100% Solved:Windows Update Stuck
In this post, we will see how to solve the problem of
Windows update getting stuck on checking for updates step
This problem of windows updates hanging on checking for update stage can happen due to many reasons so we have come up with the best four methods to solve it.
- Method 1: Run Windows Update for 1 hr
- Method 2.1: Update Windows Update Agent
- Method 2.2: Fix Slow Update Agent
- Method 3: Automated Diagnostic Tool
- Method 4: Offline Windows Update Tool
Before starting this tutorial I would like to state couple of assumptions we are undertaking:-
- You have a genuine activated copy of windows
- You are using either windows 7 SP 1 or windows 8.1 or windows 10 for other OS this tutorial might work but we cannot guarantee that.
- You are internet connection is working properly
- You have got admin rights to the system which you want to troubleshoot
Now let’s dive into method 1
#1: Run Windows Update for 1 hr (Windows 10/8.1 /7 SP 1)
With growing volume of windows updates packages, the process of selecting the suitable package for your system can be very time-consuming for the windows update agent. In fact, several people have reported that “Checking for updates” step toke them about an hour after which windows update started working properly and detected the packages required for your system. So if you have not left the computer on “Checking for updates” stage for an hour I would suggest you try it out.
Disable Sleep from Power Setting
This will prevent the update from getting interrupted in between so we open the power options and make the necessary changes so that your system doesn’t go to sleep
In Windows 7
- Click on start
- Type power options
- Click on power options
In Windows 8.1
- From the start screen
- Type power in the search panel
- Then select power options
In Windows 10
- Right-click on the start button
- Select power options
Depending upon the plan you have chosen either balanced or high-performance or power saver will be checked whichever plan yours is showing selected
- Click on the change plan setting for the same
- In “put the computer to sleep” option
- Set it to never
- Click on save changes
Also, if you are using a laptop or any battery-powered device make sure when you are putting your computer to update it’s connected to the power supply
Flush DNS
To make sure that DNS resolution happens properly we will flush the DNS settings. First, we will open a command prompt in admin mode.
In Windows 7
- Click on start
- Type CMD
- Right click it and select run as admin
- Click on yes if the UAC pops up
In Windows 8
- From the start screen type CMD
- Right click Command Prompt
- Select run as admin
- If a UAC pops up click on yes
In Windows 10
- Right-click on the start button
- Select command prompt admin
Keep the admin CMD open as it will be used in this method also.
In the command prompt type
- ipconfig /flushdns
- and hit enter
Now again start the windows update and leave it for an hour. If this method didn’t work try method 2
# 2.1: Update Windows Update Agent (Windows 8.1/7 SP 1)
Recently windows have released an update for its windows update agent which have a couple of bug fixes. The download links for the same are given below
- Windows 8.1
- Windows 7 SP 1
You’ll see a MSU file in your downloads folder when it’s completed. Before you run this MSU you must make sure that the Windows update agent is not running otherwise it would not allow you to install this update.
Disable Windows Update Agent Before Installation
- Using the admin CMD prompt
- Type net stop wuauserv
- And hit enter
After installing and restarting the system if you are using windows 7 install the below-mentioned patch .For windows 8.1 users again try to update windows make sure you leave it running for sufficient amount of time If still windows update keeps showing “checking for updates” message then let step to method 3.
#2.2: Fix for Slow Update Agent (Windows 7 SP 1)
Microsoft has released a fix to solve the slow update client problem.The download links for the same are given below
- Windows 7 SP 1
You’ll see a MSU file in your downloads folder when it’s completed. Before you run this MSU you must make sure that the Windows update agent is not running otherwise it would not allow you to install this update. Use the above-mentioned steps to disable windows update agent.
After installing and restarting the system again try to update windows make sure you leave it running for sufficient amount of time If still windows update keeps showing “checking for updates” message then let step to method 3.
#3: Windows Update Troubleshooter & Update Errors (Windows 10/8.1 /7 SP 1)
Microsoft provides automated diagnostic tools for fixing common errors in the windows update agent the download it using the below link :-
- Windows 7 SP 1/8.1
- Windows 10
After running the diagnostic tool restart the system and again try to update windows.
If you are seeing a specific update error Microsoft has built a knowledge base providing step by step instruction for solving them check the link below :-
Get Help on Specific Update Error Code
If none of the above methods worked keep faith method 4 will definitely work
#4: Offline Windows Update Tool (Windows 10/8.1 /7 SP 1)
Using this tools we can create a repository of windows update files which then we can transfer to any storage medium like pen drive, external hard disk etc. And use it for updating windows machine that has no internet connection. But the main reason we would be using this tool is it does not rely on the Microsoft Windows update client for downloading and installing updates so even if your update agent is broken it can install the required updates and fix the update client eventually.
Download the offline update tool from
http://download.wsusoffline.net/
- After extracting the zip file
- Open wususoffline folder
- Click on updategenerator.exe
- Check your os version and architecture
- Check Windows defender definitions
- Rest you can keep it at default settings
- Click on start
After the download finishes
- Open the clients folder
- Click on updateinstaller.exe
- Check the automatic reboot and recall
- This will automatically install all your downloaded update on your system
- Click on start
I hope this post helped you if so please share this website with your friends, allow me friends thanks for reading see you later bye.
Have some questions join the discussion.
hi i used 4th method but its not successful. below is log file which shows error…..
07-06-2016 10:42:35.53 – Info: Starting WSUS Offline Update download (v. 10.6.2) for w61-x64 glb
07-06-2016 10:42:35.53 – Info: Option /includewddefs detected
07-06-2016 10:42:35.85 – Info: Option /verify detected
07-06-2016 10:42:35.87 – Info: Option /exitonerror detected
07-06-2016 10:42:35.99 – Info: Set time zone to LOC-5:30
07-06-2016 10:42:38.15 – Info: Updated static download and update definitions
07-06-2016 10:42:39.20 – Warning: Download of mkisofs tool failed
07-06-2016 10:42:42.37 – Error: Download failure for w61-x64 glb
Could you please help me to solve this. its Win7/64 bit.
Hi Vive,
Try this out hope it solves your problem
Download these three files :-
http://live.sysinternals.com/files/Autologon.zip
http://live.sysinternals.com/files/Sigcheck.zip
http://live.sysinternals.com/files/Streams.zip
Using winrar Extract Autologon.zip and place the file Autologon.exe in wsusoffline\bin
Extarct Sigcheck.zip and Streams.zip and place the files igcheck.exe & streams.exe in wsusoffline\client\bin
Now again try downloading the updates using UpdateGenerator.exe
Hi Neil,
Thanks for your comment, but even after following up the things you pointed, it could not resolve the issue. I dont know whats wrong with it.
Is it giving the same error ?
Yes. its same error.
Does it stops working:-
If 1 or 3 then I think there is problem in your internet connection
If 2 try disabling the downlaod for that package if that option is present in the options section of UpdateGenerator.exe
Hope it helps
Hi Neil, I used the method 2.1 solved the problem. Thank you very much
Thank You Thank You Thank You,
It took step 2 to get it working !!!!!!! :^)
Thank You…..thank you…..thank you….. (I can’t say that enough!!!).
I did a clean install on a Dell laptop, 3 years old, and followed the instructions starting with #1 through #2.1 and followed the instructions down to where it has the “Windows 7 SP 1” and after going to that link, I downloaded the “x64 based version of Windows, Installed that and dis-abled the Windows Update Agent before installation.
