windows 7 update stuck at "checking for updates..."

This worked well for me.

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...0-7f5096b36d0c

Hi jdlweb,

Good day! I am writing to thank you for the detailed instructions for fixing the Windows 7 update problem.

I have had the issue since Sep '16 and couldn't find a way to fix it. After following your instructions (in downloading the 6 Windows updates and installing each of them), I am downloading 92 updates and installing them while writing this.

Thank you so much indeed for offering the solution and in helping many users like me with issues updating Windows 7! You are the best!


Best regards,
Hayden Green

New update agent for what. New backdoors into your windows?

Funny its called Windows.

This totally worked for me after a lot of time trying downloads, etc mentioned on this thread:
Method 2: Difficulty: Moderate
Press the Windows Key and the "R" Key simultaneously. [Win+R]
A "Run" Box should appear. Type "services.msc" into the search box and press the "OK" button.
The "Services" window should appear on your screen. Scroll down to "Windows Update" Service in the Services (Local) section.
Right-Click on "Windows Update", then Left-Click "Stop" button. Please wait until the service completely stops. Do not close the Window.
Press the Windows Key and the "R" Key simultaneously. [Win+R] again.
Remove "services.msc" then type "C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\" into the search bar then Left-Click "OK". Windows Explorer should appear on your screen.
Delete all contents within this folder. Left-Click + Hold + Drag until you completely highlight all the contents. Let go of Left-Click and press the "Delete" Button and Left-Click "Yes".
Close Windows Explorer and return to the "Services" Window. Right-Click "Windows Update" then Left-Click "Start". Wait for the service to completely start then close the window.
Restart your computer. Then try to update Windows.

Many Thanks to Tyler1118

jdlweb said:

I know this is an old post but this will fix all you update issues:
Here is a 100% guaranteed solution to the updating blues for Windows 7
You should first download these 6 files:
1. 64 Bit- https://download.microsoft.com/downl...020369-x64.msu
32 Bit- https://download.microsoft.com/downl...020369-x86.msu 2. 64 Bit- http://download.windowsupdate.com/d/...1264cd93b9.msu
32 Bit- http://download.windowsupdate.com/d/...b0a74b2cbd.msu 3. 64 Bit- https://download.microsoft.com/downl...102810-x64.msu
32 Bit- https://download.microsoft.com/downl...102810-x86.msu 4. 64 Bit- https://download.microsoft.com/downl...112343-x64.msu
32 Bit- https://download.microsoft.com/downl...112343-x64.msu 5. 64 Bit- https://download.microsoft.com/downl...172605-x64.msu
32 Bit- https://download.microsoft.com/downl...172605-x86.msu 6. 64 Bit- https://download.microsoft.com/downl...161664-x64.msu
32 Bit- https://download.microsoft.com/downl...161664-x86.msu Ok Now that you’ve downloaded everything, here is the precise process. Please don’t skip any steps or it may or may not work properly for you. I’ve included the 32 bit links even though most people have problems with the 64 Bit.
1. Click Start, type in CMD, right click the search result “command Prompt” and left click on run as administrator, click yes
2. In the “elevated” command box, type in NET STOP WUAUSERV and press enter, after service is stopped, install the first on you downloaded earlier (KB3020369)
3. Click close after in finishes
4. Click back into the command box and again type NET STOP WUAUSERV and press enter, after service is stopped, install the second one you downloaded (KB3125574)
5. Restart the computer at the end when it asks you to do so.
6. Click Start, type in CMD, right click the search result “command Prompt” and left click on run as administrator, click yes
7. In the “elevated” command box, type in NET STOP WUAUSERV and press enter, after service is stopped, install the third download (KB3102810)
8. Click close after in finishes
9. Click back into the command box and again type NET STOP WUAUSERV and press enter, after service is stopped, install the fourth download (KB3112343)
10. Click close after in finishes
11. Click back into the command box and again type NET STOP WUAUSERV and press enter, after service is stopped, install the fifth download (KB3172605)
12. Restart the computer at the end when it asks you to do so.
13. Click Start, type in CMD, right click the search result “command Prompt” and left click on run as administrator, click yes
14. In the “elevated” command box, type in NET STOP WUAUSERV and press enter, after service is stopped, install the final downloaded file (KB3161664)
15. Your updates will now work! You’re Welcome

THANK YOU!!

Your solution worked. My Win 7 Pro absolutely refused to update, and I tried everything. I messed with the little bugger for hours, and hours, and hours. Much to my disbelief, your solution worked (I followed your instructions EXACTLY), I am so pleased. Thanks again jdlweb!

Just got mine fixed. The last time I was able to do updates(10/21/2016), it locked up installing KB3170735 and I cancelled install. Had been locked up ever since. Got back to it today. Tried manually installing that update. When it downloaded, the pop-up stated it was for windows 7 x86 not x64! I then followed instructions For manually installing KB3020369 and KB3172605. (disable windows update first). After this Windows update would run. On the first pass KB3170735 came up. I deselected it. Next pass worked also, but KB3170735 did not appear and all subsequent passes have been successful.

