Following a clean install, Windows Update remains at "Checking For Updates" forever...

Hi @KenMorley and All,

http://www.pcworld.com/article/3071724/windows/giant-windows-7-roll-up-patch-takes-the-headache-out-of-updating-a-new-pc.html?token=%23tk.PCW_nlt_pcw_tech_html_2016-05-18&idg_eid=9437d650969d2240925f73b1be6eea25&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Top%20Stories%20%40PCWorld%202016-05-18&utm_term=pcw_tech_html

I've reloaded  "SNIP"

Once WU version 7.6.7600.320 is loaded, there is no easy recovery that I could find.

The following procedure was successful for me and I repeated it again just to be sure:

1. Download KB3083710 and KB3102810 in advance.
2. Disconnect the computer from the Internet so Windows Update cannot automatically update itself to 7.6.7600.320.
3. Perform a fresh reload from Recovery Media or Windows 7/64 with SP1 RTM.
4. Manually install KB3083710 and restart - WU components will now be version 7.6.7601.19016 dated 9/25/2015.
5. Manually install KB3102810 and restart - WU components will now be version 7.6.7601.19046 dated 10/20/2015.
6. Restore the Internet connection and launch Windows Update as normal.
7. After a few minutes, you should have plenty of updates to download and install.

I am not sure that both steps 4 and 5 are required, but I didn't want to mess with success.  I hope this saves someone else some time and effort.

Ken Morley

I dont know if this means anything, but to get it to work for me i did this.

I downloaded those 2 files...

KB3083710 & KB3102810

When i first clicked on the KB3083710 it just hanged and scanned my PC, so i thought hmm, tried to cancel it but it just sat there paused for about 5 mins. then i thought i would reboot, but before i did a reboot i did the following;

CONTROL PANEL -> WINDOWS UPDATE -> CHANGE SETTINGS -> Never check for updates (not recommended) -> OK

I rebooted the system, went into my download history in chrome and then i saw the actual names of the files that i downloaded;

Windows6.1-KB3083710-x86.msu

Windows6.1-KB3102810-x64.msu

Then i was like hmm, 32bit & 64bit, i said well ill click on the KB3102810 this time, since my OS is 64bit, it installed itself in like 3 secs, after the install i went to install the other one KB3083710, but when i tried to install it, it said something like, this file isnt for your system.

I then went hmm ok, i then went to CONTROL PANEL -> WINDOWS UPDATE -> CHECK FOR UPDATES

I waited for about 2 to 3 mins of it scanning my PC then BANG 222 updates to install. 211 updates & 11 Other updates. NOW ITS UPDATING & Installing PROPERLY

Thanks for your help Ken Morley, but as you mentioned in your post that you disconnected the internet, i think if you just disable the automatic updates this is all you will probably need to do.

Also to note that my Fresh Windows OS has been installed and running for 3 days, installing other software, drivers etc... also i have been gaming on it to, so i dont think you really need to do step 1 to 3 exactly.

Then i was curious about that 7.6.7600.320 being in my install list of updates and it was GONE, GONE, GONE.

M$ just released this

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

You can download these updates in advance to a flash drive

1. manually install KB3020369

32 bit

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=46827

64 bit

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=46817

2. manually install KB3125574 you must use ie11 or internet explorer in general seeing people would be using ie8 on a clean install to download this update from the catalog

On the top right use the search for KB3125574

http://catalog.update.microsoft.com/v7/site/Install.aspx?q=KB3125574&referringpage=Search.aspx

Then you can just deal with ie11 updates

Prerequisite updates for Internet Explorer 11

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2847882

SNIP:  but as you mentioned in your post that you disconnected the internet, i think if you just disable the automatic updates this is all you will probably need to do.

Combat Killer:

You might be right, but remember that the update you are trying to prevent is not one of the updates you actually see in Windows Update.  It's the automatic update of WU of itself that happens in the background without any action by or notice to the user.  While disabling automatic updates will prevent installation of regular updates (those that are visible and usually associated with a KB number), I wouldn't guarantee that it will prevent Windows Update from updating itself - and that is the goal.

There are certainly plenty of other workarounds for temporarily disabling Windows Update during the process.  You could, as examples, disconnect power to your router, give your PC a different IP address or maybe even disable the WU service.  The method used is not as important as the concept:  you must prevent WU from automatically updating itself in the background.  I used the pull-the-plug method because it was both simple and incredibly effective.

Cheers!

Ken Morley

To prevent 7.6.7600.320 you just need to select "Ask me later" at "Set up Windows".

http://pad1.whstatic.com/images/thumb/3/3d/Install-Windows-7-(Beginners)-Step-54.jpg/aid1733421-728px-Install-Windows-7-(Beginners)-Step-54.jpg

Regards, VZ