KB3020369 isn't enough. You need KB3172605.
Regards, VZ
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FIRST. If Windows Update is not working or taking far too long (more than 15 to 30 minutes) try the Solution described in the thread at
If after trying this the problem persists, then follow these directions to first reset Windows Update.
This is a bit technical, but if you can follow it, I think it will work for you. I work on a lot of computers and this works for me.
I emphasize that for this to work, you must follow exactlyas this describes.
There are two main types of Windows 7 installations: 32 bit or 64 bit. You need to know what is installed in your computer. Click the Start globe, type system in the box. Choose System information in the list. The techie shorthand for 32 bit is x86 and for 64 bit is x64
Now, you are going to reset Windows Update components:
Start, All Programs, Accessories, Right-click on Command prompt, Choose Run as administrator, OK. Type the following in the black box:
Tip: Instead of typing each line, you can select the text in each line in the list by high-lighting it, right-click, choose Copy from the pop-up menu. In the black window, Right-click anywhere, choose Paste from the pop-up menu, Enter.
If steps 5 or 6 do not allow the operation, go back and click on the Start globe and type services into the text box. Click on Services in the list that pops up. In the window that then pops up (its alphabetic), find Windows Update. Right-click on it (left-click if your mouse is set for left-handers) and choose Stop. It may have re-started itself.
If steps 5 and 6 report that the file already exists, then substitute SoftwareDistribution.old2 for SoftwareDistribution.old, and catroot2 catroot2.old2 for catroot2 catroot2.old
This procedure will erase the list you would see in "View Update history" that you access in the Windows Update window. It will NOT erase the "View Installed Updates" you access through the Control Panel.
You are now going to download and install either one or two updates manually. In most cases only the first (KB3172605) of these is needed. If that produces a result that says the update is not appropriate for you computer, you need to first install the 2nd of these (KB3020369), then install the first (KB3172605). Choose the one that is for your machine — 32 bit (X86) or 64 bit (X64).
KB3138612 :
32 bit
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=51208
64 bit
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=51212
KB3020369:
32 bit
64 bit
After restarting your computer, wait about 10 minutes until Windows Update completes its tasks. Do not use the computer for any other purpose during this wait period.
Start Windows Update. It will take only a few minutes to come up with a list and download the updates you select. The process is quite normal as it always was from this point onward.
If your computer has not been updated for a long time, it may take longer.
Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.
KB3020369 isn't enough. You need KB3172605.
Regards, VZ
Please, firstly I'm no expert. But my computer started to fail a couple of weeks ago. I backed up everything, again, since I always do and from my originally created Packard Bell restore discs, did a CLEAN install.
Here I am like you. Stuck. I've managed to install KB3020369 & 7.6.7600.320 Update agent. The restore discs did put on the original configuration so there are some KBs from 2012. So will reinstallation solve this issue?
The System shows me I have SP1
I really don't know whether I'm suffering the same problem as everyone or I have corrupt discs :(
Same problem being the constant searching for updates & getting no where, despite running with no other programmes over 6-8 hours. Although with the help of this forum did manage KB3020369
I have to say, once my machine get to about 4 years old (purchased Jan 2013) I know they are on their last legs and I have purchased another. So I'm trying to save the old one for the Grand children when they visit to keep them off mine!
I got rather over familiar with messing with the Update configuration, trying to stop the damned Win10 from installing automatically and put some of my issues of failure of the machine down to that, resulting to turning off the machine in order to stop it, on occasions.
Microsoft YOU OWE ME :(
The only thing I can think of is the possibility that you are using the wrong version -- 32 vs 64 bit?
Thank you for reminding me that we are no in the days of Window 98. I was simply pointing to the fact that when one backed up the registry in windows 98 the entire registry was backed up by default ; in Windows XP only one Key was backed up by default also that in Windows 98 and Windows searched for any good copy it could find if the original was bad.
I would rather use the command line but being unsure of what might happen should hte command line execute incomplete by some fluke I will edit the registry. I am assuming that I should do steps 1-12 after deleting the AU or does it matter.
You might also want to follow my discussion concerning the forced windows 10 upgrade at
We are not in the days of Windows 98.
If you backup your registry to the desktop, make registry adjustments and then your system does not boot how are you going to restore the registry from your desktop to get your system running again? If you can describe how to do that I might change my copy/paste instruction ideas to include that method.
My experience has been that some folks are just really afraid of entering regedit.exe in the Run box... They are more receptive to command line of even a supplied import file (which I could also create) - anything to keep from entering regedit.exe into the run box!
It doesn't matter how you decide to remove the AU key from the registry - that is the only thing that will make the informative messages about "...managed by your system administrator" go away.
I don't know of any problems since September 11 but steps 1-12 are a pretty reliable way to sort of "reset" an afflicted WU when other methods fail.
I think you can skip step 11.