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Windows update taking forever

Anonymous
2016-11-14T18:26:02+00:00

As of 11/12/16 I have not been able to update my Windows 8.1 x64 OS. When I try to run updates it just runs for a long time. I also tested running updates on my Windows 7 x64 laptop with the same result. Is there something going on with the update server? I found out Windows Updates was not working when i tried to install Visual C++ 2015 and it got stuck at the wusa.exe process. 

Things I have tried:

  • Ran the Windows Update Diagnostic Tool on my 8.1 system and it found 2 errors that it fixed. I run the tool again after a restart and get the same 2 issues to fix.
  • Ran DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth and sfc /scannow successfully and it fixed all issues.
Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Windows update

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  1. Anonymous
    2016-11-17T01:37:13+00:00

    Going to try and give those steps a try tonight. How long should I let it run Windows Update before I determine it didn't work?

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  2. Anonymous
    2016-11-19T02:46:10+00:00

    Is KB3197874 listed in Installed Updates (not Update History) now?

    By any chance did you use a utility to avoid the Win10 upgrade (e.g., GWX Control Panel)?

    Yes that update is installed.

    No I did not install any utility.

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  3. Anonymous
    2016-11-15T06:00:11+00:00

    Assuming Win8.1 64-bit...

    We'll need to do some "digging" here. Please answer each of the following [admittedly tedious] diagnostic questions in a correspondingly-numbered list in your very next reply, preferably without quoting this post:

    1a. When (approx. date) did you purchase the computer?

    1b. Did the computer come with Win8 (or Win8.1) preinstalled, did you do a clean install of Win8 (or Win8.1), or did you upgrade a (e.g., Win7) computer to Win8?

    1c. Who manufactured the computer (e.g., Dell; HP; Lenovo; Acer)? 

    1d. Have you ever done a Refresh? ...a Reset?

    1e. Are you a registered Windows Insider?

    1. What is the full name of your currently-installed third-party anti-virus application or security suite (i.e., not Windows Defender!), if any, and when (approx. date) does your current subscription(if any)expire?
    2. What third-party anti-malware applications (i.e., not Windows Defender!) are installed, if any?  What third-party firewall, if any?
    3. Has a(nother) Norton application or a McAfee application EVER been installed on the computer since you bought it?
    4. Have you ever run the Norton Removal Tool and/or the McAfee Consumer Products Removal Tool?
    5. Is KB3197874 and/or KB3185331 listed in Installed Updates (not Update History)? [1]

    7a. What Update Version & KB number are displayed in the second line of text in IE11's Help | About [Alt+H+A] tab; e.g., Update Version: 11.0.54 (KB1231231) ?

    7b. Is Firefox version 49.0.2 (or higher) and/or Google Chrome version 54.0.2840.99 (or higher) or any other alternate browser installed?

    1. Is Adobe Flash Player v23.0.0.207 installed? TEST HERE USING INTERNET EXPLORER ONLY! => http://www.adobe.com/software/flash/about/ 
    2. Are you in the habit of using "Registry cleaners" (e.g., Registry Mechanic; System Mechanic; RegCure; RegClean Pro; Advanced SystemCare; Total System Care; Glary Utilities; Registry Booster; McAfee QuickClean; AVG Quick Clean; AVG PC TuneUp; Norton Registry Cleaner; Norton PC Tuneup; PCTools Optimiser; SpeedUpMyPC; FixMyPC; PC Doctor; TuneUp Utilities; WinMaximizer; WinSweeper; Comodo System Cleaner; Advanced System Optimizer; CCleaner Registry Cleaner component)?

    ====================================================

    [1] Control Panel | Programs and Features | View installed updates (in left-hand menu)

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  4. Anonymous
    2016-11-14T23:02:55+00:00

    No. I kept the original 8.1 OS

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  5. Anonymous
    2016-11-14T22:41:11+00:00

    Has Win10 ever been installed on the computer-in-question?

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