Solved What fixed my windows update problems

[Viscon]

Like many users I suffered these issues: high CPU and RAM usage by svchost.exe, hours of checking windows updates and being stuck while downloading them.
After weeks of trying solutions I've found this one that worked.

Here's what I did:
- stopped WinUpdate service and installed KB3138612 OFFLINE
- rebooted
- stopped WinUpade again and installed KB3145739 and KB3153199, both OFFLINE
- rebooted

Then I checked for new updates and it took just about 10 mins.
Downloading new updates went right away and no more high CPU and RAM usage by svchost.
It's been 5 days now and so far problems are gone.

Hopefully this might help.

 

[thelma]

Thanks , have made note of that !

Cheers,
Thelma

 

[tjs999]

I was having this problem. Your fix seems to work. Thanks.

 

[FeinDenz]

All 3 D-Loads said "not applicable to this computer". Disappointing, but many thanks for quick tips. Don't know what "installed OFFLINE" means though. Maybe makes a big difference, e.g. suddenly IS suitable for this computer?!

I'll keep looking for Forum replies, thank you.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Like many users I suffered these issues: high CPU and RAM usage by svchost.exe, hours of checking windows updates and being stuck while downloading them.
After weeks of trying solutions I've found this one that worked.

Here's what I did:
- stopped WinUpdate service and installed KB3138612 OFFLINE
- rebooted
- stopped WinUpade again and installed KB3145739 and KB3153199, both OFFLINE
- rebooted

Then I checked for new updates and it took just about 10 mins.
Downloading new updates went right away and no more high CPU and RAM usage by svchost.
It's been 5 days now and so far problems are gone.

Hopefully this might help.

I have KB3138612 hidden and on my Specialized High Intensity Training List. The other two I installed the Saturday after they came out since I could find no harm in them. Even without the hidden, uninstalled one, I haven't been having any problems with with Windows updates.

 

[Viscon]

All 3 D-Loads said "not applicable to this computer". Disappointing, but many thanks for quick tips. Don't know what "installed OFFLINE" means though. Maybe makes a big difference, e.g. suddenly IS suitable for this computer?!

I'll keep looking for Forum replies, thank you.

"Offline" means updates installed from hard drive (first downloaded and saved) with WinUpdate service temporarily stopped.

As for "not applicable to this computer" updates, did you install win 7 Service Pack 1?

 

[tjs999]

I got the "not applicable" message for KB3138612. The other two updates downloaded to my machine and installed. Did you try all 3 updates or quit after the first came up as not applicable?

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

All 3 D-Loads said "not applicable to this computer". Disappointing, but many thanks for quick tips. Don't know what "installed OFFLINE" means though. Maybe makes a big difference, e.g. suddenly IS suitable for this computer?!

I'll keep looking for Forum replies, thank you.

"Offline" means updates installed from hard drive (first downloaded and saved) with WinUpdate service temporarily stopped...

On that note, now that I know how to disable the telemetry updates embedded in the convenience rollup (thank you, Callender and ThrashZone), how does one download updates for later installation offline, then install them? Can they be installed directly to and/or from a USB thumb drive?

 

[Brds7t7]

All 3 D-Loads said "not applicable to this computer". Disappointing, but many thanks for quick tips. Don't know what "installed OFFLINE" means though. Maybe makes a big difference, e.g. suddenly IS suitable for this computer?!

I'll keep looking for Forum replies, thank you.

"Offline" means updates installed from hard drive (first downloaded and saved) with WinUpdate service temporarily stopped...

On that note, now that I know how to disable the telemetry updates embedded in the convenience rollup (thank you, Callender and ThrashZone), how does one download updates for later installation offline, then install them? Can they be installed directly to and/or from a USB thumb drive?

Hi Lady F, are you able to access the Windows update catalog site? That seems to be the only way for some updates now. I know some people are having issues with the ActiveX on that site. The sooner MS removes it, the better.
I just download any update packages I need and stick them on a flash drive. You can install them from that or just copy them over on to the new system.

 

[Viscon]

To access Windows update catalog site I use IE11.
Using Firefox gives me an error "something went wrong....." or just a blank site.

 

[Brds7t7]

I use IE11 too (for that site only) and have no issues accessing it. I don't think it's accessible with another browser as it requires the ActiveX plugin. It doesn't work when I try with Chrome.
Apparently MS is said to be removing that requirement in the next few months so it will be accessible with any browser eventually.
Even some users using IE11 have said they're unable to access it though.

