Win update NOT working

I can't see why this is posted here. The Windows 7 update issues have lots of prior discussions. The one thing you discover is it's not always the same fix. Be sure to google your topic to find the dozen usual workarounds.

Rob,
It may be an old problem but the question is current. If I had found anything resembling a viable workaround by Googling, I wouldn't have resorted to using this forum, which previously, I've always found very helpful.
If anyone can point to the work arounds I'd be immensely grateful.
Thank you.
PS. I tried W10 free trial & hated it.

Is to manually install the updates one by one. Manual installation is another well done topic. You find the KB, download and install them one by one.

-> You are right. It's an ongoing issue without a single "do this cure." That is, you are left to try the procedures one by one until you find the one that works for your PC.

I've seen folk respond like you and it takes time for them to accept there is no one cure for this one but many.

Which one is it this time?

Thanks Rob,
I understand. The workaround I may resort to is paying someone else to sort it.
My general level of knowlege is reasonably good but finding individual updates manually is not something I immediately know how to do, yet.
Or I may upgrade if I can find a viable offer.
Why can't they just leave people to run what they want. 7,8 or 10. Rhetorical question.
Cheers

Here's a tool to report missing updates. Windows 7 is noted in the requirements.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=7558

...a link to access free support from Microsoft & they've sorted it "remotely"
The technician's explanation was that the sheer quantity of updates required on W7 now, on a fresh install, is so great that it blocks updates from working in the normal fashion.
She manually downloaded a couple of major updates which are going on as I write, so when that's all done, it should be useable as normal.
I will be cloning the drive when it's updated to save all that grief again.
Cheers Rob

Dafydd.

..again tomorrow, I'll be happy to share it.
When I found & used it, it all happened so quickly getting connected to live chat & remote help that I didn't get the chance to bookmark it.
I'll update asap
Cheers Dafydd

Will help other members.
Dafydd.

... their customer support sent an email to help also. I'll copy it here in case it helps.




Hi there!
Thanks for contacting Answer Desk.


1- Launch Windows Update, then select Change Settings and choose Never check for updates.

2- Restart the PC.

3- Upon restarting, download and save these updates:

For KB3020369:
32 bithttps://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

For KB3172605:
32 bit https://download.microsoft.com/download/C/D/5/CD5DE7B2-E857-4BD4-AA9C-6B30C3E1735A/Windows6.1-KB3172605-x86.msu
64 bit https://download.microsoft.com/download/5/6/0/560504D4-F91A-4DEB-867F-C713F7821374/Windows6.1-KB3172605-x64.msu

4- Install KB3020369 first*, then KB3172605. This last one will ask you to restart the computer, please do so.

5- Upon restarting and logging into Windows, allow WU to complete the update by leaving the computer idle for about 10-12 min. Reduce PC usage as much as possible during this time.

6- Launch Windows Update, then select Change Settings and restore the original option modified in step 1.

7- Check for pending updates.

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These instructions worked perfectly for my new Win 7 Pro x64 installation. I tried many other suggestions and was about to give up but this fixed it in just a few minutes! Thank you!

I have not had any windows updates for months! I did what was listed here...and NOW UPDATES ARE DOWNLOADING! Thanks for posting this

Glad it helped others too

Remember this doesn't work for all W7 setups.

We manually install the latest IE and SP1. If that doesn't work I install SP1 and then the latest IE. As this is not a sure thing, I can't call it the fix. It's a common thing you find in prior discussions.

-> It appears to me that Microsoft needs to fix the glitch. And by fix, not like these guys.

...to get free & very helpful support from M/s & that it appears to have sorted my issue.
From memory, I think I was searching to upgrade/buy W10 when I was offered the Live Chat window which led to the free support but I've included this contact link I just found in the meantime.
Currently it's 01.17hrs & only 75 of 210 updates have installed so far. It's going to be a long night or leave it to itself.
Cheers

https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/contactus/

They really need to revamp the update system. The number of posts is nothing short of amazing. I've seen that method before and I've seen it fix and fail. So I can't write that's it when folk ask.

Most of what folk didn't like is cured with the free "Classic Shell." You can have your menus just the way you want them.

There are no update failures.. The search for updates never ends... It doesn't find any updates to install as it never completes the search..

I have nothing new to add to the search never ends discussions. I dropped hints what I run into and for me, if there is an offer for W10, I would take it.

https://www.google.com/search?q=windows+7+update+search+never+ends&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8 for example. I don't see you adding details that would narrow it down.

It seems Microsoft wants to push everybody to Win10.

I have PCs with different flavors of Win7 and one Vista that always take forever searching Windows Updates.

FYI Windows Vista took me 3 days always on and searching Windows Update till it finally did the job and installed the July updates.
I know, Vista, but crazy nevertheless when it used to take 30-45 minutes.

Windows 7 updates taking forever is a common problem to too many users.
Reason enough for me to wonder why this is happening.
It shouldn't be Windows 10, but I do believe that is the real issue here.

And... No, I did not update to Windows 10 and never will.
And... Yes, I did test it in several machines and lost patience trying to patch every single problem that was persistently popping up.

Sorry, end of rant...

I have both systems 7 & 10 and I have never had a problem like that .
I have to wonder if you have an anti- virus program restricting you or maybe slow internet speed.
Diggin' the rant though

But I use several machines on different networks and the problem is common to every and each one.
The Vista PC is on a fiber service with 200/20 Mbps.
Different AVs, most with MSE.
No restrictions whatsoever.

I have tried everything, the most commonly suggested is resetting Windows Update components, done. Repairing Windows, done. Fix It's and similar suggestions, done. Believe me I tried too many things to list thoroughly.

I have friends and there are too many users reporting exactly the same problem.

I truly believe the restrictions are not on our side.
But persistence is.

Been there, done that and much more.
I know I can get the individual updates but do you really believe that is the solution?
I can even get the monthly rollups, example here for July:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3172605

But, again, this works around the problem rather than solves it.

Thanks anyway @Willy.

The machine has been infected or a registry cleaner used.

That is, I uninstall the AV which I find to interfere, complete the scans Grif notes at http://www.cnet.com/forums/discussions/how-to-remove-pup-option-603542/#post-f742c795-5881-433b-a29b-6d758efe5cd3

Along the way I also set IE as the default browser, check the date and time are spot and, match with my timezone and well, the list goes on and on. VPNs are tossed, Torrents are knocked out and then I'm ready for the usual deletion of the catroot folders noted at https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2509997

There are folk that think this is broken, and it is. Usually there's a reason why it broke but all I have is the above story.

Wrong there too.
I believe you, and others, may believe I am a newbie.
Wrong again.

Did I mention several flavors of Windows 7 and one laptop with Vista...?
Yes, I did.

No worries.
Just wanted to rant a bit and let others know they are not alone.
Thanks everyone.

Actually that was for the OP.

I'm sure you've read that our office put in a full effort to move all our gear to W10 over the last month. It turned out very well and along the way we cured a lot of slow booting machines.

The last update was a Lenovo y510p which had initially been blocked by Nvidia. Time passed and Nvidia issued a driver and W10 slid into place. Bonus is the boot time is now under 30 seconds. Was 1 minute.

Had too many problems with upgrades and for the sake of mental sanity and to be sure we were not breaking anything at work we reverted to the good old stable and solid Windows 7.

I must say though that my experience with fresh installs of Windows 10 is not that bad.

Thank you Robert.