How to fix "Windows could not search for new update" error?

[shinho73]

I just installed Windows 7 Ultimate x64 on a very old Acer Aspire One 722. It is running way better than Windows 10 or Debian distros. The only issue that I'm having is the Windows Update. I keep getting "Windows could not search for new update". Is this because they stopped supporting it? Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

[billmcct]

I would suggest using the Simplix Pack. Will install all updates up tp Sept 10 2020 without all the telemetry crap.
Please read carefully.

Simplix Pack to update Live Win7 System/ Integrate hotfixes into Win7 distribution | My Digital Life Forums

 

[Snick]

shinho73

See if I can help you.

Microsoft is still supplying updates for Windows 7 to Jan 2020 without End Service Updates (ESU)

Please download, unzip and run the below batch script file
Rename Software Distribution Folder .old .zip
It will turn off your Windows Update Service, rename SoftwareDistribution Folder to SoftwareDistribution.old, restart Win Update Service and restart your computer.
Then try win update again.

Snick

 

[shinho73]

The script did not fix the problem. Thank you for your help though.

 

[Snick]

shinho73

OK! Doesn't always fix Win Update. Not easy sometimes!

Where did you obtain the Win7 ISO or DVD please?

Now lets check to see is Win update services are running on your machine
Click rb:, in searchbox type services.msc and click it
Select Windows Update from the list, double click it.
Change the startup type to Automatic if it is not set
Click on Start button, (if the start button is not highlighted click on Stop and then click on Start)
Click on Apply, OK.
Do the same steps for Cryptographic Services and Background Intelligent Transfer Service.
Were those services running? If not and you started them, restart your computer.

Try Win update again. If it doesn't work still, and that may be the case.

Lets check for corrupt or missing system files
Please run sfc /scannow from administrative CMD
Click rb: in searchbox type CMD, right-click it when it appears and choose Run as Administrator
at > type sfc /scannow yes there is a space between c and / or copy and paste it.
Try Win update again. If it doesn't work still, and that may be the case.

Would you please download and run AutoSURTx64 from my OneDrive.

The program will find errors and attempt (operative word) to fix most of them. If you peruse the CheckSUR.log which you can open in notepad or notepad++ you will see the results. (F) is what needs to be fixed and if it is followed by (Fix), well, it is fixed.


When AutoSURTx64 completes, CBS Folder will appear on your desktop, please delete everything except CBS.log and CheckSUR.log, zip/compress the CBS Folder & post. Be advised our upload limit for Zipped/Compressed Folders is 4MB!

You may have to separate the files, zip/compress them individually and post or in the alternative, upload to a cloud storage such as OneDrive or Google Drive.

I have 450,00+ replacement folders and files if needed. If there are registry errors, may need to Repair Install. Piece of cake, I do them all the time.

FYI: recently I installed Win7x64 Home Premium and win update was broken, had to perform a Repair Install to fix it.

Snick

 

[Volume Z]

Is this because they stopped supporting it?

They stopped supporting Windows 7 RTM.

Install Service Pack 1.

Microsoft Update Catalog

Regards, VZ

 

[Snick]

Volume Z

What leads you to belive SP1 isn't installed.
I asked OP where Win7x64 Ultimate was obtained.
Should include SP1.

Snick

 

[Volume Z]

You're dead wrong.

Windows 7 Update Error 80072EE2 - Microsoft Community

 

[Snick]

Volume Z

You're a windows update expert aeh?

OP didn't say what the error code is, could be several including the one you posted, & didn't say where the Win7 Ultimate came from.

Why all the hate and discontent?

Geez!

Snick

 

[Volume Z]

Volume Z

You're a windows update expert aeh?

I know that support for Windows 7 RTM has ended, and you don't.

Is there any posting on this forum without getting prosecuted by you at all?

 

[Snick]

I know that support for Windows 7 RTM has ended, and you don't.

Is there any posting on this forum without getting prosecuted by you at all?

I had to wait a bit to respond. Again, you are terse and disrespectful! Reap what you sow!

You don't know me, or what I know. And yes RTM support is done & has been since April 2013. The Win7 ISOs I have x32 & x64 include SP1.