After following those instructions, I had updates within minutes.
Hi, I also used method 4 and mine is stuck trying to create a list of missing ids.Plus there is WSUadmin user logged on and I can’t get it signed off. The above message has been there for more than 15 hours.
Still it’s the same error. I do have good LAN connection, wifi facility so no internet issue. but wonder whats that making vulnerable. i got frustrated with this problem, even after clean installation of windows problem persist. is that there might be something wrong with network adapter ? but i dont know if i could uninstall all this stuff ? how can i check whether it is getting connected to microsoft site?
Sorry I can’t understand what you mean by “whats that making vulnerable” & “i dont know if i could uninstall all this stuff”. I know how it feels have gone through it myself. Hope you have also tried method 2.1 & 2.2 and ensured you have restarted the system after installing the packages.
Yeah. can i uninstall the network adapter ‘Broadcom 802.11n Network Adapter’ ? i mean that might be a problem.
That should not cause any problem. To rule out any system related problem try running UpdateGenerator.exe from a different system.
Hi Neil
May I ask you one simple question is do you know how the windows update works in window7.
Our company have so many win7 clients cannot install the updates correctly but for win10 clients they can easily to be installed the patches.
We got many clients stuck on checking update and then failed with some error.
Can you please explain how the windows update works for me?
Many thx
Hi adam recently this has been a common problem across many windows 7 SP1 systems. Since you have many systems stuck on this error I would suggest you download the Convenience rollup update for Windows 7 SP1. Here is the information regarding this update https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3125574.Basically it packages all the updates since the rollout of SP1. The download link is http://catalog.update.microsoft.com/v7/site/Search.aspx?q=KB3125574 . You will require internet explorer to open that page. If this doesn’t work you can look at the method 4 of installing updates using WSUS Offline Update.You can create a repository of the updates in a server and then install in all your client machines. Hope that helps.
Hi Neil,
I tried Method #4 and I do not know where the files were downloaded onto my machine.
Can you tell me where the default directory is as the software UpdateGenerator.exe does not give you the option to point the download to a desired place.
I am going to try the rollup update as nothing else has worked to date for my Windows 7 64_bit O/S.
Very frustrating.
Been following this process from the beginning following the reinstall of Windows 7 Pro x64 from an external drive image backup. Tried downloading KB3125574 but when I run it , it hangs at “Searching for updates on this computer…..” and never seems to find them. Tries stopping Windows Update Services and then restarting the KB…msu installer but just l\keeps doing the same thing…..any ideas?
Trying to get the free upgrade from 8.1 to 10, Windows Update got stuck checking for updates.
I downloaded the update .msu in #2.1 and did “net stop wuauserv” in preparation for its installation, which reported back failed; but it DID stop the checking process, and started Windows Update downloading the Windows 10 installation files!
For what it’s worth.
Thanks for sharing your experience.
Good Morning Neil,
I attempted all step and on number four I received:
Thu 07/14/2016 7:15:13.34 – Info: Starting WSUS Offline Update (v. 10.6.3)
Thu 07/14/2016 7:15:13.34 – Info: Used path “C:\Users\Frank\Desktop\wsusoffline1063\wsusoffline\client\cmd\” on FRANK-PC (user: Frank)
Thu 07/14/2016 7:15:13.36 – Info: Option /instwmf detected
Thu 07/14/2016 7:15:13.39 – Info: Option /updatetsc detected
Thu 07/14/2016 7:15:13.42 – Info: Option /showlog detected
Thu 07/14/2016 7:15:19.13 – Info: Found Microsoft Windows version 6.1.7601.23403 (w61 x64 enu sp1)
Thu 07/14/2016 7:15:19.13 – Info: Found Microsoft Windows Software Licensing Management Tool info…
Thu 07/14/2016 7:15:19.13 – Info: Name: Windows(R) 7, HomePremium edition
Thu 07/14/2016 7:15:19.13 – Info: Description: Windows Operating System – Windows(R) 7, OEM_COA_NSLP channel
Thu 07/14/2016 7:15:19.13 – Info: Partial Product Key: FPVFK
Thu 07/14/2016 7:15:19.13 – Info: License Status: Licensed
Thu 07/14/2016 7:15:19.18 – Info: Found total physical memory: 3 GB
Thu 07/14/2016 7:15:19.18 – Info: Found Windows Update Agent version 7.6.7601.23435
Thu 07/14/2016 7:15:19.19 – Info: Found Windows Installer version 5.0.7601.23403
Thu 07/14/2016 7:15:19.19 – Info: Found Windows Script Host version 5.8.9600.18057
Thu 07/14/2016 7:15:19.21 – Info: Found Internet Explorer version 9.11.9600.18059
Thu 07/14/2016 7:15:19.21 – Info: Found Microsoft Silverlight version 5.1.40728.0
Thu 07/14/2016 7:15:19.21 – Info: Found Remote Desktop Client version 6.3.9600.16415
Thu 07/14/2016 7:15:19.22 – Info: Found Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 version 3.5.30729.5420
Thu 07/14/2016 7:15:19.22 – Info: Found Windows PowerShell version 2.0
Thu 07/14/2016 7:15:19.24 – Info: Found Microsoft .NET Framework 4 version 4.5.51209
Thu 07/14/2016 7:15:19.24 – Info: Found Windows Management Framework version 0.0.0.0
Thu 07/14/2016 7:15:19.24 – Info: Found Microsoft Security Essentials version 4.8.204.0
Thu 07/14/2016 7:15:19.25 – Info: Found Microsoft Security Essentials definitions version 1.225.1401.0
Thu 07/14/2016 7:15:19.25 – Info: Found Network Inspection System definitions version 116.12.0.0
Thu 07/14/2016 7:15:19.27 – Info: Found Windows Defender definitions version 1.91.1817.0
Thu 07/14/2016 7:15:19.27 – Info: Found Microsoft Office 2007 Word version 12.0.6727.5000 (o2k7 enu sp3)
Thu 07/14/2016 7:15:19.28 – Info: Medium does not support Microsoft Windows (w61 x64 enu)
Thu 07/14/2016 7:15:19.28 – Info: Medium does not support Microsoft Office (ofc glb)
Thu 07/14/2016 7:15:19.32 – Error: Medium neither supports your Windows nor your Office version
Thu 07/14/2016 7:15:19.36 – Info: Ending WSUS Offline Update
Would appreciate any advise.
Hi Frank,
Looks like the version for which you downloaded the windows updates doesn’t match your system version. Please check in updategenerator.exe which os version and architecture you had selected.
Good Afternoon Neil,
Solved the issue with the above. Now has been “Listing ids of missing updates” for over an hour. How long should this take, or do I still have an issue?
For me, it took approximately 3hr. You can keep it running it will automatically install and reboot if required.
Hi,
At the end of the update process it’s stuck at ‘listing ids of missing updates (please be patient,this will a while)’…
Try keeping it on overnight.
Ok thanks, will try that.
Hi Neil. Can you please help me in may laptop by windows update and i want to upgrade in windows 10. I followed what you said on your website after i done it im still waiting for windows update and its still running now its almost 1 hour now. Can you please help me what i need to do? I sent you message in your facebook page just check it. Thank you Neil in advance.
People have reported it took them 3+ hrs to finish the installation process. I would suggest waiting unless you can see any error being displayed.Hope you were able to solve your problem.
Nothing works, could not select the automatic reboot and recall.
Win7 SP1 64 bit.
Hope you might have other ideas.
