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Windows update stuck 'checking for updates'.

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  • Yolina
    Yolina Posts: 2,262 Forumite
    Good luck Spud. I think both Rev and I can confirm that it's a complete nightmare once BITS isn't playing nice.
    Now free from the incompetence of vodafail
  • spud17
    spud17 Posts: 4,431 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    have you tried the m/s win 10 page , scroll down and choose https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

    If I click on that link, all I get is a blank page, currently no updates at all since install.
    Yolina wrote: »
    Good luck Spud. I think both Rev and I can confirm that it's a complete nightmare once BITS isn't playing nice.

    Certainly is. :(
    Move along, nothing to see.
  • spud17
    spud17 Posts: 4,431 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Any bright ideas why this as happened?

    On Sunday I used a Dell Win7 SP1 disk to install Pro, no way will it update.

    Last evening I tried a Dell Win7 SP1 disk and Home Premium, not a sign of an update.

    This evening installed an original Retail Win7 Home Premium, within seconds updates appeared.

    Because this is just a means to get Win 10, I've left all the options as default on each install.


    Just a note that previously I have successfully used the Dell disk, and updates have worked.

    Going to have to abandon it for this evening.
    Move along, nothing to see.
  • Rev
    Rev Posts: 3,171 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    spud17 wrote: »
    Any bright ideas why this as happened?

    On Sunday I used a Dell Win7 SP1 disk to install Pro, no way will it update.

    Last evening I tried a Dell Win7 SP1 disk and Home Premium, not a sign of an update.

    This evening installed an original Retail Win7 Home Premium, within seconds updates appeared.

    Because this is just a means to get Win 10, I've left all the options as default on each install.


    Just a note that previously I have successfully used the Dell disk, and updates have worked.

    Going to have to abandon it for this evening.

    I was at my friends last night and her husband was having the exact same issue on Windows 7 Home premium, retail version.

    My laptop had thr OEM version.

    My desktop has the retail version. That wont update either.

    It seems windows 7 jusy doesnt like windows update.

    Each time I've upgraded to windows 10 and Windows update has worked first time.
    Sigless
  • spud17
    spud17 Posts: 4,431 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Rev wrote: »
    I was at my friends last night and her husband was having the exact same issue on Windows 7 Home premium, retail version.

    My laptop had thr OEM version.

    My desktop has the retail version. That wont update either.

    It seems windows 7 jusy doesnt like windows update.

    Each time I've upgraded to windows 10 and Windows update has worked first time.

    I've done loads of installs, including Linux and things like NAS4Free and FreeNAS, but I've never encountered anything like this.
    Recap:
    Dell Home Premium and Pro both with SP1 will not update.
    MS OEM Home Premium with SP1 will not update.
    Original MS Retail Home Premium, no SP1, updates fine.

    From the above, it would appear that SP1 is the problem. :(
    Move along, nothing to see.
  • spud17
    spud17 Posts: 4,431 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Because I'm stubborn, I've had the Dell laptop with Win7SP1 Pro sat idling most evenings for 2 or 3 hours, with updates set to 'Automatically download/install'.

    Nothing at all, no sign of any updates.

    Earlier this evening I downloaded and installed IE 11, and 2.5 hours later, activity, 2.75 hrs later and 177 updates have arrived. :cool:

    p.s. now only 157 more to install. :j
    Move along, nothing to see.
  • System
    System Posts: 178,330 Community Admin
    10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Hi

    I cleared out the download history

    \windows\softwaredistribution\downloads


    Also tried the command line options

    wuauclt.exe /UpdateNow

    Some of these may be available....


    A Gem Amongst the Rubble
    There is one very useful parameter in this list – /UpdateNow. It actually causes immediate installation of updates. This would make a great agent task in a community MP!
    Full List of Parameters
    From a dump of the .exe W2k3 R2 version you can extract the following parameters:
    /DetectNow
    /ReportNow
    /RunHandlerComServer
    /RunStoreAsComServer
    /ShowSettingsDialog
    /ResetAuthorization
    /ResetEulas
    /ShowWU
    /ShowWindowsUpdate
    /SelfUpdateManaged
    /SelfUpdateUnmanaged
    /UpdateNow
    /ShowWUAutoScan
    /ShowFeaturedUpdates
    /ShowOptions
    /ShowFeaturedOptInDialog
    /DemoUI





    This process may use 100% CPU time and can be caused by Wuauclt.exe. It happens due to stuck in an infinite loop trying to download same update. To fix the problem first disable the automatic updates via control panel and then reboot the system. It is possible to enable the automatic updates again if the file is not running after a few minutes.

    This is a system account and does not represent a real person. To contact the Forum Team email forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com
  • spud17
    spud17 Posts: 4,431 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    johndough

    Already tried all of that. :(

    I've also had a Win 7 Home Premium 64bit desktop running as a test machine, to eliminate problems with the laptop.
    This evening, I installed Internet Explorer 11, and a while later I have 193 updates available. :j

    Have I solved the problem?
    Dunno, but worth a try if you're stuck.
    The laptop is now up to date with the Win 10 available icon in the taskbar.
    Move along, nothing to see.
  • I've been having the same problem on an Inspiron Netbook running Windows 7pro service pack 1.


    Its been driving me round the bend!!


    Anyway, installed IE 11 and the bit that I think made the difference was with IE11 came a package of updates which fixed the problem. Windows update is now updating.......


    Just another 204 updates to install :T
  • Helpful for me.
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