Windows Update can be very problematic sometimes for Windows 7 users. One of the most seen problems is that Windows updates cannot be downloaded.Usually Windows Update just stalls at 0% when downloading.
Sometimes, some Windows Update fail to install, and just refuse to get installed on your computer even when you try a couple of times. If you face this problem where Windows Updates will not install, this tutorial will help you identify and troubleshoot the problem. Do create a system restore point first. You may then try any of these, in no particular order.
Windows Update Fail To Install
If Windows Update fail to install, is not working, updates will not download or keep failing, then these suggestions will help you troubleshoot & fix Windows Updates. Go through the entire post and then see which of these may apply to your system.
1. If you are unable to install Windows Updates, first clear up your Temporary Files and Internet Cache, reboot and try again. See if this helps resolve the issue. Best and easy to use the built-in Disk Cleanup utility or CCleaner.
2. Disable your Firewall and Anti-virus software and try again. Here is a list of Windows files and folders you may exclude from Antivirus scans.
3. As mentioned earlier, many times, an update may fail to install in the first instance, but for some inexplicable reason, succeeds in the 2nd or 3rd try. So try a couple of times.
4. Search on Microsoft, for the patch using the Update KB number, and download its stand-alone installer. Now apply the patch manually. Search for just the number; don’t include KB! Also, go here to see the Complete Master List of Windows Update Error Codes.
5. Use the Windows Update Troubleshooter from Microsoft. It resets Windows Updates settings to defaults.
6. Use our Fix WU tool and see if it helps. It re-registers all the dll, ocx and ax files required for the proper functioning of Windows Updates.
7. Fix corrupted Windows Update system files using DISM Tool or CheckSUR. Run System Update Readiness Tool. It can help fix problems that might prevent Windows Updates and Service Packs from installing.
8. Right-click Computer > Manage > Services > Stop the “Cryptographic Service” and rename the Catroot2 folder situated in C:WindowsSystem32Catroot to something else like say Catroot2X.
Reboot.
Windows Will Not Download Updates Windows 7 Free
Now run the update or the installers again. This action will re-generate a new Catroot2 folder and the updates or hotfixes, should hopefully install.
9. If still, you have a problem then, go to C:WindowsWindowsUpdate.log and look for the most recent entry. This will be present towards the end of the log. Any failed updates will have error code/s written next to them. Note them down. If you find just too many entries too confusing delete this WindowsUpdate.log and try installing the problematic updates again.
Now open the newly re-created WindowsUpdate log file and have a look at its contents.
The warnings will probably appear as -: WARNING: Failed to find updates with error code XXXXXXXX.
Now Right-click Computer > Manage > Event Viewer > Applications and Service Logs > Microsoft > Windows > WindowsUpdateClient > Operational . Check out for any Critical Message or Warning.
Next, refer the Windows Update Error Codes. This will give you the direction in which you may have to look for the solution.
11. Flush the Software Distribution Folder. Run Command Prompt as administrator. In the CMD box that appears on the computer screen, enter the following strings of text, one at a time, and hit Enter.
Now browse to the C:WindowsSoftwareDistribution folder and delete all the files and folders inside.
If the files are in use, restart your device. After rebooting, run the commands above again. Your Windows Store App needs to be closed, by the way, so do not start it.
Now you will be able to delete the files from the mentioned Software Distribution folder. Now in the Command Prompt windows, type the following commands one at a time, and hit Enter:
Reboot. If you are using Windows Update, try using Microsoft Updates or vice versa.
12. Reset the Catroot folder and see. To reset the catroot2 folder do this:
Open an elevated Command Prompt, type the following command one after the other and hit Enter:
Next, delete all the contents of the catroot2 folder.
Having done this, in the CMD windows, type the following and hit Enter:
Your catroot folder will be reset, once you start Windows Update again.
13. Open an elevated command prompt windows, type the following and hit Enter:
This will rename pending.xml file to pending.old. Now try again.
14. Clear the BITS queue of any current jobs. To do this, type the following in an elevated CMD and hit Enter:
15. Delete incorrect Registry values.
Open Registry Editor and navigate to the following key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINECOMPONENTS
Right-click COMPONENTS. Now in the right-pane, delete the following if they exist:
- PendingXmlIdentifier
- NextQueueEntryIndex
- AdvancedInstallersNeedResolving
Restart your computer and try again.
16. Boot in Clean Boot State and run Windows Update and see if this helps. Ater deleting the contents of SoftwareDistribution folder, try it. It works in most cases.
17. Read this, if Windows Update is not working or the Windows Update page itself is blank. Add the mentioned few websites to the whitelist.
18. This will help you if Windows Update is stuck downloading updates.
19. See this if Windows Update Page Is Blank.
20. Go here if you get error Failure configuring Windows updates. Reverting changes.
21. Use the Reset Windows Update Components Tool and see if it helps you.
22. See this post if you receive Windows 10 Update Error Code 0x8024a105 while downloading updates.
23. See this post if Windows 10 Creators Update is not installing.
24. This post will help you if you receive Potential Windows Update Database error detected error message.
25. See this if you receive Windows Update error 0x80070643.
These links may also interest you:
- There were some problems installing updates, but we’ll try again later.
Post ported from WinVistaClub.com, updated and posted here.
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Windows Will Not Download Updates Windows 7 1
so im having a problem, i recently wiped my pc after it was having problems loading out side of safety mode for an unknown reason, i started to reinstall windowns 7 via disk but before i started the installation my internet went out so i couldnt update it with the installation.
now im trying to install drivers and update my pc but im having 2 problems
1 the drivers im trying to install for my radeon 7850 via there website dont seem to be installing correctly. as i cant get them all to install (installing via this site http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Z87K/HelpDesk_Download/)
2 windows does not seem to want to update when i try to check for updates. been w8ing 4 hours for update now
i figure that the driver problem can be solved if i can just get windows to update but im not sure, please help