Thanks for your help.
Log file
Thu 07/21/2016 12:31:59.76 – Info: Starting WSUS Offline Update (v. 10.7)
Thu 07/21/2016 12:31:59.76 – Info: Used path “C:\Users\Carol\Downloads\wsusoffline107\wsusoffline\client\cmd\” on GUY-LAPTOP (user: Carol)
Thu 07/21/2016 12:31:59.78 – Info: Option /showlog detected
Thu 07/21/2016 12:32:05.35 – Info: Found Microsoft Windows version 6.1.7601.23418 (w61 x64 enu sp1)
Thu 07/21/2016 12:32:05.35 – Info: Found Microsoft Windows Software Licensing Management Tool info…
Thu 07/21/2016 12:32:05.35 – Info: Name: Windows(R) 7, HomePremium edition
Thu 07/21/2016 12:32:05.35 – Info: Description: Windows Operating System – Windows(R) 7, OEM_SLP channel
Thu 07/21/2016 12:32:05.35 – Info: Partial Product Key: 3Q6C9
Thu 07/21/2016 12:32:05.35 – Info: License Status: Licensed
Thu 07/21/2016 12:32:05.46 – Info: Found total physical memory: 8 GB
Thu 07/21/2016 12:32:05.46 – Info: Found Windows Update Agent version 7.6.7601.19161
Thu 07/21/2016 12:32:05.46 – Info: Found Windows Installer version 5.0.7601.23432
Thu 07/21/2016 12:32:05.46 – Info: Found Windows Script Host version 5.8.9600.18347
Thu 07/21/2016 12:32:05.46 – Info: Found Internet Explorer version 9.11.9600.18349
Thu 07/21/2016 12:32:05.46 – Info: Found Microsoft Silverlight version 5.1.50428.0
Thu 07/21/2016 12:32:05.46 – Info: Found Remote Desktop Client version 6.3.9600.16415
Thu 07/21/2016 12:32:05.46 – Info: Found Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 version 3.5.30729.5420
Thu 07/21/2016 12:32:05.46 – Info: Found Windows PowerShell version 2.0
Thu 07/21/2016 12:32:05.46 – Info: Found Microsoft .NET Framework 4 version 4.6.01055
Thu 07/21/2016 12:32:05.46 – Info: Found Windows Management Framework version 0.0.0.0
Thu 07/21/2016 12:32:05.46 – Info: Found Microsoft Security Essentials version 0.0.0.0
Thu 07/21/2016 12:32:05.46 – Info: Found Microsoft Security Essentials definitions version 0.0.0.0
Thu 07/21/2016 12:32:05.47 – Info: Found Network Inspection System definitions version 0.0.0.0
Thu 07/21/2016 12:32:05.47 – Info: Found Windows Defender definitions version 1.225.793.0
Thu 07/21/2016 12:32:05.47 – Info: Found Microsoft Office 2007 Word version 12.0.4518.1014 (o2k7 enu sp0)
Thu 07/21/2016 12:32:05.47 – Info: Medium does not support Microsoft Windows (w61 x64 enu)
Thu 07/21/2016 12:32:05.47 – Info: Medium does not support Microsoft Office (ofc glb)
Thu 07/21/2016 12:32:05.49 – Error: Medium neither supports your Windows nor your Office version
Thu 07/21/2016 12:32:05.52 – Info: Ending WSUS Offline Update
Thu 07/21/2016 12:32:05.47 – Info: Medium does not support Microsoft Windows (w61 x64 enu)
This indicates you might have selected the wrong version of windows in the updategenerator.exe select this
Hi,
That is exactly the the version I selected, even ran it twice.
Thanks
Are you sure update generator completed without any errors? Can you post the log file?It should be in the log folder.
The second time I ran it I did not see any errors when it finished.
That is why I ran it twice because I did not see it complete cause I fell asleep.
Where is the log folder?
Sorry still learning.
Oh ok no problem. It should be in the same folder where UpdateGenerator.exe is present.
Checking Windows Update “stuck” problem occurred on my Windows 7 Home Edition machine since 7/12/16. I finally got it resolved w/ the help of the article above after step 2.1. I found out via another forum’s post that there’s another past Windows 7 Update for x64 based systems that needs to be installed (KB3161608) properly which worked for my situation; rather than the one mentioned in method 2.1 above. However, w/o disabling Windows Update Agent prior to installing/running, it won’t install. I didn’t even need to do step 2.2 in the above article to update the slow update client problem cause it was already installed in 2015 w/ other updates. After restarting my system to finish off installing/running KB3161608, Windows Update Check scanned for about 15 minutes & found 10 important Windows 7 & Defender updates to install which MS posted on 7/12 & 7/19/2016. Hope this helps others still stuck checking for their 7/12/16 Windows 7 updates.
Thanks Lauai for sharing your experience.
That is where I thought it would be, but it only contains a .txt file named dummy that is blank.
Ok on opening UpdateGenerator.exe what can you see in the top right corner under repository info?
Last download: (none)
So that means there is a problem in the updategenerator.exe step itself. Can you send me a screenshot of what happens when you click start in updategenerator.exe? You can message us on facebook https://www.facebook.com/HowISolve/
Looks like after the third try it worked.
Many updates that have older published dates for office 2007.
At least my fan is not running constantly.
Do you think the free upgrade to Windows 10 is a good idea?
Again thanks for you help,
Guy
Glad to know that Guy. Windows 10, in my opinion, functionality wise is a significant improvement over Windows 7. But it is still not as stable as Windows 7. You might encounter several minor issues. If you are happy with what your current windows 7 system has to offer and if it is working fine. I would not suggest an upgrade to windows 10. But also keep in mind that windows 7 updates would be unreliable and you will have to pay for Windows 10 later on.
Also still have this in cmd.
Starting WSUS Offline Update (v. 10.7) at 12:31:59.76…
Checking user’s privileges…
Determining system’s properties…
Determining Windows licensing info…
Found Microsoft Windows version: 6.1.7601.23418 (w61 x64 enu sp1)
Found Microsoft Windows Software Licensing Management Tool info…
Name: Windows(R) 7, HomePremium edition
Description: Windows Operating System – Windows(R) 7, OEM_SLP channel
Partial Product Key: 3Q6C9
License Status: Licensed
Found Microsoft Office 2007 Word version: 12.0.4518.1014 (o2k7 enu sp0)
Checking medium content…
Medium does not support Microsoft Windows (w61 x64 enu).
Medium does not support Microsoft Office (ofc glb).
ERROR: Medium neither supports your Windows nor your Office version.
Ending WSUS Offline Update at 12:32:05.52…
C:\Users\Carol\Downloads\wsusoffline107\wsusoffline\client\cmd>
I am getting this same error. Did you ever figure it out?
Using method 4; seems to be stuck on installing KB2731771.
Auto restart was checked, warning about UAC was displayed & windows update is displaying a restart is needed to complete update.
Method 4 can take a lot of time. It should auto restart if you had checked the check boxes as shown above.
Hi Neil
Using method 4; seems to be stuck on installing KB 3138612
been over 2 hrs can you help
Thanks
I would suggest to leave it on. People have reported the offline installer taking the whole night to complete.
Hi Neil
all done thank you
Happy to help you, Steve.
Hello Neil Thank you first of all.
I’m currently at Doupdate and it seems to be stuck on installing windows 6.1KB2533623-64msu.
Is this normal to take longer than a few minutes? Thanks
I’m also stuck at KB2533623 – did you just wait?
