"WindowsUpdate_80073701" "WindowsUpdate_dt000"

No, this wasn't helpful, no matter what I did, I was denied access to rename the folder.  I have the same problem with both updates for internet explorer 9 (to replace 8) and service pack 1 not loading up - despite 1000 ways published to fix this.   Even tried a reinstall of Windows 7 that blue screened - shouldn't have to reformat a whole hard drive and lose everything to fix a problem with the operating system that is so unsophisticated it cannot appropriately diagnose problems and solve them in a way that does not require a 7 year degree in specific aspects of computer engineering to understand.  Solution 1, use another browser, solution 2, buy a Mac next time.  Very unimpressed that Microsoft cannot provide obvious support/repair to its own products in the extremely long period of time that these problems have been appearing.  Most of us have jobs that do not give us the time to be computer engineers learning every new system that gets published in a broken state that requires a massive amount of hours to work out what is wrong from forums that give simple solutions that do not work.

Rename the Software Distribution folder:

Click Start Menu > Type %windir% and Press 'OK'
Locate the SoftwareDistribution folder
Right-click the SoftwareDistribution folder and then right-click > Rename
Type SoftwareDistributionOld Press 'ENTER'

Windows 7 SP1 is provided in two ways, either as a full .ISO file download weighing in at 2.4 GBs or as an update available through Windows Update. The .ISO file contains SP1 code for different processor architectures such as x86, x86-x64 and Itanium systems. Because I have a mixture of 32 and 64 bit systems, I went with the .ISO file. Whichever method you choose, here are some tips for ensuring a smooth installation.

* Getting Windows Update errors with Windows 7 SP1? MS notes "inconsistencies," provides fix: http://is.gd/22brle

*    1. Click on Start > Programs > Accessories, and right-click on Command Prompt.
   2. Choose Run As and select an Administrator account.
   3. At the command prompt, type net stop cryptsvc and wait for the service to stop.
   4. Type CD\ and press Enter.
   5. Type CD windows\system32 and press Enter.
   6. Type ren catroot2 catroot3 and press Enter.

Other solutions:

1. Make sure you install the latest updates for Windows 7, your applications and device drivers. This can ensure a smooth experience I noticed, although Windows 7 SP1 is minor, you don’t want to take any chances. If you are updating through Windows Update, it also guarantees a smaller update since only missing patches will be applied.

2. Backup – you can never go wrong with backing up; this is something you should do often even when you are not making major changes to your computer. Windows 7 has made it very easy tobackup your computer . The built in system imaging and backup and restore center makes it convenient to back up the operating system and all your critical data. In fact, I used this to test the beta and RC releases of SP1 on my production system. This method carried its risks, but at least I knew my RTM installation was safely backed up and tucked away from pre-release code.
http://www.notebooks.com/2009/10/24/how-to-backup-your-installation-of-windows-7/

3. Don’t do it during a major project, if you have something you are working on at the moment on your computer or in the middle of an assignment or work related project which you might need your PC for, don’t install the Service Pack right away. Do it in your off time, such as on the weekend or when you know you can leave your PC while it installs itself automatically. My installation took over 2 hours.

4. This brings me to another point, which is, don’t install SP1 on a laptop on battery power, it’s a CPU intensive task and will use up most of your battery power. So make sure your laptop is connected to power. For desktop users, I strongly recommend you have a UPS connected, you just don’t know when the unexpected can occur. You might just be in the last lap of completing the 2 hour installation and lose power.

5. Disable your Antivirus, I remember installing the SP1 beta with Microsoft Security Essentials version 1 installed and received an error that my Antivirus is not compatible. Although this was resolved, your experience might vary. I haven’t experienced the issue in the RTM code although I am running Microsoft Security Essentials version 2. Someone reported receiving an error message about Forefront Client Security not allowing the Service Pack to install. The recommendation is to disable Forefront which is based on the same core scanning engine as MSE or make sure you at least have the latest version of Forefront client security installed.

6. Another thing you should do is a clean boot before installing the Service Pack, you can do this by:

    * Click Start, type msconfig in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER.
    * Accept User Account Control permission
    * If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password, or click Continue.
    * On the General tab, click Selective Startup.
    * Under Selective Startup, click to clear the Load Startup Items check box.
    * Click the Services tab, click to select the Hide All Microsoft Services check box, and then click Disable All.
    * Click OK.
    * When you are prompted, click Restart.
    * After the computer starts, proceed with the installation.

7. Another task you should try is to check your hard disk for errors:

    * Click Start
    * Type: CMD, from the results, right click CMD
    * Click ‘Run as Administrator’
    * At the Command Prompt, type: chkdsk /r /f

When you restart your system, your computer will be scanned for errors and attempts will be made to correct them.

Read more: http://notebooks.com/2011/02/22/how-to-install-windows-7-service-pack-1-sp1/#ixzz1ElMQ9YH7

If you are installing through Windows Update, try downloading the full installer instead:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=c3202ce6-4056-4059-8a1b-3a9b77cdfdda#QuickDetails

 
windows6.1-KB976932-X64.exe
903.2 MB

Recommended updates to apply:
System Update Readiness Tool for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB947821) [February 2011]
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=914FBC5B-1FBA-4BAE-A7C3-D2C47C6FCFFC
32 bit: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyId=44e15787-66b0-4e9c-9c3b-1fc9ea40f69f&displaylang=en