I look after 150 client computers. I just did this last night with full success.
Here is the methodology I recommend for you. First follow the first item here. It will take a lot of patience -- many, many hours, but this works most of the time. If after a long time, it still does not result in full complement of updates (don't waste
time doing them in blocks, just full shot), then follow the 2nd item below. After all updates are completed -- there are no more offered, follow the third item in this long set of instructions. It works.
http://www.canadiantech.info/for-techies/windows-update-not-responding/
Windows update not responding
Before you start Windows Update, if your computer has not been up and running for a few days or more, start it and let it run without using it for some hours. Turn off the sleep functions if they are set. If yours is a laptop, make sure it is powered with
the power cord. Start Task Manager (right-click on the task bar) and look at the CPU % in use at the bottom of that window. If it is more than 10%, you have to wait until what ever the computer is doing finishes before starting Windows Update.
Functions like Antivirus update and scans, scheduled defragmentation, updates to Java, Flash Player, Adobe Reader and others must be completed BEFORE you start Windows Update.
I just did this on a laptop that had not been used for about 70 days. It took the best part of a day to finally settle down and be ready.
Windows Update is dramatically slower than it was in the Spring of 2015, before Windows 10 began its merciless march. There may be nothing wrong with your computer! The problem is a hopelessly inadequate Windows Update service. Likely it is overwhelmed
sending millions of 5 gigabyte malware Win10 files to unwilling Win7 computers, using the same equipment and network that normally services you and I.
From Microsoft’s perspective, the updates you want are an extremely low priority. They do not want you updating Windows 7. They want you replacing it with Windows 10.
There is no reason to do this upgrade unless you are a real adventurer. Windows 7 will be supported through January 2020.
Excellent read http://www.infoworld.com/article/2953655/microsoft-windows/windows-10-review-hold-off-if-you-use-windows-7.html#tk.ifw-infsb
I have seen cases where the green bar continued overnight and finally found the updates, then spent many more hours downloading those updates.
If yours is a notebook PC, turn off sleep and hibernate functions. Leave WU running at least overnight, maybe longer
Stop trying to fix your computer. You are likely to make a mess of it for no benefit.
Trying to fix your computer may be pointless, when the problem is your supplier. Sort of like taking a part your car’s engine because it does not start, when the problem is the gas tank is empty.
One tip: Check to see if the four services needed to run Windows Update are running, just after starting Windows Update.
Start, All Programs, Accessories, right-click on Command prompt choose Run as administrator. In the black box type net start bits, it should be already started. Now net start wuauserv; net start bits, net start cryptsvc If any one of them responds that
it is now starting, then the service was NOT running. DO NOT RESTART THE COMPUTER OR Windows Update.
Now, your challenge is to be PATIENT. This may take many hours. If you have waited at least 6 hours, then you may have a problem.
If any one of the services, were not already started, type services in the text box above the start globe and find each of those services in the list (list below). You can do this while Windows Update is running.
Background Intelligent Transfer Services, Cryptographic services, Windows Installer, Windows Update.
They should be shown as Automatic or Automatic (delayed). If they are not, double-click on each as necessary, and change setting to Automatic
As soon as you get the first list of updates, check this list. Right-click and hide any that are on your Updates list that correspond to this one, BEORE you click the download and update button. You do not want any of these updates:
KB3035583
KB2952664
KB2977759
KB3021917
KB3075249
KB3080149
KB3083710
KB3083324
KB3090045
KB3112343
KB3022345
KB3068708
http://www.canadiantech.info/for-techies/windows-update-not-working/
Windows Update not working
This is a very common problem lately. In most cases, the following rather simple and quick process works.
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows8_1-update/windows-update-problem-error-code-80080008/de8114b5-1487-4b31-9b28-f11974718df1?auth=1
This thread essentially lists a series of commands that I have found usually fixes WU.
Start, All Programs, Accessories, Right-click on Command prompt, Choose Run as administrator, OK. Type the following in the black box:
- net stop wuauserv
- net stop cryptSvc
- net stop bits
- net stop msiserver
- ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
- ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old
- net start wuauserv
- net start cryptSvc
- net start bits
- net start msiserver
- pause
- Exit
Type services in the text box above the start globe. Find each of the following and ensure they are set to automatic: Background Intelligent Transfer services, Cryptographic, Windows Installer, Windows Update. Double click on each item and choose automatic.
Now re-start Windows Update. Do NOT restart Windows. Be very, very patient, it will likely take a long time.
If that does not produce results, you should download and run the following. It takes a very long time to run as well.
