windows update stuck at 0%

[adgalati]

Long story short, i just installed a clean copy of genuine windows 7 home premium. I let it update and what not but after coming back to look at the computer from awhile of being out, I realized it had been stuck on installing one of the updates (at least 20 had already been successfully installed). I figured i'd stop it and restart the comp and let it continue. Now it won't download any updates it just gets stuck at 0% everytime no matter what updates i pick. I'm using wireless internet but I even tried while it was connected straight up with the ethernet cable for optimum internet speed and still stuck at 0%. I've tried rebooting multiple times but still nothing. I am really trying to avoid having to reinstall the OS again. Anyone have an idea?

 

[richc46]

Easy way
Reinstall, and from now on set update to notify. Do one or two at a time and you will not have a problem.
Iknow you said that you do not want to reinstall, but thats what I would do.

Others are going to come along and give you suggestions on how to fix the problem. Some will work others will not. You can be reinstalled in 30 minutes. When you are up and working make an image of the OS and put it away, for problems just like this. You can use the copy and be up and ready in a few minutes, programs and all.

 

[Flavius]

Stop Windows Update service and empty C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution folder - may this easy fix solve this issue

 

[richc46]

Start with the excellent advice given by Flavius, since it is easier. If it does not work go with my idea. In either case in the future, do not set the update to automatic. Instal,l yourself, a few at a time.

 

[onmountain]

Stop Windows Update service and empty C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution folder - may this easy fix solve this issue

That did the trick for me.

To be complete, the following stops the windows update service for the current session but does not alter the service’s startup setting (meaning it starts normally on the next powerup):
Go to an elevated command prompt (the terminal window) and click the "start icon" in lower left, type "command", right click on command prompt in the list, run as administrator, then type: net stop “windows update”

Then use Windows Explorer to select and delete all the files.
Reboot

Peace everyone!

 

[MonarchVV]

Hi there, I'm kind of new, so excuse any rules I may have already broken by posting in here.

So basically, I had the same problem as the TS, and I did what Flavius has suggested and it did work.

However, my question is that will the stuff that was deleted be restored in some way? I dislike deleting crucial information from my computer because of a bad experience from before.

 

[steelon]

Read this somewhere else and tried it. Several guys said it worked. Worked great on my new ASUS laptop. Force shutdown if possible. Unplug. Remove battery. Replace battery. Power up. Start Windows Normally at prompt. After it comes up go to Windows Update and change it from auto-install to download and notify you to install.

 

[heels4real]

Stop Windows Update service and empty C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution folder - may this easy fix solve this issue

Sorry I am really bad with computers. When you say empty, should i literally everything in the software distribution folder?

 

[McLovin77]

I had the exact same problem as adgalati.

Flavius' advice was awesome, worked! Except I also had to go into windows update and click the "name" box in the top left, which let me deselect all the updates. Then I reinstalled them a few at a time. It appears the Windows Update gets confused if it tries to update +120 things at once. So clear it out with Flavius' method, and then do them in small batches.

Hells4real...yes, delete everything in there.

 

[Mabcomp]

Re software dist folder

Stop Windows Update service and empty C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution folder - may this easy fix solve this issue

Great fix but I also put the stuff back after emptying and left the updates disabled. I can now choose to do it manually.


Thanks

 

[pcraine]

I have this problem as well. Win 7 Home Premium x64.

So I should delete all the files and folders in SoftwareDistribution? I have 1 gb of files and folders in there. I think I'll copy them first, just in case.

 

[PistolSlap]

i have tried this nine or ten times and it still is not working goddamnit. it keeps redownloading the files, as evidenced by more files showing up in the Download folder, but according to the WU window, it is at 0KB and 0%. I've stopped the service many times, i have deleted all the files many times. I have deleted the contents of DataStore many times. I have tried the Windows Fixit many times. I have rebooted many times. and still every time it just redownloads the files into the folder, and tells me it is 0% complete, indefinitely, without installing anything. What the absolute f%^$%$

 

[NoelDP]

Please start a NEW thread of your own, and
1) post your C:\Windows\windowsupdate.log file
2) Please follow the Windows Update Posting Instructions and post the requested data

If the file is too large (8MB compressed), remove the older CBSPersist cab files until the final file is below the limit - you can always post them separately after zipping them. (the forum doesn't allow the upload of bare CAB files, for a number of reasons)

Please also post the C:\Windows\windowsudpate.log file