Windows Updates (Win7) borked

esuhl

I'm trying to help a friend who's Win7 PC has stopped checking for Windows Updates.

I've seen a couple of news articles on this issue:
https://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/3022470/windows-update-is-borked-for-some-windows-7-users
https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/damien-cox/windows-update-is-experiencing-problems-for-those-on-windows-7/

Essentially Windows Update (WU) says that the WU service isn't running when it is.

The articles say that ticking the box to "...receive recommended updates..." works round the problem, but it doesn't for me.

I've rebooted, run the WU Troubleshooter, run "sfc /scannow", but the problem persists.

Is there anything else I can try?

Cheers!

AndyPix

stop the update service
Delete the folder : c:\windows\softwaredistribution
start the update service


reboot : test

esuhl

Aha! Thank you!

I remember doing that once before -- it's all coming back to me now! :-D

Windows is currently checking for updates, but it's taking a while to rebuild the cache. Fingers crossed... :-)

Shrimply

I discovered the other day that I haven't installed any updates since August, my fault for not checking I guess. But I had to go through the same procedure to get it working again.

I'm sure it's not the first time I've had this happen with this laptop either...

molerat

Shrimply wrote: »

I discovered the other day that I haven't installed any updates since August, my fault for not checking I guess. But I had to go through the same procedure to get it working again.

I'm sure it's not the first time I've had this happen with this laptop either...

My daughter had not updated hers since October .......... 2016 ! and had the error mentioned here https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/73518434#Comment_73518434 and I fixed as per the thread instructions. The fix mentioned in the links in the OP didn't do anything.

welshee

I had a similar problem on the windows 7 pc and this worked for me..

Not sure if is the exact same problem but take a look anyway.

https://www.reddit.com/r/windows/comments/4tx4s9/windows_7_slowstuck_checking_for_updates_fix_as/

Oblivion

The problem this time was caused by Microsoft leaving an essential file in the AuthCabs directory necessary for WU to run which was time-expired. It ran out on the 3rd December.

The fix is ludicrously easy. Just go to Control Panel > select Time & Date > and roll the system date back to 1st December.

Now WU should run normally ... download any pending updates and when you are finished don't forget to roll the system date back to current.

WU will continue to run normally, until the next time some idiot at Microsoft screws it up again.