Hopefully they'll remove that quickly now that they're supposedly phasing out the Download Center. Otherwise some people are going to have less options to download some updates offline.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

"Offline" means updates installed from hard drive (first downloaded and saved) with WinUpdate service temporarily stopped...

On that note, now that I know how to disable the telemetry updates embedded in the convenience rollup (thank you, Callender and ThrashZone), how does one download updates for later installation offline, then install them? Can they be installed directly to and/or from a USB thumb drive?

Hi Lady F, are you able to access the Windows update catalog site? That seems to be the only way for some updates now. I know some people are having issues with the ActiveX on that site. The sooner MS removes it, the better.
I just download any update packages I need and stick them on a flash drive. You can install them from that or just copy them over on to the new system.

I'll answer that once I someone gives me a URL to it (I'm feeling especially stupid today; rough night).

 

[Brds7t7]

Should be this one LF: https://catalog.update.microsoft.com
I can't actually access it right now though as it doesn't work on a tablet.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Should be this one LF: https://catalog.update.microsoft.com
I can't actually access it right now though as it doesn't work on a tablet.

Aparently I can but, first, I'm making an image before I install it on my computer. Be back in a few.

 

[michael diemer]

Thank you for this thread, Viscon. I had pretty much given up on updating my computer. Decided to try your method. It worked! I already had the first one installed, so I downloaded the other two. I followed your instructions. It did take an hour or so, but I'm not complaining. Great tip!

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Should be this one LF: https://catalog.update.microsoft.com
I can't actually access it right now though as it doesn't work on a tablet.

Aparently I can but, first, I'm making an image before I install it on my computer. Be back in a few.

I had updated this post but, for some weird reason, it didn't go through.

Ok, it's supposedly installed. Where is it? How do I use it? I'm so confused.

 

[Callender]

I use IE11 too (for that site only) and have no issues accessing it. I don't think it's accessible with another browser as it requires the ActiveX plugin. It doesn't work when I try with Chrome.
Apparently MS is said to be removing that requirement in the next few months so it will be accessible with any browser eventually.
Even some users using IE11 have said they're unable to access it though.

Hopefully they'll remove that quickly now that they're supposedly phasing out the Download Center. Otherwise some people are going to have less options to download some updates offline.

I can use a couple of other browsers to access MS Update Catalog but they "pretend to be IE11"

​

 

[Brds7t7]

I use IE11 too (for that site only) and have no issues accessing it. I don't think it's accessible with another browser as it requires the ActiveX plugin. It doesn't work when I try with Chrome.
Apparently MS is said to be removing that requirement in the next few months so it will be accessible with any browser eventually.
Even some users using IE11 have said they're unable to access it though.

Hopefully they'll remove that quickly now that they're supposedly phasing out the Download Center. Otherwise some people are going to have less options to download some updates offline.

I can use a couple of other browsers to access MS Update Catalog but they "pretend to be IE11"

View attachment 387447​

That's interesting Callender, what browser is that you're using? I've tried to use IETab extension in Chrome as that has different IE compatibility modes. It does open up the site with no problems, but when you click to download it won't go any further, there's no popup to download the files to Desktop.

 

[Brds7t7]

Should be this one LF: https://catalog.update.microsoft.com
I can't actually access it right now though as it doesn't work on a tablet.

Aparently I can but, first, I'm making an image before I install it on my computer. Be back in a few.

I had updated this post but, for some weird reason, it didn't go through.

Ok, it's supposedly installed. Where is it? How do I use it? I'm so confused.

You have to know the KB number of any update you want to download. Just type it in the search bar. You'll then have the option to "Add to basket" (Download queue/list). You can then go to your basket and download any updates you need in one go.

 

[Callender]

That's interesting Callender, what browser is that you're using? I've tried to use IETab extension in Chrome as that has different IE compatibility modes. It does open up the site with no problems, but when you click to download it won't go any further, there's no popup to download the files to Desktop.

I'll PM you with the info on the browser. RE: IETab extensions. I tried using FF IE Tab extension and ActiveX plugin (allows ActiveX controls) and switched user agent. It wouldn't work in Cyberfox (the Active X plugin) and I didn't actually test with FF.