Vista: The update does not apply to your system

Anonymous
2017-01-23T12:54:10+00:00

This follows on from the Windows Update problem in Vista and 7 (see here) but seems to be a different problem, so I've moved away from that topic.

I have 32-bit Vista Home Premium (but with a 64-bit processor...don't know why the manufacturer did that), and haven't been able to install any updates since around March 2016. I've followed the instructions on page 1 of the Windows Update thread, and the first update I need to apply is kb3185911. When I try to install, I get the error "The update does not apply to your system". kb3185911 isn't in my list of installed updates, and there don't appear to be any prerequisites for it listed on its page on the MS site. I'm definitely trying to install the x86 (32 bit) version, and not the 64 bit version. Automatic updates are switched off.

To see what would happen, I tried to install some of the subsequent updates referred to on page 1 of the Windows Update thread, but get the same error each time: "The update does not apply to your system".

Any ideas what could be causing this?

Thanks.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Windows update

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  1. Anonymous
    2017-01-26T23:56:12+00:00

    Tip: Contact Norton Support and ask them to help you (a) uninstall Norton Security, (b) download/run the Norton Removal Tool, (c) download/run the McAfee Consumer Products Removal Tool, (d) do a clean install of Norton Security, and then (e) download/run the Windows Update troubleshooter.

    I deinstalled both McAfee and Norton...

    Answer-by-number:

    1. Did you download/run the Norton Removal Tool and then the McAfee Consumer Products Removal Tool and then do a clean install of Norton Security?

    2a. When (exact date) was Windows Internet Explorer 9 installed according to Installed Updates (not Update History)?

    2b. Was IE9 offered & installed via Windows Update or did you install it manually?

    2c. What Update Version & KB number are displayed in the second line of text in IE9's Help | About [Alt+H+A] tab; e.g., Update Version: 11.0.99 (KB1231231) ?

    1. Is Internet Explorer working properly when you intentionally choose to use it?

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-01-26T12:34:56+00:00

    Hello again,

    Thanks for the suggestions. I deinstalled both McAfee and Norton, but the first Windows update patch I require (kb3185911) still failed to load, and returned the same error ('the update does not apply to your system').

    Unfortunately, I can't find a Windows update troubleshooter for Vista. All I can find are versions for Windows 7 and above. Do you have a link for a Vista version?

    IE:

    Prior to the general Vista update problem that all Vista users seems to be experiencing, I installed Windows updates regularly, including IE updates, and, as a result, have IE 9 installed, although I've never used it.

    Time for a new computer?

    Yes. Undoubtedly. However, I'd like to keep this one running a little longer, and want to patch it up as much as possible before the extended support ends.

    Do you have any other suggestions?

    Thanks

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-01-25T01:26:49+00:00

    Are you running Internet Explorer 7 (IE7) or IE8?

    Support (and updates) for IE8/Vista ended on 12 January 2016. Looks like the computer's missing at least a years' worth of critical security updates. That's not a good thing!

    Tip: Contact Norton Support and ask them to help you (a) uninstall Norton Security, (b) download/run the Norton Removal Tool, (c) download/run the McAfee Removal Tool, (d) do a clean install of Norton Security, and then (e) download/run the Windows Update troubleshooter. After doing all that, run a manual check for updates & see if any/all updates offered (including IE9) will successfully install.

    PS: Extended Support (and updates) for Vista SP2 ends on 11 April 2017 (shortly before your Norton subscription expires). Time for a new computer?

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  4. Anonymous
    2017-01-24T12:52:53+00:00

    Hello,

    1a. 2007

    1b. Mesh

    1c. No

    1. Norton Security for the virus checker and firewall. It expires in about 3 months.
    2. Norton Security was purchased as an upgrade from Norton 360. A couple of years ago I inadvertently installed a trial version of McAfee. It's still there but I've disabled the service.

    The PC came with a trial version of Bullguard already installed, but I've disabled that service too.

    1. I don't have IE9
    2. I have Java 8 u121
    3. I have Flash 24.0.0.194
    4. I have Firefox 50.1.0. I don't have any other browsers (apart from an old version of IE that I haven't used in years)
    5. I've never knowingly used a registry cleaner. Norton Security has a performance app included which I've run a few times, but I don't think it cleans the registry.

    Thanks

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  5. Anonymous
    2017-01-23T22:16:41+00:00

    I have 32-bit Vista Home Premium [and] haven't been able to install any updates since around March 2016...

    Please answer each of the following [admittedly tedious] diagnostic questions in a correspondingly-numbered list in your very next reply, preferably without quoting my post:

    1a. When (approx. date) did you purchase the computer?

    1b. Who manufactured the computer (e.g., Dell; HP; Lenovo; Toshiba)?

    1c. Have you ever had occasion to do a Repair Install or a clean install of Windows Vista?

    1. What is the full name of your installed anti-virus application or security suite and when (approx. date) does your current subscription expire? What anti-spyware applications (other than Defender) are installed? What third-party firewall (if any)?
    2. Has a(nother) Norton application or a McAfee application EVER been installed on the computer since you bought it?
    3. Assuming Internet Explorer 9 is installed => What Update Version & KB number are displayed in the second line of text in IE9's Help | About [Alt+H+A] tab; e.g., Update Version: 9.0.54 (KB9876543) ?
    4. Assuming Java is installed => Is Java Version 8 Update 121 (or higher) installed? TEST HERE USING INTERNET EXPLORER ONLY! => http://java.com/en/download/uninstallapplet.jsp [1]
    • Java Update: Patch it or pitch it

    http://krebsonsecurity.com/2014/07/java-update-patch-it-or-pitch-it/

    • Is it time to disable/uninstall Java?

    http://securitygarden.blogspot.com/2013/01/java-zero-day-again-time-to.html

    1. Is Adobe Flash Player v24.0.0.194 (or higher) installed? TEST HERE USING INTERNET EXPLORER ONLY! => http://www.adobe.com/software/flash/about/
    2. Is Firefox version 50.1.0 (or higher) and/or Google Chrome version 49.0.2623.112 [sic] or any other alternate browser installed?
    3. Are you in the habit of using "Registry cleaners" (e.g., Registry Mechanic; System Mechanic; RegCure; RegClean Pro; Advanced SystemCare; Total System Care; Glary Utilities; Registry Booster; McAfee QuickClean; AVG Quick Clean; AVG PC TuneUp; Norton Registry Cleaner; Norton PC Tuneup; PCTools Optimiser; SpeedUpMyPC; FixMyPC; PC Doctor; TuneUp Utilities; WinMaximizer; WinSweeper; Comodo System Cleaner; Advanced System Optimizer; CCleaner Registry Cleaner component)?

    ==================================================

    [1] No need to install Java if it's not already installed!

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