Never ending search for updates

Hello world!

I'm having this problem after installing Windows 7 Pro where the Update Agent never stops searching for updates.
I mean: the green progress bar just rolls and rolls and rolls... I've left the computer during the night and nothing happens.

Know, I know what you're thinking: piracy, bugged ISO, bad internet connection, bla bla bla.
No. Original DVD with genuine serial number (normally activated), downloaded ISO from Microsoft website, solid 100mbps connection. Everything is fine.
In fact, on the same computer I can run Windows 10 and that one has no problems what so ever!

I've tried every fix I can find online including the Microsoft auto fix (or whatever they call it), turning services on and off so I can delete the SoftwareDistribution folder contents, manually update the Windows Update Agent...

Nothing works!!!


Did anyone ever got this problem?
It just stays there, like an idiot, searching and searching...


(thanks Alexey2912 for the screenshot)

Brds7t7 said:

There are a few workarounds posted online but it's very hit and miss as to whether they work. Nothing has offered me a permanent fix yet.

This... this is just awesome news!

The good thing is that I'm not crazy and haven't lost my touch.
The bad is that things haven't changed as far as the OS goes.

Anyway, after reading this I got the thing to work by manually installing the latest Update Agent (WindowsUpdateAgent-7.6) and some randomly found update (KB3138612).
I actually did a new fresh install just to make sure and it worked again!

And there I was thinking Windows 7 support would go up until 2020... how naive.


Thanks man!
I'll keep those two updates on my flashdrive in case I have to fresh install the machine again (or any other since I have multiple PC's, all with the 7 licence and I might not like the Windows 10 upgrade on some of the older ones).


I'll mark this as "solved" since there is no reall problem with my installation but with Windows 7 itself. Also, we've ended up posting useful tips.

Thank you all very much!
You've helped me save a lot of hours and brain cells.

Great forum!!!

No problem
With the amount of people this is affecting, MS should really be pushing out a permanent and easy fix for this.
I don't see this happening anytime soon though (if ever).
We're stuck with having to use workarounds. Which in my case haven't worked. This is why I now stick to manual updating!

Yeah... They're more interested in pushing customers into Windows 10 rather than supporting those same customers.
That shows, I think, the attention customers get from Microsoft. That bug/problem/situation has been going on for months if I'm not mistaken and it is still not fixed.

I read many of the threads in this forum about Windows Updater not working and tried half a dozen solutions recommended and nothing worked until yesterday when I finally installed the Windows Updater Agent 7.6 along with KB3138612. And it worked! I had run all the 7Forums resets and MS Fixit modules along with making various tweaks to my Dell XPS7100, but none of that solved the problem until the two installs I did yesterday. THANKS TO ALL WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THIS FORUM, because without you, I would never have resolved the issue. And NO THANKS to Microsoft who made it all necessary.