Solved Windows Update stuck at Checking for updates?

[HankKingsley]

I have a Toshiba T235D-S1340 running Windows 7 Home Premium version 6.1.7601 SP1 Build 7601 currently on my bench, trying to work out extreme slow-downs for a friend.

While I have seemed to have solved the slow-down issues, when running Windows Update, it seems to just spin it's wheels indefinitely while "Checking for updates..."

I am running Windows Update from the system control panel, not a browser.

I tried the steps detailed in this thread...

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/91738-windows-update-reset.html

...running the third batch file as administrator, restarting when it's done. Did not resolve the issue. I also tried running the Windows Diagnostic utility as described in that same thread, and it did find and fix several problems, but Windows Update still seems to sit checking for updates for hours, never completing. The HDD activity light does go on and off somewhat furiously during this time.

I did notice that there are very many failed updates in the update history list before running the .BAT or Windows Diagnostic utility.

Any ideas? How long should I typically let Windows Update run before giving up hope?

Any help would be appreciated. I wasn't sure if it was better to post a new thread for this or post in the thread linked above, figured a new thread made more sense.

Thanks.

 

[UsernameIssues]

> How long should I typically let Windows Update run before giving up hope?
Typically, 20 minutes.
Currently, 20+ hours.

 

[HankKingsley]

Of course, as soon as I posted this, Windows update completed with 65 important updates and 3 optional (took about 2 hours to complete it's Checking). I suppose it just took an eon because this user had never once updated Windows (!!).

But one related question, I never get why some updates are unchecked, like Microsoft .NET Framework for Windows 7 x64-based Systems (KB2901983) is listed, but unchecked, as is KB3021917.

 

[UsernameIssues]

Re: unchecked updates.
See Susan's answer here:
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...nchecked/8ac2f5fb-7e9b-4de5-b137-0737d1f4cc04

 

[HankKingsley]

Thanks a million for the replies, have a great day/night.

 

[aoetalks]

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3102810 should speed things up. After installing this it took only a few minutes to scan for updates on a fresh Win7 SP1 install.

 

[Ramon Zarat]

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3102810 should speed things up. After installing this it took only a few minutes to scan for updates on a fresh Win7 SP1 install.

KB3102810 solved my issue on a fresh new win7 install on my dell laptop with window update stuck forever and eating 100% CPU one 1 core. Installed, rebooted and it took only like 1 minute, maybe 2 to give me my update list. 206 updates! lol

NOTE: Tried the double reset method and connecting the laptop directly in my router with a cable, but it didn't work.

Thanks!

 

[Trinity343]

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3102810 should speed things up. After installing this it took only a few minutes to scan for updates on a fresh Win7 SP1 install.

So i tried to go and download this hotfix and even it will not install. it just sits there saying it's "searching for updates on this computer" and then just sits there.....

any ideas on how to get it installed so i can have my actual updates download quicker?

 

[UsernameIssues]

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3102810 should speed things up. After installing this it took only a few minutes to scan for updates on a fresh Win7 SP1 install.

So i tried to go and download this hotfix and even it will not install. it just sits there saying it's "searching for updates on this computer" and then just sits there.....

any ideas on how to get it installed so i can have my actual updates download quicker?

If this is a fresh installation of the W7 OS, then after installing service pack 1 (which might have already been integrated into the installation media) you should have been prompted to install an update to the Windows Update Agent*. If you installed that update and started your search for new updates, them it might be best to reset Windows Update. See option three of this tutorial.

After that reset, manually install the replacement for KB3102810 --- KB3138612.

If the installation of KB3138612 gets stuck on searching for stuff, just set the computer not to sleep and let it work for a day or two.

*now called Windows Update Client.