Neil, it totally worked. I just had to be patient. The entire process took about 3.5-4 hours. You are the MAN! You are a genius, I have my expertise and you obviously have yours and I am impressed. Thank you and I’ll be donating. Thanks again
Yes, it takes time, especially if there are 100+ updates. I appreciate it, DJ 🙂 you are welcome. Thanks for considering to support us. It would help me greatly.
Step 3 help my computer start updating correctly. thanks for the help
Glad we could help, Furman.
You are the man, Neil!!! ……..apparently I had corruption on my MS Updater tool and it just froze doing nothing 4 hrs. Tried your steps, I decided to try ALL of 1, 2 and 3 (did not use 4) and it now works. What is strange about that is, before I started all this fix attempt my original issue was caused after I reformatted (not OS overlay) the drive with a fresh install of Win7. Don’t understand how I could have had “MS Updater” tool registry corruption from a fresh original out of box MS Win7 CD.
Makes me think MS changed a target source files location area for this Win updates” process and to save face, they are calling it an “Updater” registry corruption fix :-). I used this original CD media recently on several of my team hardware rebuilds (legal with each their own MS key 🙂 ) and never had issue.
Anyway I am one happy camper and will bookmark my new tech friend, Neil! 🙂
Glad to know you were finally able to solve it Dragan. Happy to help you.
Hi Neil,
I am stuck getting list of ids on method 4. Plus there is an admin account that I can’t get rid of. Any ideas?
Thanks
Dick
Hello. Sorry for that big post.
So with the method 4 just didn’t work. Was stuck for 7 hours trying to install (windows 6.1-KB2533623-X64.MSU…)
Tried to start from the beginning, step by step, and things seems to be going good.
Actually with method 2.1 and 2.2 windows is finally updating and installing ( more than 1gb updates).
Thanks a lot Mr. Neil.
Have a nice day.
After running the Update installer only Only “”Install management framework 5″” and “”Update remote desktop client”” as well as “”shut down on completion”” are available.
“3.Check the automatic reboot and recall” from above is blanked out.
Any thoughts?
Thank you so much for a great program! I made a nice Donation! I tried everything I could find on the internet. This fixed my update problem and fixed my “Windows Update” on my Windows 7 computer.
On my computer. I did have a minor problem. The your program hung up after it went through all the initial checks. I allowed the computer to run for 6 hours. The last line it hung up on was “updating 1-6 and ending in .msi
So I went back to main screen in “update installer” and removed the check out of “automatic reboot and recall”. I then placed a check in “shut down on completion”.
It finished downloading something, it did not close and had a reminder to “recall update”. I then went into “client” in “main wsusoffline” folder and clicked on the folder “update” This downloaded all the updates and fixed “windows update”!!!
Moving on, I have a question. I had the internet working on this computer. If I was using this program on an offline computer, would I copy the entire “wsusoffline” folder unto
A thumb drive and copy it to the desktop and then run it? Your directions did not give instructions.
So i have two questions: what are your thoughts on how i got it to work and then the second question about an offline computer. Again, thank you so much!
Method 2 worked perfectly for me, thank you a lot!
“Disable Windows Update Agent Before Installation” worked for me. (Win 7 SP1 x64). I was struggling with the WMF 4 installer ‘searching’ for over 2-3 hours and going nowhere.
Thanks! for the articulate suggestions.
Best regards,
Vishak
You ar a genius… I have been trying for a whole day to fix it until I found your article.
I followed Step by Step and solution 2 was great!!!!
Thank you very much
I tried all four of the solutions listed, including WSUS off-line installation. All of this was after a system re-installation. Prior to trying the four solutions listed here, I also tried downloading a stand-alone microsoft update for Windows 7 Update. All of this was on W7 64 bit SP1 system. WSUS reported everything proper with operating system and installed two minor updates using command prompt before it hung up on the third one.
After trying all of the web-recommended fixes I could find, the problem was solved on mine using the following steps:
1. I went to a manually downloaded kb file that when I clicked on it, it continuously ran reporting “searching for updates on this machine” (Of which there were none).
2. Then, using Revo Uninstaller (just for the convenience), I went into it’s system tools and chose the “Services” tab to check if the Windows Update service was running. Services showed Windows Update service running, auto start (delayed startup). Using the option to “Stop” service, I cancelled this service, then used the “Start” option.
3. I went back to the manual file and clicked on it to install and this time it installed. (First time this had happened – before this procedure, I had tried at least a dozen times in the past, including running Windows Update repair tool, etc.)
4. Following the success of one update, I tried the Windows Update under All Programs and it started working and downloaded & installed all 172 missing updates.
find your solution after ‘googling’ for ‘windows update stuck’ on win7 sp1 x64.
try method 4 as you described, part 1 – download finished successfully.
run the second part (update), and program seem to be stuck after the msg “Listing ids missing updates ….” – script is still running (more than 3 hours of running and nothing change).
will appreciate your help
You are awesome!!!!!!!!
Step 4 worked for me. Fantastic.
I have been very upset that windows update would not work. UGH.
Now Update is normal after finishing step 4
Thank you!!!!!!!!
HI sir Neil, I used method #4, downloaded all the updates, and installing the updates overnight. When i checked, it’s done configuring my netbook but using another admin account with password protected (not my account). I dont know what’s happening. Can you please help me? I need to update my system because my headset cannot detect by windows when i plug even though i update the realthek and configure playback devices. Thanks
I am having the same problem.
nothing worked except for Method 4. And that fixed everything. Even fixed the Microsoft’s update agent software. thank you very very much.
Try the Microsoft hotfix for Update at:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3135445
That worked for me.
Thank you so much for this! #2.1/2.2 worked like a charm!
#2.1 did the trick for me. Thanks!
Method 2.1 worked for me. I have done 10 days research on this and Finally I decided to go with Wsus method on of the computer. Not sure how far downloading update from Wsus(http://download.wsusoffline.net/) is safe hence I picked one more machine and reinstalled Windows 7 SP1 and decided to find permanent solution for this problem. Guess this is the site and blog which helped me to get this issue fixed.
Excellent and Thanks.
Hi,
I have issue my wsus environment, here i do not know why Clients are downloading the updates from my wsus very slow. clients are too long time to download update from wsus. please suggest if you have any idea in this.
It took option 4, the offline windows update tool to fix this for me finally. It took me weeks to try to figure this nonsense out. Thank you so much.
Great solution!!!!!!!
days and days searching the internet.
with this info I solved the problem in 10 minutes
trick #4 works like a charm, really appreciate your help 🙂
Neil –
Thanks so much for the help. It took me until step 3 to get the issue resolved. Thanks for taking the time to post the info.
2.1 and 2.2 worked for me. Thanks for the solution.
Solution #1 didn’t work for me but #2 worked perfectly exactly as you described. Thanks!!
What version would I run for solution #4. I am running Windows 10 Home
64-bit Operating System, X64-based processor
Ran the program, it says it downloaded 213 updates, ran the updateinstaller.exe and its been Listing ids of missing updates for hours now? Is this normal?
Mine is stuck on the same step… 2.5 hours so far…
Any guidance?
Thanks for the great info. Neil! Another stuck update process (from a clean install of 7, SP1) solved with your step 2. The help is much Appreciated! 8 )
Finally! After hours of pulling my hair out step 2.1 worked for me on 8.1. Thanks bro!
thank you so much neil .
after hdd failure, i reinstalled win 8.1 with iso file from microsoft but win update hang “searching for update”.
i have tried a lot of fixes for 2 weeks then found your post.
offline windows update did it and after rebooting automatic win update finish the job.
