Windows Update checking forever

nginmu · 03 May 2016

Hi, I have a fresh install of Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 x64 on a Dell Inspiron 1570 laptop.

When I invoke Windows Update via the start menu, it begins checking for updates. It then seems to keep checking forever. The longest I have left it is around 2 days undisturbed, with no updates identified or downloaded.

I've tried allsorts of fixes found on the 'net on previous clean installs, never had any success. The closest I got to success was trying to use a third party updater 'Autopatcher' - this program successfully downloaded a number of updates but when it came to installing them, it hang on each update at 98%. Each time I found that killing 'wusa.exe' process, allowed each individual update to complete and autopatcher to move onto trying to install the next update. Unfortunately this did not result in any updates actually ending up installed.

I have a number of tools downloaded to a usb stick now (assorted MS fixits, latest version of standalone WU installer etc etc) but I wondered, rather than just randomly stabbing away in the dark again in random order, if someone who knows a bit about this sort of problem could help guide me through diagnosis in a coherent manner, starting from a virgin install.

Thanks for any help.

[edit]

I've changed tack - after reading yet more reports that this is happening to many many users of Windows 7, I decided to try upgrading to Windows 10 via https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/soft...load/windows10

Unfortunately a similar problem seems to be occurring - download and verification complete OK, but the Windows 10 installer then goes to checking for updates interminably :-(

ThrashZone · 03 May 2016

Hi and welcome to SevenForums,
Review this,
Reinstalled twice, but Windows still won't update

nginmu · 03 May 2016

Thanks.

Right now this second, I'm leaving it running the Windows 10 installer. It's gone through all the initial screens no problem and is sitting 'checking for updates' at the moment. If it does succeed within a few hours I'll leave it as Windows 10 and call it a day.

I'm worrying though that even the Windows 10 upgrade is running into problems using the update mechanism in Windows 7 though? If that seems to be the case after a few hours or maybe overnight, I'll fresh-reinstall Windows 7 again, work my way through the thread you've directed me to, and report back.

ThrashZone · 03 May 2016

Hi,
As far as win-10 goes ?
There have been a lot of issues from April's round in windows 10 too
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/w...8-b5c5a69be530

nginmu · 03 May 2016

Thanks for the headsup.

I just went out on a limb and chanced killing the Windows Update service in task manager whilst the Windows 10 installer was sat 'checking for updates'.

This does seem to have nudged the Windows 10 installer onto the next screen, 'checking PC' and thence onto the license agreement. I don't know if this is a harmless gambit & I can just recheck for updates later in win 10, or whether killing wuaserv in the manner I did will end up causing problems..

ThrashZone · 03 May 2016

Hi,
No telling :)
Worst case you'd just have to start over
Figure out if you want to load win-7 or 10
This is SevenForums by the way :)

Activate Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums

johnny20 · 03 May 2016

What is your update client version?

iamnewborn · 03 May 2016

Have you read this post?

Windows update never stops checking for updates

torchwood · 03 May 2016

I suspect its because he's just installed a new hard drive, and thats Knocked out the Activation part of the licenceing.
If you run this we can check
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=52012

Roy

nginmu · 03 May 2016

Thanks for all your help & suggestions folks. I ended up in a working copy of Windows 10, which seems to be updating okay. So much as I prefer Win7 to 10, I'm just gona leave it at that and stay on 10.