Windows 7: Windows updates won't install.

Yep very similar to a fix I have used in Vista and now have done same in 7

1: Go to Administrative Tools/Services, and stop the Windows Update service.
2: Then go to the folder C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution and delete ALL of the files and folders.
3: Then go back to Services and restart the Windows Update service which will recreate ALL of those folders again.
4: Then manually run the Update Service and everything should work. If you don't know how to manually start updates, reboot & Auto Updates should kick in.

The history doesn't show until you get some on board but the installed ones are there in "Installed Updates"

harleynut97, you certainly pointed me in the right direction with this info so thank you; however in my case on an Acer Aspire 5349 laptop it was KB2536275 (security update)

Bottom line is if you have issues like this, only select one or two updates at a time and continue that way until you narrow down which one(s) is causing the problems for you.

UltraNutZ

exact same problem which was really annoying

thanks to harleynut97 for the solution, worked perfectly.

Good to see it fixed well done but don't forget to get the Readiness tool as Koolkat said folks.

Well I'm happy to hear the fix has worked for many people and I would definitely look into the readyness tool mentioned above. But I do want to make sure it is known, that I just did a bunch of googling and searching at the MS website and found someone elses post who used the method I noted above. But I am glad it has worked for some people who were experiencing the same problem as I was. - Carl

Yeap harlenut the one you / anyone needs need is http://www.microsoft.com/en-au/downl....aspx?id=20858 I was put onto it a fair while ago while having problems with one update in particular I seem to remember it was something to do with an Essentials app.

John (old Yamahanut LOL!!)

I too would like to thank Harleynut97/CARL! I was stalled at that 15% failure and reverting loop for a couple weeks. Tried troubleshooting the updater more than a few times with no success. So happy to have stumbled across this page and Carl's suggestion - which worked on my laptop - I'm back in business again - all updates have now installed successfully. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

Hello guys... I am new in forums.... I am facing the same problem as Gozoman... can't install updates... I am using windows home premium 64 bit too, i have a laptop sony vaio vgn-fw21z... THe point is that i have tried all the solutions that you suggested...but i can't even see which updates are to installed....When I go to control panel---->system and security----> windows update...update centre doesn't show any specific updates e.g. kb... It only says "REstart your computer to install important updates".... This also happens when I am going to check for updates.... Then computer restarts loading configuring windows...and after a while Failure Configuring Windows Updates, Retrieving Changes.... I really don't know what to do... I've made a lot of research on that issue... Most problems were solved by installing updates manually from users but in my case I don't have that option... Biggest problem is that i can't install net framework4 which is vital for installing other programms(autocad)... If anyone has any suggestion it would be very helpful...Laptop is just formatted from vista 32 to home prmium 7x64...all drivers are installed nothing conflicts in device manager.Thanks for your time.

Hey Zalps don't know if it will help but have you tried the Readiness tool?

Download: System Update Readiness Tool for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB947821) [September 2012] - Microsoft Download Center - Download Details < fairly large but worth a try.

Hello...thanks for your immediate response...Yes I've tried that too...Many things I 've tried them more than once... I have even searched manually kb's from microsoft support centre...But when i tried to install "The update is not applicable to your computer" message appeared...Netframework4 is my biggest headache cause without it I can't install vital programm for my work... My laptot is clean, I used Vista 32bit and thought installing WIn7x64 would be better for greater performance...and it is better...but I've never imagined that kind of problems...