Windows Server 2016 Update using Standalone Installer Stuck at Searching for Other Updates

Meowmiii 21 Reputation points
2022-11-09T14:34:44.853+00:00

Hi guys,

I'm having problems installing updates using standalone installer on Windows Server 2016.
We have a server that is not connected to the internet and we want the Windows to be updated offline. No WSUS is installed so Windows standalone installer are our way of updating.
I've downloaded standalone Windows update installers and tried to run but it gets stuck at 'Searching for other updates on this computer'. When I click on 'Cancel' it just don't work like it's not responding.

I can only kill the program by killing 'wusa' services on the task manager. I also tried to stop and start the Windows Update service but it also gets stuck at 'Stopping' status. I've tried restarting the server, but the behavior of the 'wusa' and Windows Update service are the same on getting stuck.

No configuration on Group Policy is set on Configure Automatic Updates. I've tried to set the 'sconfig' then ' Windows Update Settings' to 'Manual' only but I cannot changed it from Custom.

Is there any way or work around to prevent the standalone installer from 'Searching for other updates'?

Thanks in advance.

Windows for business Windows Server User experience Other
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Accepted answer
  1. Philippe Levesque 5,836 Reputation points
    2022-11-09T14:40:20.37+00:00

    Hi,

    Please restart and wusa is usually in delayed start, if so please desactivate it before it start.

    After rename the c:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution folder to c:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution.old before retrying to start the service.

    If you can't disable the service boot in safe mode to disable it first, and reboot in normal to rename the folder while it's off.

    1 person found this answer helpful.

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  1. Meowmiii 21 Reputation points
    2022-11-10T01:39:38.743+00:00

    We tried to leave the 'Searching for other updates' running and it suddenly prompts us to install the update the next day. However now it gets stuck on 'Copying packages to the Windows Update cache...'.

    258953-screenshot-2022-11-10-093446.png

    When I'm trying on a virtual machine the updating using standalone installer goes smooth, should we leave it like a couple of hours? Or something's not right as it should go without long waiting time?


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