I am not a PC expert, but I (FINALLY) know what caused this problem and how to solve it !! But first note that this is the solution for my WINDOWS 7, 64 bit Home Premium right after a clean install. I don't know if this scheme will work for 32 bit systems or other Win 7s, but mayhap with minor alterations and some searches...??
The part of Windows 7 that searches for updates would normally take 24 to 48 hours to finish its search. You can tell you have this problem, whilst you wait for the updater to search, by CTRL-ALT-DEL, start Task Manager, then look at PROCESSES TAB, then click: Show Processes From All Users. Look down the list until you find a SVCHOST.EXE being run by SYSTEM that is using 50% or more CPU and a huge chunk (73%) of memory. So, go to Windows Update in Control Panel and tell it to never look for updates. Then back to Task Manager and KILL the big fat 50% process you just found.
MS has produced a fix (2 KB patches) that you cannot ordinarily get to without an update. There is a way to download those 2 KB files, but then...
You cannot ordinarily install them without using WUSA (the Windows Update Stand-Alone installer). And if you try to use it to install the fixes, WUSA will first begin another 48 hour search for updates before installing anything. This is a circular trap !
Go to the following link to download Windows6.1-KB3102810-x64.msu
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=49540
Use the SAVE option, DO NOT RUN IT!
Go to the following link to download Windows6.1-KB3112343-x64.msu
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=50023
Use the SAVE option, DO NOT RUN IT!
Look for these two files in your DOWNLOADS folder. Copy them to your DESKTOP.
Now to install them, you must use the StandAlone installer, WUSA, BUTyou must FORCE IT to simply do it without searching forever. Here is how:
First, copy the following line exactly and completely:
"C:\Users*Edmund*\Desktop\windows6.1-kb3102810-x64.msu" /wuforce
Click the Start Globe;
Click in the Search Programs And Files box;
Type: RUN
(make sure you are running as Administrator)
Click on the RUN at the top, then Right Click on it, and select PASTE;
Change the Edmund to whatever your USER name is;
Hit ENTER and let it roll. After the install is done, then...
Copy the following line exactly:
"C:\Users*Edmund*\Desktop\windows6.1-kb3112343-x64.msu" /wuforce
Click the Start Globe;
Click in the Search Programs And Files box;
Type: RUN
(make sure you are running as Administrator)
Click on the RUN at the top, then Right Click on it, and select PASTE;
Change the Edmund to whatever your USER name is;
Hit ENTER and let it roll again. After that install is done, RESTART your computer.
You should now be able to setup the UPDATEs in Control Panel and Search For Updates. Within about 10 minutes or less, you should have a huge list of KBs to download and install.