Nicely responding & explaining would go a long, long way VZ!!! We are here to provide free help to others & hopefully EVERYONE learns a thing or two along the way.

I asked OP with no reply: "Where did you obtain the Win7 ISO or DVD please?"

Snick

 

[Volume Z]

"Where did you obtain the Win7 ISO or DVD please?"

Like this points you to SP1 is missing?

You are not even aware that this topic is about SHA-1 endpoint support being discontinued last month for Windows Vista, XP, 2000 and Windows 7 RTM.

Also I suggest you calm down a bit and stop trying to outpost me.

 

[Snick]

Like this points you to SP1 is missing?

You are not even aware that this topic is about SHA-1 endpoint support being discontinued last month for Windows Vista, XP, 2000 and Windows 7 RTM.

Also I suggest you calm down a bit and stop trying to outpost me.

Not trying to out post you. You don't seem be respectful with your posts. Simply pointing out why you get what you get when you post like that.

Yes I'm aware of that too Z! Just responding to you!

Lengthy post by Shawn on Sevenforums regarding SHA-1!

Snick

 

[iko22]

Like this points you to SP1 is missing?

You are not even aware that this topic is about SHA-1 endpoint support being discontinued last month for Windows Vista, XP, 2000 and Windows 7 RTM.

Also I suggest you calm down a bit and stop trying to outpost me.

Sorry VolumeZ, if you could tone it down a little here. Snick arrived on the post before you had and he knows what he is doing, so please heed a little of your own advise and refrain from such competitive posting. Thank you.

 

[Volume Z]

Kindly note that I didn't address Snick in the first place.

 

[Snick]

Sorry VolumeZ, if you could tone it down a little here ... so please heed a little of your own advise and refrain from such competitive posting. Thank you.

Agree with the refrain iko22.
Volume Z you sure did. you're incorrigible!
Started with "You're dead wrong." Not at all nice. My opinion.
Done as far as I'm concerned.
Snick

 

[Volume Z]

Volume Z

What leads you to belive SP1 isn't installed.

So that's me addressing you?

Lengthy post by Shawn on Sevenforums regarding SHA-1!

Show me that one.

 

[iko22]

Hello shinho73
To answer your question, Microsoft have stopped supporting Windows 7 but you should still be able to activate a licence and update the computer with the available updates, automatically.

... The only issue that I'm having is the Windows Update. I keep getting "Windows could not search for new update". Is this because they stopped supporting it? Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

The best advise on this thread is to determine whether your current installation has Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1). To do that, could you confirm if SP1 is on the installation media? If you were using an ancient installer DVD, then it is likely that the SP1 is not already on the disk.
Secondly Windows Updater itself has been updated, so you may need to update the Servicing Stack for Windows Update from Servicing Stack Update for Windows 7 SP1 and Server 2008 . Only this update requires SP1 as a prerequisite.
The alternative to updating teh servicing stack yourself would be to use Simplix. The link to Simplix is on post #2.

Hope that helps.

 

[Snick]

iko22

Nicely stated! That's right on point!


Simplix is good, but still several restarts that are required and it goes directly into checking for updates again. A feature I don't particularly care for.

DISM++ link it to their website, is also an avenue to pursue. If you download from their website, you may have to add wsusscn3.cab to the Config folder if you receive an error. You don't need to extract the contents of the cab, it works as is. Depending on the amount of RAM you have, you may not be able to install all the updates you choose.

Nice feature of DISM++ is it indicates problematic KBs in orange, lets you decide what to install, however, it doesn't provide Microsoft product updates such as Office, etc. It also has other useful functions.

Snick

 

[Snick]

So that's me addressing you?


Show me that one.

Be nice VZ. Politeness is always virtue. :sarc:

Yes, I knew SHA-1 has not been supported as of August 2019 due to security concerns!

Google is your friend most of the time VZ.

Per your request:

Windows 7: SHA-1 Windows content to be retired August 3, 2020
SHA-2 signing enforcement on Windows 7 is almost here
SHA-1 Windows content to be retired August 3, 2020 - Microsoft Tech Community - 1544373

They also appear in Sevenforum's new posts.

Snick