Windows update will not complete - constantly scanning for updates

[witchhazel]

Ok. Thanks for all of your help and for sticking with this. I did run CCleaner early on. Not sure if I need to run it again. I will try your latest list of instructions but I noticed earlier that there is no file named Pending.xml in the winsxs folder you mentioned, but there is a temp folder with a bunch of other .xml files. Is pending.xml a hidden file? I am logged in as administrator btw. Thanks again

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi Witchhazel,

That only works for W7 >> SP1<<, you need this one, scroll down till you see the big blue download button.
(read the instructions as well)
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/949104

Roy

It kind of escapes me what os you believe the op has installed ?
Not win-7 pro sp1 ?
Seems the only question is which download was attempted x64 or x86 ?

 

[torchwood]

Ooops

@Thrashzone,
My bad, just went and had a look at the pre-requistes, ASSUMED the correct version had been run.

Roy

 

[witchhazel]

I attempted KB 3135445 originally then when KB3138612 came out, I attempted it. But both resulted in a message that said the update was not applicable. I do have windows 7 64bit SP1, according to my computer properties.

 

[ThrashZone]

Some thing is saying it's not most likely a corrupt updates store or what ever the term is
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/gp/windows-update-issues/en-us?wa=wsignin1.0

Troubleshoot problems with installing updates - Windows Help

 

[witchhazel]

I ran that fix-it early-on, but it didn't help.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Confirm your windows update setting are Excluding Recommended updates being installed the same way as Important updates.

Set to install automatically
This is the new client update or at least good enough to manually install if it does not exist already,
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3135445

Click Start and type in the search box
services
Click on the suggestion or the enter key,
Make sure these services are running and on automatic,
Background intelligent transfer services
Cryptographic
Windows installer
Windows update

Actually here is the newest update client
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3138612

All the services running and on auto.. that I show here ?

 

[witchhazel]

They were when I checked at one point, but it is probably worth checking again. I've tried so many things, some of them very late at night- I should make sure the services are running properly

 

[ThrashZone]

Yes most importantly on startup or restart.

 

[witchhazel]

Striking Out Again

I booted from the original Windows 7 Pro 64-bit dvd and did the following:

On the System Recovery Options page, click Command Prompt.
Type cd C:\windows\winsxs, and then press ENTER.
Type ren pending.xml pending.old, and then press ENTER.
Type regedit, and then press ENTER.
Select HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.
On the File menu, click Load Hive.
Locate the following folder:
C:\windows\system32\config\components
When you are prompted for a name, type Offline_Components.
In Registry Editor, locate and then delete the following registry
subkey:
HLKM\Offline Components\AdvancedInstallersNeedResolving
HKLM\Offline Components\PendingXmlIdentifier
Exit Registry Editor:
At the command prompt, type exit to exit Registry Editor.
Press ENTER.
Restart System

But unfortunately, it could not find any file named pending.xml and could not find any registry entries when searching on "Advanced Installer" or "PendingXML"

 

[witchhazel]

Regarding this suggestion:

Confirm your windows update setting are Excluding Recommended updates being installed the same way as Important updates.

Set to install automatically
This is the new client update or at least good enough to manually install if it does not exist already,
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3135445

Click Start and type in the search box
services
Click on the suggestion or the enter key,
Make sure these services are running and on automatic,
Background intelligent transfer services
Cryptographic
Windows installer
Windows update

Actually here is the newest update client
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3138612

I checked the listed services and discovered that the Background intelligent transfer service was not running, so changed it to automatic and started it. I'm assuming I should be trying to install the 3135445 updater because that is the 64-bit version. it looks like 3138612 is for 32-bit.

 

[torchwood]

safe mode

Hi Witchhazel,

It wont work coz you used the CD.

Its not very clear on my part

The CD command tells the comp to move to the "c" directory, safe boot starts in "x".

Roy

 

[witchhazel]

I did change from x: to c: before proceeding.
How do I get to system recovery options without using DVD?
Even earlier when I had not booted from DVD I have never been able to find a pending.xml file anywhere on my hard drive

 

[ThrashZone]

All the update clients have both versions
Actually there is 4- all x86/ all x64 and a couple other ones

 

[witchhazel]

Since all suggestions have lead me to dead ends, I am finally giving up and doing a complete reinstall of Windows 7.
Thanks everyone for taking the time to try to help, but I've got to move on.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
All I can say is make sure you have the latest Net framework 4.6.1 installed do it manually
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=49982

And the most recent update client
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3138612

If you do end up clean installing I'd read this it doesn't get better,
It is planned by M$
WINDOWS UPDATES ISSUES
Sticking with Windows 7? The forecast calls for pain | ZDNet

Although I did find a process that does work very well
Before you start download KB3083710 and KB3102810 in advance, and store them on a flash drive
Start and complete the install without an internet connection
Immediately after install is complete
Manually install KB3083710 and restart.
Manually install KB3102810 and restart.
Change your windows update settings I used Check for updates but let me decide when to download and install
Unchecked Give me recommended updates the same....

Restore the Internet connection and Activate windows
Then launch Windows Update search
After about 5-10 minutes you should have plenty of updates to download and install.

Another thing is if you see this update make sure it is not installed with any other updates
It needs to be installed all by it's self
It was not uncheck automatically which caused many others to fail to install
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3020369

I would also install manually net framework 4.6.1
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/down....aspx?id=49982