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Question

Windows 8.1. 78 available updates where do I start?

Sep 11, 2015 12:39PM PDT

My grandfather has not updated his laptop in some time. Trying to install anything gets nowhere, it is stuck on "preparing to install" even when I have selected a single update to install. I am using the updater through the control panel. There are 78 Important updates available and 3 optional ones available. We are trying to update his 8.1 so he can get windows 10. Advice?

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Step 1. Backup what you can't lose.
Sep 11, 2015 12:51PM PDT

This is typical for many reasons. From some over reaching antivirus to malware, registry cleaner damage.

Step 2. Backup what you can't lose again.

Now that all is backed up and you know you can copy it back in, use Windows 8.1's refresh this PC feature and if need be reset it to factory condition. That way what's infected or broken will be gone.

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Step 3?
Sep 11, 2015 3:46PM PDT

After refreshing the PC how would I know if things are running correctly? I am still unable to update, it is now getting stuck on "downloading and installing" updates. Currently it is stuck on "checking for updates" with no button to cease the check. I am still using the Control Panel. (@wpgwpg, I use the control panel as a personal preference. If I don't have to use windows 8 start menu, I will avoid it at all costs.) I tried it on the start menu to be sure and got no results either.

If this problem persists I will attempt setting it to factory condition, or try wpgwpg's suggestion and reply here with an update. Thank you for your help!

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how much time have you given it?
Sep 11, 2015 3:56PM PDT

Sometimes this takes a while with so many updates.
Dafydd.

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quick update
Sep 11, 2015 3:56PM PDT

I was able to install one update by itself which gives me hope for the rest. Once I am able to seamlessly update, what should I update first? What can I leave out? Since the refresh I've gotten more updates (naturally); so should I select 10 to download at once or go one by one and hope that one day I will be able to upgrade to windows 10?

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Once you have all the updates up to date....
Sep 11, 2015 4:04PM PDT

use the win 10 media creation tool ( download from MS) and then choose UPGRADE from it. Can take a long time to do.
Dafydd.

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So far if I have to choose
Sep 11, 2015 4:42PM PDT

I start with the top of the list given. I guess if I wanted to I could research each KB number but since I'm on the clock I don't.

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Answer
Something's infected or corupted.
Sep 11, 2015 12:51PM PDT

If you can't install just one single update, something's infected or corrupted in Windows because you should always be able to do that. If he hasn't run Windows Update, maybe he hasn't kept his antivirus up to date either? Another possibility is that something's corrupted a system file, so I'd open an administrator command prompt and issue the SFC /scannow command.
Now I have a question for you. Why are you using the Control Panel to system updates? You shouldn't have to do that. Is there some reason you can't run it via the Start menu? Maybe that gives clues to the source of the problem that would help us to help you.

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Answer
If you have to do this for him
Sep 12, 2015 6:01PM PDT

then it's very likely you first need to make sure his Antivirus is updated and the entire drive scanned FIRST. You should then install MalwareBytes and run it's scan for trojans and other malware. Only knowing it's clean first can you safely proceed to do the windows updates. On those may need to leave it on all night, sometimes it's really slow, especially now if MS is using the same servers for providing w10 updates to everyone.