This is a known issue with Windows 7 and 8.
Downloading and manually installing these KB updates fixed the problem. Both Win 7 and 8 found updates with in a few mins
Windows 7 – KB3102810
Windows 8 – KB3102812
Google those KBs and make sure you download the correct one x64 or x86. Once downloaded make sure you disconnect from the internet and then run the KB.
If you don’t disconnect from the internet when you run the KB it will try to look for updates…. and take forever.
once the install is done it’ll ask you to reboot.
Netboygold suggestion worked for me in Windows 8.1 but before I could install the standalone KB3102812. I had to delete all the files in the “software distribution folder” found in path “C”- “Windows”- “Software Distribution”. Had to reboot and go back to delete all of these files. Then after installing KB3102812 and rebooting again, Windows Update found 200+ updates in a few minutes. Turn off automatic checking for updates and click “check for updates”. One tip when you have this many updates to install and don’t want a failure that reverts changes, install the updates in sections. First install all your .NetFramework updates then next install your Security Updates then after that install all that remains then the process won’t fail and revert changes.
Thanks very much for the suggestions! Laptop with Win7 Professional would hang up (many hours) while checking for updates. I figured it was a failed installation of an older update, but Microsoft website could not fix it even after running Windows Update Troubleshooting tool, and SFC scan.
Method #4, the Offline updating tool, worked perfectly! I was a bit hesitant at first, but your step by step instructions were easy to follow and the download proceeded smoothly. After 2 reboots/recalls, I had my system back! Once that was done, I was able to run Windows Update again, and it found new updates which installed quickly and flawlessly. Thanks Neil!
Thank you,
#4 worked.
on number 4 ive selected the right program windows 8.1 x64 bit and after i do the update installer i have opened up the client folder and i zip the updateinstaller.exe and i don’t have the option to restart what can I do
Thanks so much for the clear step by step instructions. It took a while just because I followed your instructions to wait an hour on each of my first two attempts to repair windows update. Method 2.2 worked for me. I’m running Windows 7 64 bit on a 9 year old Toshiba laptop which due to people like yourself and the folks at securitytango I don’t need to buy a new laptop yet. I’m sure my days with this laptop are numbered, but as a teacher, I really appreciate folks like you who can teach someone with a moderate level of computer knowledge how to work through issues like this.
Thanks again.
#4: Offline Windows Update Tool worked for me finally (after trying many MS ‘fixes’).
Outstanding – thank you!
Installing update 1 of 9 (stage size: 80)…
Verifying integrity of ..\w61-x64\glb\Windows6.1-KB2533623-x6
Warning: Hash files ..\md\hashes-w61-x64-glb.txt and ..\md\ha
t found.
Installing ..\w61-x64\glb\Windows6.1-KB2533623-x64.msu…
Installing update 2 of 9 (stage size: 80)…
Verifying integrity of ..\w61-x64\glb\Windows6.1-KB2639308-x6
Warning: Hash files ..\md\hashes-w61-x64-glb.txt and ..\md\ha
t found.
Installing ..\w61-x64\glb\Windows6.1-KB2639308-x64.msu…
Installing update 3 of 9 (stage size: 80)…
Verifying integrity of ..\w61-x64\glb\Windows6.1-KB2670838-x6
Warning: Hash files ..\md\hashes-w61-x64-glb.txt and ..\md\ha
t found.
Installing ..\w61-x64\glb\Windows6.1-KB2670838-x64.msu…
Installing update 4 of 9 (stage size: 80)…
Verifying integrity of ..\w61-x64\glb\Windows6.1-KB2729094-v2
Warning: Hash files ..\md\hashes-w61-x64-glb.txt and ..\md\ha
t found.
Installing ..\w61-x64\glb\Windows6.1-KB2729094-v2-x64.msu…
stuck now for 2 hours!!
Any advice ?
i try to run the offline updater and get this error:
14/11/2016 11:52:33.61 – Info: Starting offline update (v. 6.0) on ALLAN-PC (user: Allan)
14/11/2016 11:52:33.61 – Info: Option /instdotnet detected
14/11/2016 11:52:33.62 – Info: Option /autoreboot detected
14/11/2016 11:52:33.63 – Info: Option /showlog detected
14/11/2016 11:52:38.01 – Error: Environment variable OS_NAME not set
14/11/2016 11:52:38.05 – Info: Ending update
14/11/2016 11:53:06.76 – Info: Starting offline update (v. 6.0) on ALLAN-PC (user: Allan)
14/11/2016 11:53:06.76 – Info: Option /showlog detected
14/11/2016 11:53:07.06 – Error: Environment variable OS_NAME not set
14/11/2016 11:53:07.07 – Info: Ending update
Hey, I’ve tried everyone of the methods, including #4 atleast 3 times. It still does not work. When i click the “updateinstaller.exe”, it doesnt reboot. I’ve also tried closing windows update in “services” before. Please help me, most of my programs wont work because of it.
Hi Neil
Can you tell me if after Step 2.2, – once I have installed KB3102810 do I restart the Windows Update agent BEFORE trying to update windows? Or run the update with this service still stopped?
Thanks
FINALLY, I found a solution to not being able to update my Win 7 Professional. After 2-3 days, I got to the second step of the process, when it finally worked on my computer!
Thanks
Windows Update. What a PITA! I followed steps 2 and 3 to get out of the endless loop. Thank you.
Thank you, Thank you! After numerous website “solutions”, this was the only one that actually worked! Completed task #2 and my Win 7 Ultimate was finally able to install its first ever updates! Keep up the excellent work.
I had to resort to step 4 and the process has gone very smoothly, just waiting for the missing updates to install. It’s been a few hours but this has been so helpful.
Thank you SO much to the original poster 🙂
This was perfect! Worked like a charm. Microsoft needs to get their act together. No reason to go through this much trouble to update the system
Method 4 (wsusoffline) get stuck on “listing ids” (for more than 180 hours) with a system process using between 67% to 99% of CPU all the time, and with HDD activity is ZERO !, no sound at all… and the process that access HDD is called “System” no other one i could see … On first minutes of being “listing ids” on screen the HDD activity was heavy (also, it sounds a lot of head movement).
ProcessExplorer (with admin rights) does not give any info on what system process is using almost all the CPU and historic HDD I/O shows that only HDD was being accesed of first few minutes, after then HDD access is below 1%, i kill wsusoffline (or better say DoUpdate) and start it again…
The one using near 100% CPU is C:\windows\system32\svchost.exe -k netsvcs and if i kill it the CPU goes to 0% (with System Idle Process with more than 90%), but wsus still stuck.
The internal script where it is stuck is:
C:\Windows\System32\cscript.exe //Nologo //B //E:vbs ListMissingUpdateIds.vbs
runned from C:\TEMP\wsusoffline\cmd\
and if i will it i can read on the log:
Warning: Service ‘wuauserv’ did not reach state ‘RUNNING’ (timeout occured)
But service wuauserv is listed as running on services and if i try to run net start wuauserv it also say it is started.
I had also tried to stop / start wuauserv while stuck on listing IDS, etc … did not help !
Same problem… stuck on “listing ids”… chkdsk /F C:, reboot, net stop wuauserv, etc.. does not solve it… neither deleting %temp%, etc.
