Windows Update just spins and spins, seemingly without end

Hi slipfoot:

Read through the step-by-step instructions posted 16-Jun-2016 in m#l's thread *Updates not working, it has been searching for updates for hours* before trying to install the standalone update package (.msu file). These instructions are based on Dalai's workaround at http://wu.krelay.de/en/ but include additional hints to avoid problems like the one you've described. Make sure you try the following...

Hi slipfoot:

Just an FYI  that Microsoft MVP Woody Leonhard posted an entry today in his Woody on Windows InfoWorld blog titled 2 easy steps to speed up Windows 7 Update scans that also includes detailed instructions for using Dalai's workaround at http://wu.krelay.de/en/.  Woody endorses Dalai's workaround for speeding up Windows Update for both Win 7 SP1 and Vista SP2 users.

Today is Patch Tuesday for August 2016, so be sure to check Dalai's webpage tonight to see if he has revised his list of five required Windows kernel-mode driver (Win32K.sys) updates that must be pre-installed to speed up Windows Updates if any of those five updates are missing from your system.  I can't confirm yet, but preliminary information would indicate that last month's KB3168965 has been replaced by KB3177725 (MS16-098: Security Update for Windows Kernel-Mode Drivers: August 9, 2016).

32-bit Vista Home Premium SP2 * Firefox v48.0 * NIS v22.7.0.76 * MBAM Premium v2.2.1

HP Pavilion dv6835ca, Intel Core2Duo T5550 @ 1.83 GHz, 3 GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS

There's that darn echo again...

Yep, still a problem. Neither does Windows Update Standalone Installer work.

Hi slipfoot:

Read through the step-by-step instructions posted 16-Jun-2016 in m#l's thread *Updates not working, it has been searching for updates for hours* before trying to install the standalone update package (.msu file). These instructions are based on Dalai's workaround at http://wu.krelay.de/en/ but include additional hints to avoid problems like the one you've described. Make sure you try the following:

• Disable automatic Windows Updates [Windows Update | Change settings | Important updates | Never check for updates (not recommended)] and re-boot to terminate any Windows Update sessions currently running in the background on your system. (Step # 1)
• Search your installed updates to ensure the July 2016 Windows kernel-mode driver (Win32K.sys) update KB3168965 (MS16-090: Description of the security update for Windows kernel-mode drivers: July 12, 2016) recommended by Volume Z is the only Win32K.sys update listed on Dalai's webpage that is missing from your system (Step # 3)
• Temporarily disconnect from the internet before running the .msu installer (hint for Step # 5)

Also be aware that this coming Tuesday (09-Aug-2016) is the second Tuesday of the month (i.e., Patch Tuesday for August 2016).  Dalai usually updates his list of required Win32K.sys updates that must be pre-installed to speed up Windows Update on the same evening that Microsoft releases their Patch Tuesday updates.  If you try this workaround after 08-Aug-2016 you might find that July's KB3168965 has been dropped from Dalai's list and replaced with a newer Win32K.sys update.

32-bit Vista Home Premium SP2 * Firefox v48.0 * NIS v22.7.0.76 * MBAM Premium v2.2.1

HP Pavilion dv6835ca, Intel Core2Duo T5550 @ 1.83 GHz, 3 GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS

If you (a) uninstall the Norton application & reboot, (b) download/run the Norton Removal Tool & reboot again, (c) download/install Microsoft Security Essentials (free) & reboot again, (d) reset Windows Update manually per KB971058 & reboot one final time, does the behavior persist when you run a manual check for updates?

Yep, still a problem. Neither does Windows Update Standalone Installer work.