Windows 7: Windows Update will not update and I've tried multiple fixes

I have Windows 7 Home Premium, 64 bit OS. I have researched multiple "fixes" on this site, and still cannot get it to function properly.
Some of the patches are using a Standalone Installer. When they are engaged, it searches for updated files, and that's all it does.
Can anyone assist me in fixing this situation.

I have a Dell Inspiron Laptop. It's about 5 years old.

Thanks!

Hi and welcome to SevenForums,
Sounds like a older existing install and you were not clean installing win-7 ?

1) When manually installing updates you need to switch your update settings to Never check for updates and restart the machine first.
Windows Update Settings - Change

2) After restart verify that the windows update service is not running if it is Stop and switch to Manual apply and okay.


3) Make sure KB3020369 is installed if not manually install it this is the main article page with all versions,
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3020369


4) which version of windows do you have installed 32 bit or 64 bit,
System Type - 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64)

These other links do prompt you to download as soon as you click on them just to give you a heads up :)
KB3020369

4b) download links,
Win-7 32 bit
https://download.microsoft.com/downl...020369-x86.msu

Win-7 64 bit
https://download.microsoft.com/downl...020369-x64.msu

5) Then manually install KB3172605 main article page with all versions,
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3172605

KB3172605 download links,
Win-7 32 bit
https://download.microsoft.com/downl...172605-x86.msu

Win-7 64 bit
https://download.microsoft.com/downl...172605-x64.msu

6) After switch your windows update and service settings back to what you had prior and manually check for updates and the rest should show up shortly.

7) After all of the above is completed you can use Option 3 below to reset all of the windows updates components
Windows Update - Reset

I cannot get the Windows update service to stop. When I run through the process, they system says Windows Update is "STOPPING", but will not go completely to stopped.
To that end, I am unable to install any of the updates suggested.
Any thoughts on how to proceed?

Hi,
Shut down the machine
Disconnect from the internet then start back up.
Then try to stop and switch it to manual.

My laptop is now downloading and installing updates. Fingers crossed for the future, but this seems to have fixed my issue. Thank you very much!

Hi,
No problem hope it does work now :)

hi,i have a similar problem,after the format updates are taking tooo long to began to apear as a persentage like before,ive ran a Microsoft fix from here :-https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/949358

it told me that 3 problems regarding update resolved but still checking for updates after 30 miniutes
what to do?do a repair?

Usually it asks you if its 32 or 64 bit? Or as its a. Original it won't. Ask?

Please help

Not really sure what you are asking here mate and as a general rules you should post a separate thread to avoid confusing the original one but I am curious as to what you have done - just what is the format you mention??

what you mean by :-just what is the format you mention?

i made a format of my pc,then when went to download updates and kept on checking updates for long time with no results,

Shankly mate I meant did you just format the hard drive and then clean install because personally I always wipe/clean the drive to make sure it has no remnants of the old install on it before installing. Using the clean in DISKPART takes no longer than a format and is more thorough see this
Disk - Clean and Clean All with Diskpart Command
You will of course need access to a machine running Windows to use DISKPART but it is worth it.