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Windows Update hangs on "checking for updates". Haven't been able to install updates since Oct. 2011

Hey there everyone,

I'm having an issue with Windows Update on my Windows 7 64-bit computer. My last most recent update check was on 10/3/2011 and my last actual update was on 9/29/2011. What is basically happening is that Windows is telling me that I need to check for updates. I click on Check for updates, and it basically acts like it is checking for updates, but never moves beyond that. I can leave it checking for hours, and nothing will happen. It won't get me to the screen where I can actually select updates, nor does Windows even acknowledge that I checked for updates.

I've already tried using the Windows Update Fix tool, but there was no success with that at all. I thought that maybe it was my firewall or internet settings, and it's not that either. Does anyone have any suggestions. Thanks!

Peter

Answer
Answer

Hi,

Try the following methods

Method 1:

1. Click Start
2. Type ‘cmd’ in the search bar.
3. Right click Command prompt and choose “Run as Administrator”
4. At the command prompt, type the following, commands and then press ENTER after each command:
a. net stop wuauserv

b. net stop bits

c. net stop cryptsvc
 
Please do not close the Command Prompt window.

Method 2:
 
Rename folders pertaining to Windows Update.

At the command prompt, type the following commands, and then press Enter after each command:
a) ren %systemroot%\System32\Catroot2 Catroot2.old
      
b) ren %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
 
At the command prompt, type the following, commands and then press ENTER after each command:

a) net start wuauserv

b) net start bits

c) net start cryptsvc
 
Close the Command Prompt window and check the issue if issue reoccurs

Vinod Archak
Forum Moderator

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Question Info

Last updated April 29, 2024 Views 567,969 Applies to: