Windows update failing to install

I was able to successfully update by manually updating (it failed three times trying an automatic update) without other programs running (it updated fine with background processes running).

Control Panel > System and Security > Windows Update

Then check for updates and once it has detected and downloaded the update, install it. It will prompt you for a restart after installation is complete.

Edit: This worked for my desktop, but does not seem to work for my laptop, still getting a failure in the update history on that one.

Let's hope Microsoft figures out what is wrong with this update soon !

I'm getting tired of my laptop trying to install this update  several times a day !

I think I can help you out with that. Follow this steps:

1. Reboot computer.

2. Once your desktop is available, launch "Services". You can get there by clicking on the start menu and searching for "Services". It looks like a cogwheel.

3. Stop the windows update service (it should be at the end of the list).

4. Launch the installation of the KB patch.

Done.

If you have any problem, please let me know :)

PS: I have had to use that "trick" for many manual patch installs.

Yep. I'm having the same problem too. The funny thing is that the update is correctly installed (just checked it out on "Programs and Features/View installed updates".

I tried to fix the windows update with this tool and now it's even worse... it gets stuck at "Searching for updates. After running the tool it gave me this Windows Update error: 0x800F081F

I'll keep you posted if I find anything else.

I have been having the same issue, I tried several things, but now it appears to be fixed/resolved on my system.

What I did that appears to have fixed it:

1. I selected update KB3177467, right clicked and selected "Hide Update".
2. I re-checked for updates and installed the 'optional' updates that were found.
3. After rebooting, I checked for updates a third time and KB3177467 was no longer in the list of available updates, nor was it in the list of hidden updates. 

List of optional updates that were found and installed on my system:

• October, 2016 Preview of Monthly Quality Rollup for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB3192403)
• Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB3102429)
• Reliability Rollup for Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5.2, 4.6 and 4.6.1 on Windows 7 and Server 2008 R2 for x64 (KB3179930)
• Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB3080079)
• Definition Update for Microsoft Security Essentials - KB2310138 (Definition 1.231.39.0)

It appears that one of these 'optional' update must have corrected the issue.  Otherwise, no idea what resolved it but at least this issue appears to be fixed now on my system.

I hope this helps someone.