Windows Update GUI Will Not Open

Question

I'm trying to help an elderly friend with little PC knowledge. The Windows Update GUI in his Windows 7 Home Premium PC will not open. It starts to open with the outline of the GUI visible, but we only see a circling motion within the outline for several minutes. I checked Services and the Windows Update Service is Started each time we boot the PC. I ran sfc /scannow from Admin Command Prompt and no Integrity Violations were found. I've scanned his PC with Avast, Malwarebytes Free Version and ESET's Free Online Scanner. They all found PUPs and Viruses, but we still see the same behavior after cleaning as before. I also uninstalled several non-essential Programs, but no help. Perhaps I should try Safe Mode with Networking to see if more infection is implied or to troubleshoot a software conflict? I could also run a few more free scans like Norton Power Eraser, Kaspersky, Bit Defender (I think), Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool, any others (?). His PC runs quite fast in Windows and using IE11 now compared to before my efforts.

Other suggestions welcome...

Answer 1

Thanks Jose, but no help. Viewing installed Windows Updates in Programs and Features shows the last Microsoft Windows Updates were installed 1/16/2014 - too far back for System Restore or Last Known Configuration That Worked. Since Windows Update will not launch, I may replace all the Windows Update Files in System32 in case one is corrupted. First, I will try to run wuapp.exe as Administrator from System32.

Just found this Microsoft Windows Update Troubleshooter - will try.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058

I will probably run more virus/PUP scans from other programs listed above as well.

Any other suggestions by anyone?

Answer 2

Problem Solved !!!

Running wuapp.exe as Administrator from System32 did not work. Safe Mode with Networking did not help. However, the Windows Update Troubleshooter linked above fixed the problem even though there was one item it was unable to repair out of several.

P.S. to Microsoft - this discussion forum should allow the originator of the discussion to mark one of their own posts as Answer. Notice I solved my own problem above, but there is no option on any of my replies to mark as Answer. Please fix ASAP !!!

Answer 3

See if this sugəsstion can həlp you:

<<http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-windows_update/update-frozen-windows-7/b9e92f05-e6fd-4921-b027-e63857b20d24>>

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