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
    2018-04-10T18:38:25+00:00

    this worked for me and I'm a computer idiot I opened the resource monrter and opened the tab listed cpu

    then expanded services and processes to watch usage then I started windows update and it would run for a couple mins  then go to 0.00 average. Windows would just sit there forever and never do anything but say checking for updates this is when I found my fix after doing all steps in this discussion and everything else I could try wu online trouble shooter wouldn't even finish. So this is what worked for me.

    1.  click start and type services and open services

    2.  make sure windows update and BITS is started in services

    3.  restart windows management instrumentation service it will restart a couple other services   

        depending on whats installed on your system so ok the restarts

    in under 2 minuts I had a list of 192 important updates and 11 0ptional.  But I waited till my CPU usage on the resource moniter went back to a normal range before I installed them  but that step  just me  I waited for  BITS wu service and trusted installer all to die down on the resource m. then installed the updates.

    Hope this helps some of you out there and good luck

    p.s.  if  this works for any1 on a clean install  please let me know if it works  I forgot to mention I done updated  ie 11 and service pack 1 and the updates listed as possible fixes  manually then did my fix.

    and despite what I read on clean install unless u format the hard drive  you could still have other software still on the hard drive  as I found  a file called packets(a script I downloaded to reset wu) that I had deleted before and a game file  from a site called best old games after I clean installed win 7 so I would suggest copying any manufacture files/programs u want to keep to a disk and format the hard drive.  stay away from 3rd party sites  lol

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  2. Anonymous
    2018-03-29T23:20:47+00:00

    nevertheless, both were already installed and none of our machines are updating

    This discussion may not apply to Windows Update issues beginning later than the discussion itself. This discussion used to explain how to apply Windows Update Client version 7.6.7601.23453. It now explains how to apply Windows Update Client version 7.6.7601.19161.

    An issue starting February 2018 is unlikely to be related to an outdated version of the Windows Update Client, except it's a reinstallation of Windows 7.

    Regards, VZ

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  3. Anonymous
    2018-03-29T20:41:58+00:00

    Frankly, at this point in time, I am no longer a good source of this information -- Windows Update problems.  This posting is a year and half old now. A lot of water under the bridge since then.

    Windows Update has gotten significantly worse since I originally started this discussion.

    As a supporter of roughly 150 client Win7 machines, I reinstall Windows 7 quite often. I have created a detailed step by step for my own use and will share.

    Before I list it, I must discuss the question of updating post December 2014 and September 2016..

    MS ended all development work on Windows 7, December, 2014. All updates, other than security are therefore highly questionable since they are highly likely to include updates that significantly change your Win7 OS in ways that you would not choose, if you had a choice. At the same time, they fired the quality control staff in Windows Update. The result has been an ever worsening parade of defective updates, sometimes rendering PCs useless. Even MS published descriptions of individual updates has become worthless.

    October 2016 was the beginning of the roll-ups that include all manner of guck, much of which you would refuse to use, if you knew what was in it or had a choice.

    In my practice, I recommended, with the full support of my clients, that we discontinue using Microsoft updating from September 2016 onward. (I do NOT recommend this strategy for any enterprise type installation)

    Our conclusion is that the risk of MS making a mess of our computers was far greater than the risk we undertake by NOT applying the security patches embedded in roll-ups. I must tell you that fromSeptember 2016 onward, we have not experienced an instance of any kind of a problem on those 150 computers. In fact, demand for my assistance has fallen off by at least 50%. It is important to note that we all have a top-rated anti-virus software program installed and that it is an anti-virus ONLY software program.  

    The Windows 7 re-install procedure I follow after installation of KB3138612:

    1. Re-set Windows Update setting to Never check for updates. It should be permanent.
    2. Start the update process.  It is likely to include about 200. It will take some time.
    3. Install all offered security updates issued up to and including September 2016
    4. Install .net updates
    5. Do not install any updates that do not come pre-checked.
    6. Do not install any “Optional” updates.
    7. Click once on each Windows Update that is NOT labeled SECURITY and check the date of issue on the right.  If that date is January 1, 2015 or later, right-click on it and hide.
    8. ALL updates issued after September 2016 should be hidden.

    It is notable that adopting this strategy effectively means you no longer accept Microsoft support for Windows 7.  That also means that the expected date of the end of Microsoft Update for Windows 7 of January 2020, has in effect, already arrived.

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  4. Anonymous
    2018-03-29T20:34:59+00:00

    Thanks - nevertheless, both were already installed and none of our machines are updating, though I had thought the most recent updates were all Feb 15, some are also Mar 6, 2018.

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  5. Anonymous
    2018-03-29T20:08:54+00:00

    Sorry, forgot to update from KB3172605 to KB3138612.   Corrected now.

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