Hope this helps

I know I am late to the party - but there was a major issue with the Windows Update components with memory leaks and CPU cycles -- especially on machines that were recently reimaged/reinstalled -- there were a series of updates that were released in April-August 2016 that caused WU to exhibit these odd behaviors in the scans. The fastest ways I have dealt with them (but this comes as I was thick provisioning workstations [not my process, I hated it] for use) - was using WSUSoffline

Its a nice little tool that you select your OS, some of the optional Office components you had installed, and then you would download the updates offline, then it would script the installs for all of the critical/security updates (which this issue was addressed in) -- otherwise there is a series of 6 patches you would have to install manually and then it would work...so I generally like to get 80/90% of the updates out of the way up front...

It will even autoreboot and resume installs and then when done, simply delete the folder, run your WU to capture any of the recommended/optionals if you like, and done...

It's cut my provisioning time in fractions (as I used to have to wait for SCCM to deploy -- yeah the last org I worked for was a mess lol) -- generally WSUSOffline isn't for everyday, but it is amazing if you are reinstalling, severely behind updates, WU wont scan (initially and just to take care of the immediate issue at hand which is the security)...there are tons of other ways...but anyhoo just my two cents because this was super common for Win7s

Tyler1118 said:

Hello!

Here are a couple of Methods that could work for you. Please let me know if your issue does -OR- doesn't get resolved.

Here are 3 Methods that I've found, that worked for people in the past.

Note: Try to make sure you Windows Update is/isn't working by letting it "Checking for updates" for at least 1 hour.

Method 1: Difficulty: Easy

1. Download the following tool below.
2. Download this tool: Microsoft Fixit Tool
3. Run the file once it finishes downloading.
4. Once the window appears on your screen, click the "Next" Button.
5. Let the program scan for errors, DO NOT click "Cancel". (This process may take some time.)
6. Once the program finishes scanning, it will list the following errors that have been "Fixed" or "Not Fixed".
7. If any errors were "Not Fixed", report them to me here. Left-Click the "Close the troubleshooter" Button.
8. Restart your computer. Try to update your Windows.
   
   If Method 1 doesn't work proceed to Method 2.

Method 2: Difficulty: Moderate

1. Press the Windows Key and the "R" Key simultaneously. [Win+R]
2. A "Run" Box should appear. Type "services.msc" into the search box and press the "OK" button.
3. The "Services" window should appear on your screen. Scroll down to "Windows Update" Service in the Services (Local) section.
4. Right-Click on "Windows Update", then Left-Click "Stop" button. Please wait until the service completely stops. Do not close the Window.
5. Press the Windows Key and the "R" Key simultaneously. [Win+R] again.
6. Remove "services.msc" then type "C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution" into the search bar then Left-Click "OK". Windows Explorer should appear on your screen.
7. Delete all contents within this folder. Left-Click + Hold + Drag until you completely highlight all the contents. Let go of Left-Click and press the "Delete" Button and Left-Click "Yes".
8. Close Windows Explorer and return to the "Services" Window. Right-Click "Windows Update" then Left-Click "Start". Wait for the service to completely start then close the window.
9. Restart your computer. Then try to update Windows.
   
   If Method 2 doesn't work proceed to Method 3.

Now this Method doesn't necessarily fix Windows Update right away (does after updates are done) but rather than a bypass or a workaround. I will provide images with this Method sense it's a little tricky.

I hope this works. 99% sure it will! Good luck!

Method 3: Difficulty: Somewhat Hard

1. Please download the following tools below.
2. Download: WSUS Offline Update
3. Go to your downloads file. (Usually C:\Users\"Profile Name"\Downloads) and Right-Click "Extract All..."
4. The Extract Window should appear on your screen. Click the "Browse" Button on the window. Navigate and Left-Click the "Desktop" icon then press the "OK" Button.
5. Open the new folder that appears on your Desktop.
6. Navigate to the following images below.
   
7. Navigate to...
   
8. Navigate to...
   
9. Checkmark these boxes and click "Start"...
   
10. This cmd will download all Windows Updates from Microsoft's Database. Please do not exit out of the cmd, it will take a while to complete.
    
11. After the downloading is done. Close the program and navigate to the following images.
12. Navigate to...
    
13. Navigate to...
    
14. Checkmark the following boxes and click "Start". Checkmark the other boxes once you have SP1 installed.
    
    -OR-
    
15. This cmd will install all downloaded updates. You might have to run this installer more than once due to the fact that SP1 has to be installed first. Then Microsoft Security Updates.
    
    
16. You will have to restart every time the installer completes a certain section of updates.
17. Once most updates are installed, your Windows Updater should be working again. Around 100+ installed.

Thanks for this extensive list of fixes. I am trying the 3rd one now. Fingers crossed

unfort did not work for me. Lots of errors etc and didn't seem to install much