Windows 7: Stuck forever on Checking for updates...

ThrashZone · 18 Apr 2016

Hi,
Yep well it was one of the Critical updates for April not just a random one,
Still not exactly sure why it works :)
Not at all sure why net 4.6.1 caused it to not work on a 32 bit machine either which was fine and working well through March's updates although it still had the weird high svchost.exe issue then and not anymore :/

I'm sure next month will be just as interesting

shrugged · 18 Apr 2016

Quote: Originally Posted by ThrashZone

Hi,
Turn off or change the windows update settings to Never check for updates.
Save kb3145739 to your downloads folder to install later after you restart the machine
https://technet.microsoft.com/librar...or=-2147217396

If you get an error installing kb3145739 it's because the new update settings changes did not stick.
The stand alone installer search was lightening fast and finally installed the above kb314....

After installing it restart again
Switch to Check for update but let me ..... then manually check for updates
It took about 5 minute to find the rest of the updates for April plus all of the net 4.5.2 updates

There's no real reason this should work
I can see it as a net 4.6.1 bug on 32 bit in my case though and removing and installing Net 4.5.2 actually worked.

But the issue did not affect 2 64 bit installs with net 4.6.1 matter of fact neither had any issue finding the updates on startup or soon after without manually checking for updates

One other note is the 32 bit system has always shown 50%++ cpu usage from our friend svchost.exe and now it's back to normal without turning off windows updates

I don't know how the heck you came up with this but this worked on two 64 bit machines for me. I've been having trouble for months with WU. Never ending checks and installs.

Thank you. :)

ThrashZone · 18 Apr 2016

Hi,
So neither of you guys had to remove Net 4.6.1 ?

A lot of reading and testing I had the issue ++svchost eating away at my cpu :)
It's time for Microsoft to fix the Windows 7 update slowdowns

shrugged · 19 Apr 2016

Quote: Originally Posted by ThrashZone

Hi,
So neither of you guys had to remove Net 4.6.1 ?

A lot of reading and testing I had the issue ++svchost eating away at my cpu :)
It's time for Microsoft to fix the Windows 7 update slowdowns

I didn't remove Net 4.6.1.

I checked this morning on both machines -- I forced multiple checks through the MSE, GUI and I forced multiple checks for WU (it's set to auto check, notify, no download). MSE downloaded a def. update within a minute or so, or reported none were available, and WU reported what was available (optionals and unchecked security) within a few minutes.
----------------
In past months and yesterday prior to using the 'fix' that you posted, both MSE and WU when asked by user to update --

MSE would mostly, eventually update after many minutes. As part of troubleshooting, I'd immediately try to update again and MSE would go on a never ending update check.

WU would go into 'forever' (hours) check mode. When the notification for availables finally came, often I had a 'forever' wait for download and install. (That was the case yesterday.) Success for notifications, and downloads and installs, had no consistent pattern. Toggle WUS, a couple of attempts at different WU fixes (downloads) from MSFT, etc..

ThrashZone · 19 Apr 2016

Hi,
Probably a net 4.6.1 bug
I dumped MSE and use Panda free mostly because of the flaky windows update system
FREE and lightweight antivirus - Panda Security

shrugged · 19 Apr 2016

Woody posted this today to cure the never ending update check. It includes KB3145739 --

Quote:

.....
It was poster EP on ********(dot)com who nailed the magic incantation:
Install a COMBINATION of the following updates on Win7 SP1 -- KB3138612 AND KB3145739. I found out that patching KB3145739 alone without patching the WU Client for Win7 SP1 is not enough.
....

Here's how to significantly speed up Windows 7 scans for updates | InfoWorld

cornemuse · 19 Apr 2016

Quote: Originally Posted by tgp1994

Quote: Originally Posted by alyraver

hi I had the same issue, this resolved it for me:

Win 7 update wont work

Hi alyraver,

It looks like you meant to link to this? update not updating I do have .Net 4.6.1 installed (not sure how that would affect Windows Update either way though), I did try manually updating the client before without success, those services are running, and of course I've tried just waiting too.

Thank you for the suggestions!

Didnt work for me, 7 just found something else to spend the evening 'looking for', , , ,

-c-

tgp1994 · 19 Apr 2016

Quote: Originally Posted by ThrashZone

Hi,
So neither of you guys had to remove Net 4.6.1 ?

A lot of reading and testing I had the issue ++svchost eating away at my cpu :)
It's time for Microsoft to fix the Windows 7 update slowdowns

Yup, 4.6.1 is still there as far as I know. I think I stopped short of reinstalling it with the .NET repair tool, too.

ThrashZone · 19 Apr 2016

Hi,
4.6.1 was not an issue on both my 64 bit machine just the 32 bit one

Next month they might be rolled back to 4.5.2 if updates act up.

Samurai Jack · 24 Apr 2016

Hi
Worked for me, had to use the win7x64 one but followed your steps and all is working.
Thanks

Quote: Originally Posted by ThrashZone

Hi,
Turn off or change the windows update settings to Never check for updates.
Save kb3145739 to your downloads folder to install later after you restart the machine
https://technet.microsoft.com/librar...or=-2147217396

If you get an error installing kb3145739 it's because the new update settings changes did not stick.
The stand alone installer search was lightening fast and finally installed the above kb314....

After installing it restart again
Switch to Check for update but let me ..... then manually check for updates
It took about 5 minute to find the rest of the updates for April plus all of the net 4.5.2 updates

There's no real reason this should work
I can see it as a net 4.6.1 bug on 32 bit in my case though and removing and installing Net 4.5.2 actually worked.

But the issue did not affect 2 64 bit installs with net 4.6.1 matter of fact neither had any issue finding the updates on startup or soon after without manually checking for updates

One other note is the 32 bit system has always shown 50%++ cpu usage from our friend svchost.exe and now it's back to normal without turning off windows updates