Side note: The PC has no Internet connection and must have never ever been connected (for security reasons), it must be allways isolated form Internet since prior to format the HDD (not to mention Windows activation must be done by phone call).
Any help is wellcome !
Did you ever get an answer? I am also stuck there.
Recalling update…
Starting WSUS Offline Update (v. 10.8) at 20:31:34.87…
Checking user’s privileges…
Determining system’s properties…
Checking number of automatic recalls…
Determining Windows licensing info…
Found Microsoft Windows version: 6.3.9600.17415 (w63 x64 enu sp0)
Found Microsoft Windows Software Licensing Management Tool info…
Name: Windows(R), Core edition
Description: Windows(R) Operating System, OEM_DM channel
Partial Product Key: P9WJQ
License Status: Licensed
Checking medium content…
Medium build date: 11/24/2016
Medium supports Microsoft Windows (w63 x64 glb).
Disabling screensaver…
Checking Windows 8.1 / Server 2012 R2 Update Rollup April 2014 installation stat
e…
Checking Windows 8.1 / Server 2012 R2 Update Rollup Nov. 2014 installation state
…
Checking Windows Installer version…
Checking Windows Script Host version…
Checking Internet Explorer version…
Checking C++ Runtime Libraries’ installation state…
Checking Microsoft Silverlight version…
Determining Microsoft Silverlight installation file version…
Checking .NET Framework 3.5 installation state…
Checking .NET Framework 4 installation state…
Checking Windows Management Framework installation state…
Installing Windows Management Framework…
Installing update 1 of 1 (stage size: 240)…
Verifying integrity of ..\w63-x64\glb\Win8.1AndW2K12R2-KB3134758-x64.msu…
hashdeep64.exe: Audit passed
Installing ..\w63-x64\glb\Win8.1AndW2K12R2-KB3134758-x64.msu…
– This is what I have on my end. I’ve been on it for about 10 hours now. How many hours more do you think should I wait?
I have the same thing. it’s stuck at the install below. I left the computer on for the night but it’s still there. After a reboot it opens the CMD once more and again stops at this point. I will leave it on while i’m at work but i’m not feeling very confident it will be finished when i return later today ;).
So please Neil, help us out! The first three methods did not work, this is the fourth and last option. This is my first time buying Windows legitimate, and this is how Microsoft repays me… ;).
…
Installing Windows 8.1 / Server 2012 R2 Update Rollup Nov. 2014…
Installing update 1 of 3 (stage size: 320)…
Verifying integrity of ..\w63-x64\glb\Windows8.1-KB3000850-x64.msu…
hashdeep64.exe: Audit passed
Installing ..\w63-x64\glb\Windows8.1-KB3000850-x64.msu…
Did you ever get an answer? I am also stuck there
Thank you so much! Step #4 did the magic for me, after banging my head against the wall for 2 days. Great job!
Where is the “clients folder” once the download completes?
Thank you!!!!! Thank you!!!!! Thank you!!!!! Thank you!!!!! Worked great 2.1, 2.2
Big thumbs for the autor.
My pc was searching for updates for 2 days.
Step 3 solved my problem instantly.
Thank you!
Hi Neil. Thank You! after googling multiple sites and trying many different options from Microsoft and others, your step two actually worked! The key was disabling the Windows update using the cmd Window in Administrator mode. That is no where in MS documentation for some strange reason…
Two comments and a questions.
Comment 1) I suggest you move the part about cmd in admin mode ABOVE the MSU file description in 2.1. The user has to do that step first so it makes logical sense to read it first. I bet there are lots of people who tried to install the MSU because the didn’t finish reading the step before acting. Then when it didn’t work they threw up there hands and said the whole thing didn’t work without even reading the remainder and realizing you have to do the second part of the step first. make sense?
Comment 2) Move this comment box to the top of the topic… took me a while looking around for a button or how to reply here.. particularly on a long thread like this where you have to scroll way down to get here.
Question 1) While this worked it in then took almost 3 hours to download and install 223 updates. Do you know of any way to get a list of all these and have them pre-downloaded and maybe on another drive somewhere to that I can more quickly reload with a reformat? maybe not…
Can any one give me the final solution my windows update is keeping checking for updates without ending
How can I remove the WOUTempAdmin account? I need the password. Thank you
If logged into user account ‘WOUTempAdmin’, click start button and select ‘Switch user’ from the drop-down menu on the ‘Shut down’ button and switch to your normal user account and do the following (Do the same if you are already in your own user account): Click Start button, then the icon above account name on the right. The window for “Make changes to your user account” will open. Select ‘Manage another account’, and select ‘WOUTempAdmin’ account and select to remove this account.
Thank you steps 1 and 2 did it for me.
Update Windows Update Agent (Windows 8.1/7 SP 1) and Windows Update Troubleshooter & Update Errors solved the problem
thank you very much!!
Very good.Had same issue as everyone else but got it right after carefully following instructions up to Step 2.2, and within minutes the updates were detected and started to download.
Tip: If one had a bad start by trying other methods, this can introduce further problems that cannot be solved by above methods. In my case I went back and did a fresh Win 7 (SP1) install on my Dell, formatting the hard drive as well as deleting partitions previously created. The fresh install creates it’s own partitions. Then I installed the drivers that came with the PC (from a disk), and then immediately followed the above steps with great care, without doing any intervening steps that could ‘spoil’ the process.
Hi I’m having troubles updating my windows 8.1 .. I tried to upgrade to windows 10 using the Media Creation Tool, but the upgrade fails with the following error 0x80070002 – 0x20007 “The installation failed in the SAFE_OS phase with an error during INSTALL_DRIVERS operation”
Please Help …
My laptop is in a constant cycle of trying to load updates and saying having to revert back, over and over.
My laptop does not give me the opportunity to have a start screen or able to get out of this loop. Please help. Jay
I did Step 4 and now after about 6 hours, my Win 10 Update is STILL searching for updates — just like it did before Step 4.
I will let you know if it finally works, but it looks the same as it was before installing the offline updates.
It has now been 26 hours and still checking for updates. Therefore, 100% Solved is inaccurate.
I am thinking that the problem has to to with the proprietary HP backup partition that the laptop came with, and to which the factory condition restore I had to do to get my mouse/pointing devices working again.
I would greatly appreciate advice as to how to get Win 10 back installed on this laptop again.
Thanks in advance,
Thank you very very very very much!!!!! You don’t know how much time I spent searching for the solutions!!!! It was really a pain when I even couldn’t run Office as it said missing some files which should be included in Windows Update. Step 2 is really simple but totally powerful that no where else shows us to do!!
Thank you once more time for your support!!!!
FLUSHDNS (Step 2) was the key for my Windows 7 installation! MANY thanks for your expertise!!
Step #4 ran well (after trying all the previous ones) and is not “stuck” on installing kb3172605. Nothing seems to have changed in more than 5 and a half hours. (Looking at the timestamps on the ‘wsusoffline’ folder and its contents.) A few questions:
1) Any way to confirm something is actually still happening?
2) What are ramifications of stopping it and starting again? (I will likely let it run for many many more hours since I made it this far.)
Thank you for you help!
Oops, meant “now stuck” in first sentence.
Thank you!!!! After using the recovery partition to clean my laptop the update ceased working. Your page helped after I had hit a wall. Now I just have 200 updates to perform. Thank again.
Thank you so much!
