Solved Windows updates won't install.

[Gozoman]

I have a Sony Vaio running Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit. I've had this one for about 18 months now and never had a problem with the updates. The latest update however won't install. When I re-start the computer to install the updates it reaches 15% then says that there is a problem and reverts to the way it was. The problem with that is that it happens every time I switch the computer on, it tries to install the updates, can't, and has to restart. I assume there is either a problem with the latest updates or the download was corrupted in some way. Is there any way of deleting the updates off my system to force it to try again or should I be trying something else?

 

[marsmimar]

Try this:

Troubleshoot problems with installing updates - WindowsUpdate_dt000

 

[Gozoman]

Hi, thanks for the reply. I did as you suggested regarding the Windows fix and then went into updates. The 8 updates were downloaded okay, but then it was doing that anyway. It then says, configuring windows updates, reaches 15%, restarts, and I get a message saying 'Failure configuring windows updates, reverting changes.' It then restarts as normal, and this will happen every time I start windows. Is there no way of deleting the downloaded files from my hard drive so that I can force it to download a fresh copy of the updates, or is it doing that everytime anyway?

 

[harleynut97]

I am having the exact same problem Gozoman... I'll be anxiously awaiting to see if anyone has any suggestions. I used the "fix it" utility to no avail.

 

[koolkat77]

Try this tool and try downloading the updates again.
:ar: What is the System Update Readiness Tool?

 

[Gozoman]

Hi koolkat77. Made no difference at all. Exactly the same as before, it reaches 15% and then fails. I have also noticed now that regedit is not working, in fact it won't even open. Nor is system restore as I have tried two seperate dates and both of them failed to complete.

 

[harleynut97]

Got a fix!

OK... did some searching on MS site and this is what you need to do...

The update KB2647753 is the problem child.

1) open up windows update
2) view all of the updates .... uncheck all of them EXCEPT for KB2647753
3) install ONLY that update. reboot upon prompt, wait it out
4) open windows update again, go back to the area where you can check what updates you want installed.... check the remaining boxes and install ... reboot when prompted....

5) I went back into windows updater and confirmed that all of the updates were successful.

YIPPEE! it all worked. This is the first time since getting windows 7 that I have had any problems with updates, so I guess I can't complain too much. Hope it works for all of you - Carl

 

[Gozoman]

Good one Carl! That did the job okay. If I can just get regedit and system restore working now I'll be a happy bunny. Many thanks.

 

[koolkat77]

Glad to see you guys got it fixed.

 

[Sarsfield]

Thanks Harleynut. That did it on my desktop for me. My laptop would not update either but for that one, I was able to do them one at a time. I registered just to thank all you guys for the help!

 

[ICIT2LOL]

OK... did some searching on MS site and this is what you need to do...

The update KB2647753 is the problem child.

1) open up windows update
2) view all of the updates .... uncheck all of them EXCEPT for KB2647753
3) install ONLY that update. reboot upon prompt, wait it out
4) open windows update again, go back to the area where you can check what updates you want installed.... check the remaining boxes and install ... reboot when prompted....

5) I went back into windows updater and confirmed that all of the updates were successful.

YIPPEE! it all worked. This is the first time since getting windows 7 that I have had any problems with updates, so I guess I can't complain too much. Hope it works for all of you - Carl

Yep very similar to a fix I have used in Vista and now have done same in 7

1: Go to Administrative Tools/Services, and stop the Windows Update service.
2: Then go to the folder C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution and delete ALL of the files and folders.
3: Then go back to Services and restart the Windows Update service which will recreate ALL of those folders again.
4: Then manually run the Update Service and everything should work. If you don't know how to manually start updates, reboot & Auto Updates should kick in.

The history doesn't show until you get some on board but the installed ones are there in "Installed Updates"

 

[UltraNutZ]

harleynut97, you certainly pointed me in the right direction with this info so thank you; however in my case on an Acer Aspire 5349 laptop it was KB2536275 (security update)

Bottom line is if you have issues like this, only select one or two updates at a time and continue that way until you narrow down which one(s) is causing the problems for you.

UltraNutZ

OK... did some searching on MS site and this is what you need to do...

The update KB2647753 is the problem child.

1) open up windows update
2) view all of the updates .... uncheck all of them EXCEPT for KB2647753
3) install ONLY that update. reboot upon prompt, wait it out
4) open windows update again, go back to the area where you can check what updates you want installed.... check the remaining boxes and install ... reboot when prompted....

5) I went back into windows updater and confirmed that all of the updates were successful.

YIPPEE! it all worked. This is the first time since getting windows 7 that I have had any problems with updates, so I guess I can't complain too much. Hope it works for all of you - Carl

 

[Hswks]

exact same problem which was really annoying

thanks to harleynut97 for the solution, worked perfectly.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Good to see it fixed well done but don't forget to get the Readiness tool as Koolkat said folks.

 

[harleynut97]

Well I'm happy to hear the fix has worked for many people and I would definitely look into the readyness tool mentioned above. But I do want to make sure it is known, that I just did a bunch of googling and searching at the MS website and found someone elses post who used the method I noted above. But I am glad it has worked for some people who were experiencing the same problem as I was. - Carl

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Well I'm happy to hear the fix has worked for many people and I would definitely look into the readyness tool mentioned above. But I do want to make sure it is known, that I just did a bunch of googling and searching at the MS website and found someone elses post who used the method I noted above. But I am glad it has worked for some people who were experiencing the same problem as I was. - Carl

Yeap harlenut the one you / anyone needs need is http://www.microsoft.com/en-au/download/details.aspx?id=20858 I was put onto it a fair while ago while having problems with one update in particular I seem to remember it was something to do with an Essentials app.

John (old Yamahanut LOL!!)

 

[pokeypam]

Thanks for the advice!

I too would like to thank Harleynut97/CARL! I was stalled at that 15% failure and reverting loop for a couple weeks. Tried troubleshooting the updater more than a few times with no success. So happy to have stumbled across this page and Carl's suggestion - which worked on my laptop - I'm back in business again - all updates have now installed successfully. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

 

[Zalps]

Hello guys... I am new in forums.... I am facing the same problem as Gozoman... can't install updates... I am using windows home premium 64 bit too, i have a laptop sony vaio vgn-fw21z... THe point is that i have tried all the solutions that you suggested...but i can't even see which updates are to installed....When I go to control panel---->system and security----> windows update...update centre doesn't show any specific updates e.g. kb... It only says "REstart your computer to install important updates".... This also happens when I am going to check for updates.... Then computer restarts loading configuring windows...and after a while Failure Configuring Windows Updates, Retrieving Changes.... I really don't know what to do... I've made a lot of research on that issue... Most problems were solved by installing updates manually from users but in my case I don't have that option... Biggest problem is that i can't install net framework4 which is vital for installing other programms(autocad)... If anyone has any suggestion it would be very helpful...Laptop is just formatted from vista 32 to home prmium 7x64...all drivers are installed nothing conflicts in device manager.Thanks for your time.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Hey Zalps don't know if it will help but have you tried the Readiness tool?

Download: System Update Readiness Tool for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB947821) [September 2012] - Microsoft Download Center - Download Details < fairly large but worth a try.

 

[Zalps]

Hello...thanks for your immediate response...Yes I've tried that too...Many things I 've tried them more than once... I have even searched manually kb's from microsoft support centre...But when i tried to install "The update is not applicable to your computer" message appeared...Netframework4 is my biggest headache cause without it I can't install vital programm for my work... My laptot is clean, I used Vista 32bit and thought installing WIn7x64 would be better for greater performance...and it is better...but I've never imagined that kind of problems...