svchost.exe High CPU usage 98% of at least one CPU.

Okay I installed kb3172605 without removing kb3161608. It's too early to tell if there are any problems but I have not noticed any issues yet.

Update: Removed kb3161608 then installed kb3172605 on my machine at work. (Not same machine as above) Seems okay.

EDIT:
KB3020639 was not installed on my work machine but is installed on my home machine.

Both machines work in terms of searching for and downloading Windows Updates with little delay.

The only difference:

On my work machine there are no update notifications in system tray "Click here to see which updates were installed" for example.

I do get those notifications on my machine at home.

Well I have just got back to this and am so confused you wouldn't believw it. Not sure whether to go ahead now! As I was having trouble downloding the recommended updates I thought I might try to download them on my laptop then save them to a stick and install from that! Is that feasible and what should be my next move? I have done nothing since post #18
HAve just tried downloading one of the updates to my laptop but get the same "Can't Find Page" mssage as before! Even more confused now!

If you want to skip everything and just install the latest Windows Update Client as others have done you can download and install this update:

MS Update Catalog KB3172065

Add the update to basket then view basket and download.

Use Internet Explorer to download it into a folder on your desktop then install it by opening that folder and double clicking on the downloaded file. A reboot will be needed after installation.

Once installed and rebooted keep an eye on Task Manager and wait for svchost.exe (netsvcs) and trustedinstaller.exe process to finish. That might take time. Then run a manual check for updates.

You need to use Internet Explorer to download from the link I just posted.

Thanks for the fast response. I have got this far but the search has been going on for over ten minutes! Is this normal?

Looking further into this problem I found this. Seems one update got cancelled and three failed. Could this be part of the problem?

RE: Installer taking forever. Try stoppping Windows Update Service via services.msc

Start> Run

type

services.msc

Press Enter

Scroll down to Windows Update Service and stop it. Then install the update.

RE: Failed updates. Try downloading the standalone installers for those from MS Update Catalogue or alternatively wait until KB3172065 has installed. After a reboot and update check see what shows up in the list of available updates.

Yep the easiest way to manually install an update is to download it anywhere then disconnect from the internet then run it :)

With failed updates you might want to reset the update history and services with Shawn's option 3
Windows Update - Reset

Thank you. Success. I have installed KB3172065.
All four of the failed and cancelled update are in the "Updates Available" after a manual check. Will attempt installing, should i delete the faile ones first?