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Windows 8 Update stuck at 0 KB, 0% downloaded

Anonymous
2013-11-09T12:48:06+00:00

I have tried various methods (bulk update, updating one at a time, updating selective updates), but am not able to download and install the windows updates. I have also tried the troubleshooting techniques like using the tool, and using the command prompt to stop and start the services, but to no avail.

There are a total of 60 important updates which are stuck in this state.

On account of this, I am not able to proceed for a Windows 8.1 update either, since it is not visible in  my store. In fact, I am facing a similar problem with the store, wherein the updates are not going through and getting stuck in between.

Any pointers to tackle this would be helpful.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Install and upgrade

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-05-01T01:54:32+00:00

    Let if run for a few hours. On my laptop which was also new, it stayed at 0% but it was actually downloading the updates. A lot of them are framework updates which are lengthy. I've had this problem on two complete different laptops, I'm assuming its a widespread windows issue.

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  1. Anonymous
    2013-11-10T09:07:03+00:00

    Hi Sharief,

    I could not stop the Windows Update Service in Method 1; I am getting the message Windows Update Service could not be stopped.

    I could not proceed to Method 2 since it is dependent on Method 1.

    In Method 3, DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Scanhealth found that component Windows Store is repairable. However DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth finished with an error of 0x800f0906.

    Method 4 yielded a result - after about an hour of being stuck, updates started installing. However, on the restart to configure the updates, the updates failed in configuring and they reverted to the original state after going into a loop for 3-4 times of restart.

    I understand that unless I have all the updates in place, I would not be able to view the Windows 8.1 update in the Windows Store. I currently use Windows 8 PRO.

    4 people found this answer helpful.
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  2. Anonymous
    2017-04-20T12:22:21+00:00

    I hope people found help in this forum.  However it's disgusting that this issue has prevailed over the years.  It's in Win 7,8 and 10.  Updating software should be like filling up your tank at the gas station.  It doesn't take hours or days, it just works

    • every time.   MS Windows  Update issues have wasted hours if not days of my life.  The SW developers on this feature, and their management, should be ashamed of themselves and should seriously consider careers in hamburger flipping at  McDonalds or Burger King!

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-11-24T12:02:19+00:00

    This was further unsuccessful, I was still stuck on 71 updates (6 optional) which would not download.

    Note that this was after a spotlessly brand new installation of Windows 8 Pro 64-bit; reinstalling would/should do no good.

    I did get past it however, by manually downloading/installing the one update required to install Windows 8.1 (after a couple of reboots, and performing Method 1 and 2 above one last time), and then installing 8.1.  Even the Windows 8.1 download got stuck until I repeated method 1 and 2 again.  After installing 8.1, the problem seems to be gone.  

    This page links to a manual download for the one updated required for 8.1:

    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2871389

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  4. Anonymous
    2013-11-10T04:03:49+00:00

    Hi Raghu,

    1.      Which tool are you referring to?

    2.      Do you get any error message?

    3.      Were there any recent changes made on the computer prior to the issue?

    Let’s try these methods and check if it helps in fixing the issue.

    Method 1:

    a. Press Windows Key + X.

    b. Click on ‘Command Prompt (Admin) to bring up elevated command prompt. Note: Click ‘Yes’ if it prompts for permission.

    c. At the command prompt, type the following, commands and then press ENTER after each command:

    net stop wuauserv

    net stop bits

    net stop cryptsvc

    d. Please do not close the Command Prompt window.

    Method 2: Rename folders pertaining to Windows Update.

    At the command prompt, type the following commands, and then press Enter after each command:

    ren %systemroot%\System32\Catroot2 Catroot2.old ren %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old

    At the command prompt, type the following, commands and then press ENTER after each command:

    net start wuauserv

    net start bits

    net start cryptsvc

    Close the Command Prompt window and check if you can install the updates.

    Method 3: Run the DISM tool and check if it helps.

    a. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and then tap Search.

    (If you're using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, and then click Search.)

    b. Enter command prompt in the search box.

    c. In the list of results, swipe down on or right-click Command Prompt, and then tap or click Run as administrator.

    d. In the Administrator: Command Prompt window, type the following commands. Press the Enter key after each command:

    DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Scanhealth

    DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth

    e. To close the Administrator: Command prompt window, type Exit, and then press Enter.

    f. Run Windows Update again.

    Method 4: Let’s place the computer in a clean boot state and then try to install the updates.

    Perform a clean boot to check if any third party application is causing the issue, as clean boot helps in eliminating software conflicts. Follow these steps given in the link below to start the computer in clean boot.

    How to perform a clean boot to troubleshoot a problem in Windows 8, Windows 7, or Windows Vista

    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135

    Note: To reset the computer to normal mode after troubleshooting, please refer “**How to reset the computer to start as usual”**from the above article.

    For more information on Windows 8.1 update, refer to the link.

    **Why can't I find the update in the Store?**

    Please update us with the results. We will be happy to assist you further.

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