Critical update downloaded but hung on install

[jakebe]

I received 10 Windows 7 critical updates on 12/11. When they started to install everything seemed ok but it hung on "Installing 1 of 10". I clicked to cancel the install and it appears to cancel but when I click on the icon on the tool bar by the clock it's showing it's still installing. I tried stopping it from device manager and the end task takes it off the running application list but clicking the icon shows it's still trying to install. I attempted to reboot my computer and it won't let me reboot until the install is complete. I had to forced the computer to turn off and then turned it back on and it goes right back to trying to install again. Clicking on "Installed Updates" in Windows Update does not show that it has been installed and therefore I can't uninstall it from there. How do I turn this darn thing off, fix the installation and get my computer back? HELP!!

Thank you,
Jake

 

[jakebe]

Bump!! I need help on this. Windows has hijacked my computer. I'm afraid if I turn the power off to the computer in order to reboot I'm going to cause even more problems. Thanks!

 

[Layback Bear]

You could try this.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...re-points-manually-extract-files-folders.html

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/700-system-restore.html

 

[jakebe]

Unfortunately when I open System Restore it's only giving me the option to restore back to 12/14/12. If I click on show more restore points it shows one additional restore point for a System Image in April. I would have though there would be more options. I'm not sure what would happen if I ran the April System Image restore. I ran a restore just before this update hung because I was having some other issues that probably resulted from this corrupted download so now I guess I don't have access to any restore points prior to 12/14 other than the one from April which I'm afraid to uses since so much time has elapsed.

 

[Layback Bear]

The problem I searching my 3 brain cells for the answer. If I understand you correctly a restart or a cold boot, (complete shut down and start up) does not stop the update. Try this; change your Windows Update settings to manual; Check for Up Dates and let me choose to download and install.
Let us know if that helps.

 

[jakebe]

The problem is that the install process started but hung up. As you probably know if Windows is installing an update it will not let you shut down or reboot. You get a warning message when you go to shut down or reboot saying DO NOT TURN THE COMPUTER OFF OR UNPLUG IT UNTIL THE UPDATE FINISHES. Well my problem is it never finishes to allow me to reboot. Out of desperation, I did manually turn the power off to the computer even though it said not to but when I restarted and said to start Windows normally it rebooted with no obvious problems but the download started back up again so I'm back to where I was. I will try your suggestion to change the setting to manual and see what happens and let you know.

 

[jakebe]

That didn't work either. After changing the setting when I click "check for updates" I get a message saying "Windows is already checking, downloading or installing updates".

 

[Layback Bear]

After you change the Update setting try to reboot or a cold shut down and start up. Then check and see if the settings you saved stayed as you set them.
You could also try Process Explorer to find and stop the Updates.
Process Explorer
How long do you let it try to install the updates?

 

[jakebe]

That Process Explorer link doesn't work.

I'm scared to keep turning the power off. I did it once without any obvious problems but I'm afraid my luck will run out. Is that not going to cause me to have corrupted files?

 

[jakebe]

Sorry I just tried the link again and it worked that time.

 

[Layback Bear]

Here is another option. Set Windows Updates to Never Check. Then close Windows Up Dates. Go have a cup of coffee and come back and see if the update is complete or stopped.
--------------------------
What anti virus are you using?

 

[jakebe]

Coffee is finished but the update in still installing. I'm running McAfee Antivirus Plus.

 

[NoelDP]

http://www.sevenforums.com/windows-...4840-windows-update-posting-instructions.html - please post the requested information.

 

[Layback Bear]

As you can see we have some help.
I don't know if McAfee is causing your problems but I do know it causes many, many problems of all kinds. I would remove McAfee using McAfee removal tool found on line. Then install MSE.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/security-essentials-download
Please follow Noels instructions.

 

[jakebe]

Ok I'm starting his instructions. After you asked about the virus software I noticed that McAfee was also showing an update to be downloading but it too was apparently hung. I uninstalled McAfee but it had no effect on the Windows update installation issue....it's still showing downloading 1 of 10. I'll get back to you with the results of the other instructions.

 

[jakebe]

The System Update Readiness Tool won't install. I attempted to save it to the desktop but after downloading it wouldn't install. I got a message that the "Hotfix for Windows" failed to install (KB947821). I then tried to run without saving and I got the same message when I tried to install it.

 

[NoelDP]

Please check the Windows Updates Install history, and let us know what the error message for the install was.

 

[jakebe]

There are no error messages. The update history shows updates were downloaded on 12/11 but if I go to the "uninstall" updates there are no updates shown to have been installed that day.... which is true. That's when it hung up trying to install update 1 of 10. I would be glad for someone to remote access my computer to see if you can figure this out!

 

[jakebe]

Attached are screenshots of the update screens and the CBS file that was created.

 

[jakebe]

I don't know what we did but after sending you the screenshots and file I tried rebooting so I could get my virus scanner reinstalled and the computer shut down and rebooted normally. My setting are still set at never check for Windows updates but as of now it's not downloading or trying to update. Thank you guys for your help!

Jake