SOLVED:
Windows 7 SP1 64
Extremely frustrated all day yesterday trying every solution posted on the Internet. Then this morning I found this comment on Softpedia's website and it
absolutely works (very easy - but why should we have to do this?):
To resolve this issue: first install KB3145739 manually. Go to Microsoft website to download and then install.
Next you should restart and finally you can check for updates in manual mode.
It takes between 5 or 10 minutes.
Comment posted by: Chooky 14 Apr 2016 13:00 CMT
http://news.softpedia.com/news/windows-update-hanging-when-downloading-april-12-patches-502886.shtml
P.S. I joined the Microsoft community today specifically to post this solution. Hopefully it will help some people avoid hours or days of frustration or drastic, complicated but unnecessary troubleshooting steps.
Hi, Joel -- I don't mean to seem doubting.....but at this point, I'm skittish about anything I try with this thing! I looked at the page for KB3145739 and I see no mention of it fixing Windows Update and the issues we've been having. I want to be sure
I'm looking at the right one and haven't gotten my numbers mixed around before I do anything. The only thing I've done so far is take WU off of automatic checking and have been checking manually. Nothing after 40 minutes -- nothing comes in, no error message
-- and I'm reluctant to leave the computer up and running all night, as has been suggested. So, good sir, am I looking at the right update to fix the Windows Update Hanging/High CPU issue? And thank you!