I have an hp mini 2133 netbook bought in 2007 and it was not in use because of its OS Win XP. I decided to make it run with Win 8.1. I worked on it since summer trying everything in the world to make it function smoothly. I installed several times all the known OSs (except of Win 10) and finally I came to the conclusion, that win 8.1 is the best OS for it. But it didn’t want to let me install it. Your method 2.1 was a tremendous help to fix the problem. Now it ‘s running like clockwork.
Thank you again!
Best regards
Despoina
My win 7 pro was checking for updates for 2 1/2 days on more than one PC!
2.1 fixed! You are my hero!
OK, I’m trying opt 4 since nothing else works. I went through most all steps and it took hours to download all the updates. I assume it downloaded all the updates for Windows 10 so far. So, now before I take the plunge and click on update installer, how do I keep this thing from installing the Windows 10 Anniversary update? That’s what got me in this mess to begin with.
Thanks for writing this software BTW.
I had to reformat my PC because I couldn’t get certain programs to install from the CS6 installation file. Once I reformatted I ran into the Windows Update issue where it keeps checking for updates. I scoured the Web for solutions and literally tried them all. None of the ones I found worked, except for a solution posted by ThrashZone on the Seven Forums.
I’m posting this solution here in case anyone else has this issue and stumble upon this page.
============================
KB3020369 & KB3125574 & KB3172605 all can be downloaded from the Microsoft catalog using internet explorer (or any browser).
Microsoft Update Catalog: http://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Home.aspx
1) Install windows without an internet connection and as soon as you get to your win-7
desktop switch the update settings to Never check for updates or it will clash with the stand alone installers
2) You will also need to ensure the built in windows update service is not running if it is Stop it and set to manual or it will conflict with the stand alone installers.
Disable Windows Update Agent Before Installation
1. Using the admin CMD prompt
2. Type net stop wuauserv
3. And hit enter
3) KB3125574 is a very large update and will take a while to install be sure switch hibernation to off and also sleep mode (open Start and type in “power options”, then set both to “Never”)
4) Manually install KB3020369 Required for the next 2 to be installed.
5) Manually install KB3125574 This one has all update through April 2016 in it so it will take a little time to install considering there are 350 updates to date so it’s a good thing to wait a while for it to install.
6) Manually install KB3172605 Newest update client included in this one to get the update system working.
7) Afterwards reset the windows updates service to what it was before/ Default and update settings to your preference and check for updates. Should be only 50 or so updates left to install.
============================
This is the only solution that worked for me. Make sure you run the CMD line to stop the Windows Update service before you install each update. Then restart your computer and do the steps again for the next update. After installing all 3 of these updates my WU started working again.
Thank you, after struggling for days with a Win8.1 laptop that wouldn’t update (and trying literally every other solution on the Internet), KB3138615 finally did the trick. I was honestly about to give up and buy Win10 for that laptop, or throw it in the bin.
Hi Neil. Had a problems with down loading win 7 updates. Tried all your solutions, the only one that worked for me was your mention “download.wsusoffline.net. This one did updated all the updates. The only problem that I’m having is that on boot up it keeps on changing the sign in identification for password. I comes up with ID: wouttempadmin. it asks for a password. sometimes if you type tjhe whole ID it boots into windows, Other times not and I have to keep on trying all known passwords,
ie: wouttempadmin, temp, admin and so on the times it has booted I’ve gone to ControPanel “CP” and have deleted the wouttempadmin account. Even though it doesn,t show up on CP when you shut off and restart the sign in ID for wouttempadmin plus password comes up. Any where it is stored at tjhe registry ?
Thank u in advance.
Jim
After over a week of searching for a resolution to the Windows Update problem, I came across your solution. Steps 2.1, 2.2. and 3 worked for me. Thanks very much!
Note that in a steps 2.1 and 2.2, you have to “Disable Windows Update Agent Before Installation”. You must run CMD in Administrator mode for the “net stop wuauserv” to work.
You are a saviour.
Many thanks for this comprehensive advice. I have now found over 200 updates and hope they will all install!
Many thanks to you for writing this excellent guide to resolving this issue. I’ve completed numerous Windows 7 fresh installs and have NEVER run into this issue. There are a number of web articles that discuss it but your page is THE best resource for actually solving it, not talking about it. Steps 2.1 and 2.2 resolved it completely. I can’t tell you how relieved I was to see the update process finally take and get off the “Checking for Updates” bar.
Thanks so much. Great work here.
thx! sum of ur method helped me! am really grateful. 🙂
Neil,How would you like to be my hero once again! I have a Dell Latitude D620 that I am getting”invalid configuration information,please run setup program” The problem started right after motherboard replace! I put old motherboard back and still same problem!Swapped out processor and cmos battery,no help! The f keys do not work! I googled the problem but no help as the assume that the f keys are working! Any help would be appreciated as I am trying to fix for my Granddaughter! Thanks Jim Raymond
Hi – thanks for putting up this page. My Dell PC was stuck on Windows Update and your steps 1-3 sorted it out.
Dear Neil,
I’m still having trouble after following your steps. Methods 1-3 didn’t work, and I feel like method 4 is my best chance. But I encounter my first error while running UpdateGenerator.exe. The error, after finishing the update download, is “ERROR: Catalog file ..\client\wsus\wsusscn2.cab signature verification failure.” This is the text of the log file:
Tue 12/27/2016 22:33:39.48 – Info: Starting WSUS Offline Update download (v. 10.8.1) for w100-x64 glb
Tue 12/27/2016 22:33:39.48 – Info: Option /includedotnet detected
Tue 12/27/2016 22:33:39.49 – Info: Option /verify detected
Tue 12/27/2016 22:33:39.50 – Info: Option /exitonerror detected
Tue 12/27/2016 22:33:39.66 – Info: Set time zone to LOC8:00
2016-12-27 22:33:40 URL:http://download.wsusoffline.net/StaticDownloadFiles-modified.txt [138/138] -> “../static/StaticDownloadFiles-modified.txt” [1]
2016-12-27 22:33:41 URL:http://download.wsusoffline.net/ExcludeDownloadFiles-modified.txt [0/0] -> “../exclude/ExcludeDownloadFiles-modified.txt” [1]
2016-12-27 22:33:42 URL:http://download.wsusoffline.net/StaticUpdateFiles-modified.txt [63/63] -> “../client/static/StaticUpdateFiles-modified.txt” [1]
2016-12-27 22:33:43 URL:http://download.wsusoffline.net/ExcludeUpdateFiles-modified.txt [0/0] -> “../client/exclude/ExcludeUpdateFiles-modified.txt” [1]
Tue 12/27/2016 22:33:43.02 – Info: Updated static and exclude definitions for download and update
Tue 12/27/2016 22:33:45.33 – Info: Downloaded/validated mkisofs tool
Tue 12/27/2016 22:33:45.87 – Info: Downloaded Sysinternals’ tools Autologon, Sigcheck and Streams
Tue 12/27/2016 22:35:41.71 – Info: Downloaded/validated most recent Windows Update catalog file
Tue 12/27/2016 22:35:41.71 – Warning: Deleted unsigned file “C:\Users\Matthew\Desktop\wsusoffline1081\wsusoffline\client\wsus\wsusscn2.cab”
Tue 12/27/2016 22:35:42.10 – Error: Catalog file ..\client\wsus\wsusscn2.cab signature verification failure
——————————————————————————–
Tue 12/27/2016 23:23:24.39 – Info: Starting WSUS Offline Update download (v. 10.8.1) for w100-x64 glb
Tue 12/27/2016 23:23:24.41 – Info: Option /includedotnet detected
Tue 12/27/2016 23:23:24.41 – Info: Option /verify detected
Tue 12/27/2016 23:23:24.43 – Info: Option /exitonerror detected
Tue 12/27/2016 23:23:24.55 – Info: Set time zone to LOC8:00
Tue 12/27/2016 23:23:27.25 – Info: Updated static and exclude definitions for download and update
Tue 12/27/2016 23:23:27.67 – Info: Downloaded/validated mkisofs tool
Tue 12/27/2016 23:23:28.31 – Warning: Integrity database ..\client\md\hashes-wsus.txt not found
Tue 12/27/2016 23:25:11.63 – Info: Downloaded/validated most recent Windows Update catalog file
Tue 12/27/2016 23:25:11.63 – Warning: Deleted unsigned file “C:\Users\Matthew\Desktop\wsusoffline1081\wsusoffline\client\wsus\wsusscn2.cab”
Tue 12/27/2016 23:25:11.96 – Error: Catalog file ..\client\wsus\wsusscn2.cab signature verification failure
Then running updateInstaller.exe, this is the text I receive:
Starting WSUS Offline Update (v. 10.8.1) at 23:29:11.90…
Checking user’s privileges…
Determining system’s properties…
Determining Windows licensing info…
Found Microsoft Windows version: 10.0.10586.494 (w100 x64 enu sp0)
Found Microsoft Windows Software Licensing Management Tool info…
Name: Windows(R), Core edition
Description: Windows(R) Operating System, RETAIL channel
Partial Product Key: 8HVX7
License Status: Licensed
Found Microsoft Office 2007 Word version: 12.0.6752.5000 (o2k7 enu sp3)
Checking medium content…
Medium does not support Microsoft Windows (w100 x64 enu).
