Problems downloading updates

[elsiegee40]

I am trying to update my daughter's Win 7 SP1 laptop. It gets stuck forever on windows updates with the last successful install on March 18th (just before she left for Canada)

 

Having googled this, I then tried to install KB 3135445 https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/kb/3135445

 

But when I run this after the download, it just hangs in "Searching for updates on this computer". It doesn't offer to install it.

 

Any suggestions please?

 

Ultimately I want to move to Win10 on this machine, but don't want to hit the update button if Win7 isn't playing nicely.

Edited June 27, 2016 by elsiegee40

[Steve21]

You tried the latest WU fixes in this one? https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3161608

 

There's a patch in there that always seems to solve the issues when W7 is being stupid with updates (generally you'll see CPU go 100% and stick there), but they rolled it into that update.

 

Also there's the old softwaredistribution rename fix

 

Steve

[elsiegee40]

WSUS not applicable. This is a standalone home laptop not networked

[DJ-1701]

Have you tried manually updating/reinstalling the Windows Update Agent on the laptop to the latest version?

 

The Windows 7 SP1 32-Bit and 64-Bit installers can be found here:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/949104

[Steve21]

Those are home ones I edited post as realised I put wsus

 

Steve

[elsiegee40]

You tried the latest WU fixes in this one? https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3161608

 

There's a patch in there that always seems to solve the issues when W7 is being stupid with updates (generally you'll see CPU go 100% and stick there), but they rolled it into that update.

 

Also there's the old softwaredistribution rename fix

 

Steve

 

It turns out KB3135445 is already installed.

 

I am now trying the KB you suggest KB3161608 but it's not looking hopeful. It downloads fine, but when I run I get the same thing

[Arthur]

Having googled this, I then tried to install KB3135445

Download the June update (KB3161608). This includes the latest WU client too.

 

[b]64-bit[/b]: https://download.microsoft.com/download/6/0/C/60C66A2E-BA01-49C3-8E57-2425B2F195F9/Windows6.1-KB3161608-x64.msu
[b]32-bit[/b]: https://download.microsoft.com/download/E/0/7/E0701BA5-DDEB-47ED-8E83-9665B8A61088/Windows6.1-KB3161608-x86.msu

 

See also: http://wu.krelay.de/en/

[elsiegee40]

Download the June update (KB3161608). This includes the latest WU client too.

 

[b]64-bit[/b]: https://download.microsoft.com/download/6/0/C/60C66A2E-BA01-49C3-8E57-2425B2F195F9/Windows6.1-KB3161608-x64.msu
[b]32-bit[/b]: https://download.microsoft.com/download/E/0/7/E0701BA5-DDEB-47ED-8E83-9665B8A61088/Windows6.1-KB3161608-x86.msu

 

See also: Search for Windows Updates takes forever? - A possible solution

I downloaded it, but when I run the download, it says "checking for updates on this computer" (see above photo) and does no more @Arthur

[DJ-1701]

Have you tried manually updating/reinstalling the Windows Update Agent on the laptop to the latest version?

 

The Windows 7 SP1 32-Bit and 64-Bit installers can be found here:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/949104

 

Sorry for the repeat, but did you try this one?

Sometimes when I have problems I have needed to reinstall the WUA.

[elsiegee40]

Sorry for the repeat, but did you try this one?

Sometimes when I have problems I have needed to reinstall the WUA.

 

Will try after I have had dinner. Thanks @DJ-1701

 

Do I need to do anything first or just install the KB?

[DJ-1701]

Just should just be able to install it. Should reinstall the latest agent in case it became corrupt.

[Arthur]

I downloaded it, but when I run the download, it says "checking for updates on this computer" (see above photo) and does no more

Try the commands below from an elevated Command Prompt (assuming KB3161608 is in your Downloads folder).

 

md "%temp%\KB3161608"
expand -F:* "%USERPROFILE%\Downloads\Windows6.1-KB3161608-x64.msu" "%temp%\KB3161608"
pkgmgr /ip /m:"%temp%\KB3161608\Windows6.1-KB3161608-x64.cab" /quiet /norestart /l:%temp%\Update.log

 

Using pkgmgr to install the update is a lot quicker because it won't initiate an update scan prior to installing the update (as happens with the MSU).

 

With the MSU you often get stuck in catch-22 situation: the patch to fix the slow update scan issue has to wait until after Windows has done an update scan before it can install.

Edited June 27, 2016 by Arthur
Typo

[elsiegee40]

I will cross my fingers. It doesn't seem to want to install anything at the moment

[elsiegee40]

Try the commands below from an elevated Command Prompt (assuming KB3161608 is in your Downloads folder).

 

md "%temp%\KB3161608"
expand -F:* "%USERPROFILE%\Downloads\Windows6.1-KB3161608-x64.msu" "%temp%\KB3161608"
pkgmgr /ip /m:"%USERPROFILE%\Downloads\Windows6.1-KB3161608-x64.cab" /quiet /norestart /l:%temp%\Update.log

 

Using pkgmgr to install the update is a lot quicker because it won't initiate an update scan prior to installing the update (as happens with the MSU).

 

Dinner first

[elsiegee40]

It is that update scan that seems to stall everything

 

And I am feeling very out of touch. It's about 18 months since I have had to do any serious wrangling and I feel like I have forgotten everything

Edited June 27, 2016 by elsiegee40

[computer_expert]

Sometimes I find that cutting off internet access before it starts the checking for updates process works (or at least speeds up the process when you try to manually install updates!)

[Arthur]

Dinner first

Good idea!

 

Btw, I updated my post with the commands. I spotted a typo which I have now fixed.

[elsiegee40]

And the good thing about dinner followed by Roger Federer winning followed by a dreadful England game is that I forgot about the laptop and it had finished searching and was ready to install KB3161608 suggested by @Arthur.

 

I will see if I can do actual windows updates properly now tomorrow

Edited June 27, 2016 by elsiegee40

[elsiegee40]

Laptop seems much happier this morning. It's chugging through a 3 month backlog of updates

[Steve21]

Aye good to hear, would always do that one as first update on Windows 7. That svchost bug is a pain in the backside

 

Steve

[ITJS2015]

I would stop the wuauserv sevice from command prompt, then delete the software distribution folder and start it again.

 

This will sort out and refresh your downloads

[elsiegee40]

I would stop the wuauserv sevice from command prompt, then delete the software distribution folder and start it again.

 

This will sort out and refresh your downloads

 

It seems to be OK now, but thanks