Windows Update high cpu/disk even when not connected to the internet

I've been having issues the last few weeks with the Windows Update service. It spins hard drive for hours but appears to be doing nothing. My last update was July 10th, so not that long ago, so it can't be looking for hoards of updates.

I've let it spin for many hours and nothing happens. I can't stand the sound of the drive spinning madly for hours so I've been turning off the Windows Update service.

I've disabled any/all attempts to download Windows 10 as I'm not interested, so it's not a giant W10 download that's causing it. My WU settings are to notify me when things are ready to update and I pick and choose so as to avoid any more W10 nonsense.

A lot of people seem to have a similar problem but it seems they either haven't updated in a while or there are a zillion different 'try this' or 'try that' solutions that are hit or miss. No single solution for everyone.

The thing I noticed today is the service was spinning the hard drive madly even when I wasn't connected to the internet - no browser access, wireless access off, bluetooth access disabled, no outside access at all.

Why would the windows Update service be causing so much activity when it's not connected to the internet? I'm tired of spending hours of my life that I won't get back chasing Windows Update problems. It all worked fine until they started the mandatory W10 download and it has been a mess ever since.

If you have turned all the services OFF,(did that include Background Intelligence Transfer, BIT's).
THEN its highly likely you have been infected, suggest you run
Malwarebytes, uncheck the trial option, in settings enable rootkit detection
Eset on-line, dissable any other AV

Roy

I'm already running Norton 360 Premier, so I would be surprised if it was a virus.

Installing optional update KB3172605 fixes WU performance issues for many people.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3172605