it. Never had this issue in the past. Very frustrating to say the least, as I need my machined updated, in order to run certain applications.

The way the wsus application works, is that it detects your machine and grabs all the necessary operating system updates (you'll be given the option on what type of updates you want to download) for your Windows 7 computer, straight from the Microsoft servers.  So these are real Microsoft updates you're getting.  It's just bypassing the Windows Update app that isn't working.

Once it downloads and installs all the updates, (you can select the option for it to restart itself after each update is installed, so you don't have to sit there, waiting do it yourself),  you may find the actual Windows Update application, is functional again.   It was a surprise for me to see the notification icon appear with around 80 additional updates, ready to install on my machine.  So it may be that the offline updater, can fix your Windows Update problems, after patching up a few files.

Right now, my newest updates, are now being downloaded and installed through the Windows Update application, that previously had issues with.  All good now.

But what a frustrating experience it was, just trying to figure out how to get around this. Shame on Microsoft.

I can't help but wonder, if they purposely do stuff like this, in order to push us into buying Windows 10...

I am not ready to make that change yet and I'm quite happy with 7 at this time.

Anyways, I hope my suggestion helps you all.  Really look into it. It's a simple application. No viruses or malware. Just a straight forward updater.  Google it, if you're on the fence and watch the video tutorials on youtube. Plenty to help you know just how to get it to work.

Goodluck everyone!

PS: The WSUS updater, does not install peripheral updates, such as printers, scanners, video cards, sound cards, etc. Just a friendly FYI.

After reading about the problems users had with Windows Update on Win 7 and also experiencing this myself, I feel the need to say my opinion on this subject: There is nothing wrong with your computers ! The problem lies with Microsoft. After I installed Win 7 on 3 separate computers and had the exact same problem with Windows Update i realized that the issue was not on my side... I even called Microsoft 2 times about this. The first time a Tech had a remote session with my computer and tried the same  workarounds that was suggested on different forums. This did of course solve nothing at all, it was just a total waste of time. The second time I called, the Support Tech insisted on doing exactly the same thing once again, which I of course refused. I told the person in pretty clear words that I suspected that it was a MS issue. After this I decided to install Win 7 on a computer and just leave it on to see how long it takes to get updates  (if any) I checked it about 36 hours later there were several updates available. So my conclusion is that either this takes quite a long time or the problem was fixed by Microsoft (without telling anyone about it...) Anyway the fix seems to be being patient... Now I'm just annoyed thinking about how much time I wasted on this.

thanks for the reply and I was very unhappy with windows 10 which was why I had to reinstall 7 to my computer.  if you are one like me that uses the HOMEGROUP its not working on windows 10.

so you just left the computer searching for the updates for 3 days?  I can do that I just wanted to make sure that's what you did.