I managed to fix this after looking at various documents - I stopped the process via task manager, then I stopped the wuauserv service via task manager as well. I then IMMEDIATELY ran the software patch mentioned on the first page and was able to do so.
I did have a problem with my windows updates being stuck and I discovered a fix and I want to share the answer to this problem which I found is a wide spread.
I just did a fresh install of Windows 7 Ultimate and at that time updates worked.
Then after the installation of service pack 1 all updated stopped.
I did all the quick fixes to reactivate updates and nothing worked.
FIX
The problem was my CPU run at high levels which prevents updates from happening.
After I manually installed this update KB3102810 (link next line)
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/down....aspx?id=49540
this resolved the issue of the CPU running at high levels and allows windows updates to resume automatically.
Automatic updated now found 283 important updates with a total file size 979.5 MB, very slow but very happy it's working.
FWIW I too experienced the same hanging with Windows Update after re-installing Win7 Ultimate 64-bit. The steps provided by CalgaryITGuy worked for me perfectly.
I will note that for my own experience after re-booting and starting Windows Update again it took awhile before results came back.
Thanks CalgaryITGuy!
This problem had been driving me nuts over the last year.
I would do a fresh install of Windows 7 for a customer, and the updates would fail to function. This is for Windows 7 Pro or Home, with service pack two.
I tried everything. Hunted the 'net for hours. Finally, I had settled on downloading some 3rd party software that would force-feed Windows its updates. This would work, but it took a while and was a rather inelegant solution.
Then I stumbles across a webpage that has an answer that actually worked.
1. Disable Windows Updates (tell it to never check for updates).
2. Reboot.
3. Download and install Internet Explorer 11.
4. Download update KB3102810 and place it on your desktop (make sure you get the correct one, 64 bit or 32 (X86) bit). Place on your desktop.
5. Reboot.
6. Go into Computer Management (right click on Computer in Start Menu) and select Services.
7. Stop Windows Update service.
8. Start Menu, Computer, C: drive, Windows, delete the entire Software Distribution folder.
9. Double click on update KB3102810 and let it install.
10: Reboot (this will turn update service back on).
11. Go into Windows Updates and check for updates. Give it about an hour, it may take less time but be patient. It will start working.
12. After installing your updates, you can turn Windows Update automatic check for updates back on if you like.
I have tested this on four fresh Windows 7 Home Premium and 3 Windows 7 Pro fresh installs and it worked on all of them.
I have joined the forum to thank Mergatroid for their post which resolved this problem for me.
I have tried numerous solutions over the past week that did not work. However, I followed their advice and 9.5 hours later (this was a new installation), Windows had got the updates I needed to download. I left it running overnight and 19 hours later, Windows is up to date.
Thank you very much Mergatroid, you're a star.
I also joined, simply to say thank you to Mergatroid. You're method worked perfectly. My hat is off to you.
I also joined to thank Mergatroid. After a fresh install of Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit with Service Pack 1, Windows Update would hang on "Checking for Updates." I tried all the fixes in this thread, but what stymied some of them was that I could not manually install individual updates. Those installations would also hang on "Searching for Installed Updates."
One wrinkle for me was that in step 7, I could not stop Windows Update Service because it was not started yet. After the final reboot, I ended up starting it manually because it did not automatically start. I cannot tell if that made the steps superfluous or not, i.e. maybe it was never started so all I needed to do was start it to fix the issue.
It took about 10 minutes for me at the "Checking for Updates" screen, after I followed the steps Mergatroid laid out, for Windows Update to recognize that over 200 updates needed to be installed, and it did not hang.
Thanks, Mergatroid!
I also joined this forum to thank Mergatroid for his post and everyone else for leading us to the right directions. Great Job guys, this was very frustrating.
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