Windows Update Doesn't Work even with the SOLUTION

Anonymous
2016-10-23T00:11:52+00:00

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

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-update/windows-7-update-solution/f39a65fa-9d10-42e7-9bc0-7f5096b36d0c

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

  1. Start Windows Update and change the Setting to Never check for updates.  Restart.  When you do leave the setting at NEVER, Windows Update will no longer be automatic.  From this point onwards, you are responsible for starting and installing updates.  We recommend you do that a few days following the 2nd Tuesday each month.
  2. The process starts by ensuring that there is nothing running that will prevent the update from working properly.  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.

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:

  1. net stop wuauserv
  2. net stop cryptSvc
  3. net stop bits
  4. net stop msiserver
  5. ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
  6. ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old
  7. net start wuauserv
  8. net start cryptSvc
  9. net start bits
  10. net start msiserver
  11. Exit

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

https://download.microsoft.com/download/C/0/8/C0823F43-BFE9-4147-9B0A-35769CBBE6B0/Windows6.1-KB3020369-x86.msu

64 bit

https://download.microsoft.com/download/5/D/0/5D0821EB-A92D-4CA2-9020-EC41D56B074F/Windows6.1-KB3020369-x64.msu

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.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Windows update

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  1. Anonymous
    2016-10-31T19:51:51+00:00

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3200747

    You'd almost swear that someone from MS has been reading these forums.

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  2. Anonymous
    2016-11-01T15:41:00+00:00

    I applied the Solution and it fixed the inability for Windows Update to download and install updates. So far all is good. I wonder how long this will last. Thanks for your help.

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  3. Anonymous
    2016-11-07T01:32:44+00:00

    Will this method work if you Changes  Settings for Windows Update  are greyed out with the message "Some settings may be managed by your system administrator+ . I rather do this than delete the Registry key.

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  4. Anonymous
    2016-11-07T01:41:30+00:00

    ElderN attention!!  Please

    Larry, ElderN is an expert in the forum who is best qualified to answer you.  Here is what he told another member who described a similar situation:

    http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows\_7-update/windows-7-update-solution/f39a65fa-9d10-42e7-9bc0-7f5096b36d0c?page=75&msgId=cca3aaae-b748-4a0d-ad2d-0da9a26aabe8

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  5. Anonymous
    2016-11-07T08:05:13+00:00

    The only way to remove those messages is to remove the policy from the registry.

    If you are squeamish about using the Registry Editor here is another way using a Command Prompt window opened as Administrator:

    Click the Start orb/button and in the box enter the following:

    cmd.exe

    Right click cmd.exe and choose to Run as Administrator:

    The command to enter is:

    reg  delete  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU

    It is "safe" even if the policy does not exist in the registry and you have not used regedit.exe to do it so there is no chance of making a mistake in regedit.exe.

    You will see:

    If you respond in the affirmative the key is removed and the problem is resolved:

    So you removed the key and fixed the problem without using regedit.

    If the key is not present there is no harm in executing the command:

    You can also copy the command to the Windows clipboard (select all the text of the command, press Ctrl-C to copy).

    reg  delete  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU

    Now that the command is on the Windows clipboard right click the title bar of the Command Prompt window, choose Edit, then paste the contents of the clipboard into the Command Prompt window:

    Now it should look like this:

    Press Enter and respond in the affirmative:

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