why has vista stopped automatic updates?

Hi MM - Suggest you try setting Windows Update to Never Check, restart PC, go to Services and STOP Windows Update Service, then without restart, open Windows Update, manually check for updates and leave on over night if needed to get the last three - might work.

I followed your instructions exactly and opened Windows Update. I began the usual search and to my surprise, after just a short delay, it came up with FOUR 'important' updates, the new one being "Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool - March 2017 (KB890830). Each of the four updates proceeded normally with the green progress bar extending to the end in each case, then up came this summary:

Succeeded  -  1 update

Failed       - 3 updates   (the same 3 failures as before)

Error(s) found  Code 80070490

Windows Update encountered an unknown error.

"Get help with this error."

This link produced no help at all, but a Google search on 80070490 produced a solution which involved reinstalling Windows Vista from the DVD, with an assurance that this would not affect existing files. However, I do not have a DVD; the laptop came with Vista pre-installed.

Just a heads up that the **KB3178690** (MS17-014: Security Update for Excel 2010: March 14, 2017) you have listed in your recommended speed up patches <here> for the March 2017 Patch Tuesday updates has a serious bug

Update replaced. Note how they not issue an update (KB3191855) with its appropriate Security status. Again.

https://answers.microsoft.com/message/d2d8f10d-4b10-4662-ad43-0807070efc86?threadId=d319fcc7-974d-4277-afa7-158a391d2e1d

Hi Great White North,

My quote you refer to has worked for me several times with one instance reported earlier in this Discussion Thread. I still use it with Windows 7 as well as Vista. It has also worked for others.

OUgrad

Well MM, this is a long-shot, but you might try running System File Checker from elevated command prompt to see if it finds/fixes any errors. Right-click command prompt under Accessories and click Run as Administrator. Then type "sfc /scannow" without the quotes. There is a space between sfc and the /scannow.

You would need much more than a Vista Installation DVD. See Bill Smithers here.

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows\_vista-windows\_install/how-to-do-repair-install-on-windows-vista-sp2/c38986e5-b800-4f41-8642-d919bb29c26c

If it was me, I'd rather create a Ghost Image (Norton Ghost 14 or 15) or use SSR2013 to create a backup Image of where you are now just in case. Then I'd try a clean install of Vista and experiment from there.  Did your PC come with a Recovery Partition or the ability to burn a Recovery Disc Set? You might also use System Restore to take you back a few updates and try to get more with Windows Update. System Restore must often be run from Safe Mode to complete successfully. Boot to Safe Mode Command Prompt and type rstrui.exe after the system32> It can take some time to open.

This link might help as well. At least you are not alone - only 150,215 Views :-)

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows\_other-update/error-code-80070490-when-installing-windows/c1fea6da-9c98-4194-af64-be69de5e9c6d

OUgrad