If the above fails, use one of the following:
The 64 bit version Microsoft’s “System Readiness tool”
https://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/download/details.aspx?id=20858
The 32 bit version.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=3132
http://www.canadiantech.info/for-techies/prevent-windows-10/
Prevent Windows 10
January 29, 2016
Microsoft has turned a decades-long respected process — Windows Update — into a malware distribution system. It is for all intents and purposes forcing innocent and content Windows 7 computer users into “upgrading” to its new Windows 10 version. It promises
to allow return to Windows 7 within 30 days. That return process is flawed and leaves your computer virtually unusable and requires re-installation of Windows 7. For some owners without a re-usable Microsoft product key or a factory restore partition on
their computers, it results in a useless thing that used to be a computer.
Windows 10 is a completely new and very different Windows. Nothing like anything you have used before.
- It is primarily an advertising/sales vehicle. That’s the keen motivation and reason it is free.
- By adopting Windows 10, you sacrifice any privacy — essentially, anything on your computer is Microsoft’s and its partner’s to use as they see fit.
- Windows Update becomes non-optional. You, as owner of your system no longer have control over what happens to your computer. Microsoft will re-make Windows (on your computer) into what serves its purposes without asking your permission or opinion.
- Windows 10 as a system is still full of un-fulfilled promises and bugs. Many of your programs will not run on Windows 10. In fact, the “upgrade” process removes some.
So, if you like Windows 7, and most do very much so, I advise you to reject Windows 10 for the foreseeable future. Be advised that Microsoft has committed to support Windows 7 until at least January, 2020. Most of your current computers will last that
long.
You must adopt a protective stance to prevent your Windows 7 system from becoming something you do not want.
I advise my clients to change the Windows Update Setting to Never check for updates. Once a month, on the 2nd Tuesday, they will get an email from me advising to manually start WU and then hide every update except for ones specifically
labeled Security. In other words, only security updates will be applied. In all of 2015, not a single update that was not security, was something that improved Windows 7.
http://www.infoworld.com/article/3016033/microsoft-windows/enough-already-microsoft-pushes-windows-nagware-patch-kb-3035583-for-sixth-time.html
Some may scoff at this idea. Well they are incorrect. Never means you are never giving Microsoft a chance to decide what you download and install. It does NOT mean you will never update. The difference is that now you take control and the responsibility
of updating of Windows and Office.
Some may believe that Microsoft would not do such a stupid thing.
You must read Woody Leonhard (one of the most respected writers in the trade)
http://www.infoworld.com/article/2983777/microsoft-windows/how-to-clean-the-windows-10-crapware-off-your-windows-7-or-81-pc.html?nsdr=true
Woody calls the Windows 10 download “crapware.” Woody’s advice is that if you have Windows 7, keep it, you are better off by far.
If you see the Windows flag on the bottom right of your screen, chances are pretty high, your computer already has the Win10 files. Even if you do not, it may be on your computer shortly anyway. Here are instructions on how to rid yourself of it:
First download and run GWX Control panel. A free app:
http://ultimateoutsider.com/downloads/
http://www.infoworld.com/article/2979572/microsoft-windows/gwx-stopper-an-easy-way-to-permanently-delete-get-windows-10-nagware-in-windows-7-and-81.html
It will allow you to prevent any future operating system upgrades and delete downloaded Win10 files, but it will
not remove any of Microsoft’s installed or attempts to install spyware.
This process works, but it only works if you do all the steps and do them in order.
- Take Windows Update off automatic — Never check for updates
- Windows Update, Installed updates, WAIT a long time till you see the green bar complete its long trip to the right
- Now, search for each of the listed updates, uninstall them. You must wait until the list is re-created each time.
- If there are others you want to uninstall, click Later
- Then, clear the search box and after the list is again displayed, enter another KB number.
- Restart the PC. It may take a long time to process this.
If you choose “check for updates, but let me choose whether to download and install them”, Microsoft will download “important” updates like KB3035583 to your computer. It will be pre-checked — selected. Unless you check Windows Update (WU) and discover
this BEFORE you shut down, it will install it during the shut-down process. Hiding accomplishes nothing.
This is more than annoying. It goes way beyond that. It is underhanded, dishonest and just plain wrong for Microsoft to do this. There is no offer to accept or refuse. There is no informed consent. There is not even an idea of what it is your getting
and what the result is if you change your mind.
List of updates that if already installed should be removed:
KB3035583
KB2952664
KB2977759
KB3021917
KB3075249
KB3080149
KB3083710
KB3083324
KB3090045
KB3112343
KB3022345
KB3068708
