Windows Update gets stuck looking for updates

Windows Update has become erratic, currently gets stuck in the "looking for updates" phase. I have followed the instructions on this forum titled "Windows Update Posting Instructions." Ran the SURT with no issues reported. The SFC scan came back clean as well. There are no error codes like the example shown, on the WU screen, but at one point there was a pop-up box (I believe in conjunction with Windows Update Standalone Installer) with error 0x8024001e which may or may not now be resolved. The MS Genuine Advantage Diagnostics Tool has not helped. Also along the way I was advised to install Hotfix for Windows KB947821, which I did. Compressed CBS file will not upload to this post because it is too large (about 6MB).

All this is way above my pay grade as a non-tech user, but I think I have followed the instructions correctly. Any wisdom greatly appreciated!

Hi Slowpoke,
That error code usually infers malware.

For a start please D/L run Malwarebytes (free), uncheck the trial offer.
then in the dashboard check rootkit detection.

As a follow up run the
ESET on-line scan, (dissable your current AV)

Roy

torchwood said:

Hi Slowpoke,
That error code usually infers malware.

For a start please D/L run Malwarebytes (free), uncheck the trial offer.
then in the dashboard check rootkit detection.

As a follow up run the
ESET on-line scan, (dissable your current AV)

Roy

Thanks for your response. I'll run the Malwarebytes as you suggest. But I do not know what ESET is. I am a non-tech user and my computer education is far from complete.

you can run Eset from this link

Free Virus Scan | ESET Online Scanner | ESET

Roy

Ran the Malwarebytes software, latest version. There was no mention of "rootkit detection" on the dashboard screen. The report came back clean.

Ran the ESET scanner, was called away from the computer after 30 minutes or so with the program still running. When I left it, there was 1 threat noted. When I returned all the info fields were black and the program seemed to have stopped. Then the ESET screen went blank. I do not know what the outcome of that was.

Today I tried downloading a single update again and WU still hangs on downloading. I plan to start MS Malicious Software Removal Tool on a full scan, which apparently takes hours.

Thanks for your input- do you have a followup?

Steve

UsernameIssues said:

slowpoke47 said:

there was no mention of "rootkit detection" on the dashboard screen.

This is the screen that comes up.

Update- found an option for rootkits on the Settings screen, ran the scan. No threats reported in rootkits.

Hi Slowpoke,
can you open your CBS log file
C>>windows>>logs>>cbs.
click on the >>top<< CBS entry, send to compressed zip, then upload it as an attachment.

Roy

Hi, torchwood,

An hour ago I set that computer to do a full scan with MS Security Essentials- likely to continue well into tonight. I'll post that file tomorrow. Thanks for the coaching!