why has vista stopped automatic updates?

This issue has been officially fixed for Windows 7 in January. Not so for Vista.

Regards, VZ

So, am I the only one who mysteriously had 2 computers, a Win 7 Pro and a Vista automatically have this problem solved on the same day? I'm happy that both did updates - the first since last summer- but I have no understanding as to why. I can only presume MS was purposefully not updating many computers, perhaps to allow their servers to keep busy installing W 10 on millions of computers. If this lucky break happened to me, why  not others? I get the sense that some people have managed to get some updates but many have not. Other than Vista which MS will abandon soon, I would bet that the Win 7 machines will sooner or later "fix themselves" when MS so decides to generous.

Joe

Regarding KB3078601, I found this link which implies if you have KB3153199 installed, KB3078601 may not install because KB3078601 must be installed before KB3153199.

The implication is incorrect. No particular sequence applies regarding KB3078601 and KB3153199. No dependency of any kind applies to them. No particular sequence applies when manually preinstalling any issue-related updates.

If your installation is at least as current as August 2015 (!), KB3078601 cannot - and need not - be installed because it's already present.

Regards, VZ

Hi Frederick,

Regarding KB3078601, I found this link which implies if you have KB3153199 installed, KB3078601 may not install because KB3078601 must be installed before KB3153199 - see Imacri's comment #4 in link below.

https://www.vistax64.com/windows-updates/303992-windows-update-just-seems-hang-while-checking-19.html

Although the above is an x64 link, the sequence likely applies to x86. You might try uninstalling KB3153199 if you have it and then install both in the recommended order. Create a Restore Point before trying this to be safe.

Here's a link that confirms installation sequence sometimes applies as well as other possible reasons for your issue like the "Update is superseded" - more research required to determine which updates have been superseded.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/3057448/-the-update-is-not-applicable-to-your-computer-error-when-you-install-windows-updates

Regarding KB3210136 here's another possible reason - do you have the applicable program for this update?

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/2600847/you-received-error-message-patch-does-not-apply,-or-is-blocked-by-another-condition-on-your-computer

https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/heaths/2014/05/23/update-does-not-apply-or-is-blocked-by-another-condition-on-your-computer/

OUgrad

EDIT - Before trying everything manually, you might try this first. Set WU to never check, restart PC, go to Services and Stop the WU Service, then run WU manually without PC restart. Leave the PC connected to the Internet overnight to see if you get an update list.