Keeps running 'checking for updates' for hours

Question

Split from this thread.

Has anyone found a solution to this problem.  I have not been able to load any updates since June - as Levy Omer it just keeps running 'checking for updates' for hours but nothing happens........ can someone give a reasonable simple way of sorting this please.

Jan Kingsmill

Answer 1

Those links do not work mate,

When manually installing updates you need to switch your update settings to Never check for updates and restart the machine first.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2797-windows-update-settings-change.html

Make sure KB3020369 is installed if not manually install it this is the main article page with all versions,

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3020369

These other links do prompt you to download as soon as you click on them just to give you a heads up :)

Win-7 32 bit

https://download.microsoft.com/download/C/0/8/C0823F43-BFE9-4147-9B0A-35769CBBE6B0/Windows6.1-KB3020369-x86.msu

Win-7 64 bit

https://download.microsoft.com/download/5/D/0/5D0821EB-A92D-4CA2-9020-EC41D56B074F/Windows6.1-KB3020369-x64.msu

Then manually install KB3172605 main article page with all versions,

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3172605

KB3172605

Win-7 32 bit

https://download.microsoft.com/download/C/D/5/CD5DE7B2-E857-4BD4-AA9C-6B30C3E1735A/Windows6.1-KB3172605-x86.msu

Win-7 64 bit

https://download.microsoft.com/download/5/6/0/560504D4-F91A-4DEB-867F-C713F7821374/Windows6.1-KB3172605-x64.msu

After switch your windows update settings back to what you had prior and manually check for updates and the rest should show up shortly.

If you need visual aids refer to this as reply 1 suggests,

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-update/windows-7-update-problems-read-this-first/28147a5f-b0b0-480b-bed9-834a2da7a375

Answer 2

A lot of problems arise from setting Windows Update to automatically update. Select Start, All Programs, Windows Update, Change Settings. Under Important Updates is a box showing the current setting. Click on the Arrow down to the right and change the selection to “Never check for updates”. Click on OK and restart your computer.

For a Windows 7 32 bit computer download and install:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/confirmation.aspx?id=53335 (replaced link as late edit)

For a Windows 7 64 bit computer download and install:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/confirmation.aspx?id=53332 (replaced link as late edit)

Select Start, All Programs, Windows Update, Change Settings. Under Important Updates is a box showing the current setting. Click on the Arrow down to the right and change the selection to “Check for Updates but let me choose whether to download and install them”. Restart your computer.

Current as of 1 August 2016

July 2016 update rollup for Windows 7 SP1 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3172605

Answer 3

Thanks for pointing out the problem. I have replaced the two links. I am not sure at the moment why they were wrong.

Answer 4

Windows 7 Update Problems? Read this first.