Medium does not support Microsoft Office (ofc glb).
ERROR: Medium neither supports your Windows nor your Office version.
Ending WSUS Offline Update at 23:29:14.00…”
I am 100% confident I am selecting the right Windows Version. (Windows 10 64-bit). Please help! Thank you.
I worked my way down to solution #4 and it’s the one that worked for me. The manual update must have overwritten something that had become corrupted because automatic updates is working again. How sweet it is!
Hello.
I think I really screwed up my computer because Google Chrome doesn’t even look like it used to.
I’ve never updated Chrome or Explorer from Windows 7 SP1. Premium Home version.
Updates stopped working in July.
Troubleshooter and Diagnostics has not worked about that long either.
Have tried Method 1, 2, and 3 yet nothing works. I can’t figure out how to do Method 4, too complicated.
Do I do these in Internet Explorer or Google Chrome?
Internet Explorer says my browser is not up to date but no newer versions will download.
I really need clear simple steps.
Would be so very grateful if you could help me get my Chrome to look like it used to and to get all the updates and diagnostic troubleshooters wizards to work again.
Deb
please my winrar is working, is telling me expire can anyone help?
Problem solved until I tried step 4, thanks so much for the help!!! I’ll let more people know about these methods you have provided. Without your help, my windows update would always run in the background which heats up my surface pro and uses up my batteries rapidly.
On Method #4, I don’t even know where or how to “extract the zip file”, let alone the other steps.
Method 2.1 worked for me first time! Thank you! I cannot keep wondering how can Microsoft come up with an update that ruins our PCs and then let us spend hours or days (as in my case) sorting their mess up. What did those updates fix in the first place?
Was at my wits end. Hp computer just stopped updating after windows 10 upgrade failed even after I restored to factory image. Method 2 worked and computer is now updating. After a long day of updates. I should have tried method 2 before resetting to factory settings. Great advice thank you
Method 4 with win 8.1 seems to be ok for me,
but ‘Check the automatic reboot and recall’ made the last step a bit confusing with user accounts issue, i cannot reproduce what i did at last step with a strange user-account produced after automatic restart, it is not there anymore, but now i work again in my usual user-account
and system update with searching updates runs as normal, when i click it, i report when i notice strange things next days, thank you very much…
Just wanted to say “Thanks” for this thread!! I had to wipe and re-install an old PC that came with Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 media that was about 4 years old. As soon as I tried the first “Windows Update”, it just hung for several hours. I figured it was stuck, found this discussion from a Google search, installed the suggested KBs (stopping the Windows Update service as you suggested), and that got me going! I am now to the point where my PC is midway through installing several hundred updates (as expected) but proceeding normally instead of just being stuck. In all seriousness, there is a special place in heaven for those people who understand computer problems and post clearly-written and understandable solutions to them in forums like these so that many others can benefit from their knowledge. You REALLY made my day. And for what it’s worth, I work for another computer company (NOT Microsoft) but often face baffling technical problems on my PCs. I look at the time it often takes an experienced tech professional like myself to figure things out and then wonder how people with no experience using computers are ever supposed to figure things out. Thanks again for what you did for me (and others) today.
A big thank you for your post on this. I struggled for a couple days with not being able to update a new Windows 7 reinstall and fortunately I found your site. Completely agree with Erik’s sentiment above. Thank you!
Followed steps 1-2.2 and windows update is working! Thanks so much!
I have one question to Neil about Method 4 for win 8.1:
When i have the ‘same’ update problem after some times again, can i run the same Updateinstaller.exe, which i have now in the client-dir of Method 4 or have i to delete all and install Method 4 new?
Method 4 worked for me, windows hadn’t updated since July 27th 2016 and it wasn’t my computer
Think some of the issue was due to gwxcontrolpanel software borked windows update
Thanks for the thread!
I’m on Windows 7 Service Pack 1. Just finished all the steps & I’m now stuck at Step 4. After the download finished, I clicked on clients folder & updateinstaller.exe. It’s still running & hangs at Installing update 2 of 4:
Verifying………
hashdeep64.exe: Audit passed
Installing…… \w61-61-glb-Windows6.1-KB2830477-x64.msu…
It has been there for hours. Is it normal? Please advise!
Thanks!
I tried method 2.1 for Windows 8.1, but the file is no longer available for download. Are there any alternate links to get it from?
I updated last in Nov 2016, and at the time it was working fine. I recently updated a lot of device drivers, and now Windows Update is stuck in ‘Checking for Updates’.
Thank you. Method 2.1 solved “update stuck problem”.
Thank you for this, helpful info. I’ve yet to succeed but am trying your suggestions. Would just like to say that it’s pretty shameful that an ancient OS like Windows still has such issues. I’m primarily a Linux user and never see such problems (there are other bugs of course, but something as basic as updating the os with either patches or new versions has never been a problem in my experience). I’d like to suggest to your readers that they dump Windows for Linux, which has gotten 1000% more user friendly in recent years!
Great outline , my computer windows 8.1 x64 seems to be stuck on” listing ids of missing updates” how long should that take.
What worked for me was to run WSUS and then when it seems to be stuck, I run the command to stop the Windows Update service, and it promptly jumps to the next update, and I kept repeating that command until it told me the installation was successful and I should restart. Upon clicking the shutdown options button, I was elated to see that the options were now “Update and Restart”. Yay!
Hey, I used the last method with the Offline Windows Update Tool on an old laptop that runs on 7 Starter.
Like the post before me, I’m stuck at step 4 : After starting updateinstaller.exe, it gets stuck at ” Listing ids of missing updates (please be patient…)”. It’s been more than 24h.
Any thoughts?
Thanks
hey neil,
i have windows 7 and i need to get the update to run LabVIEW but it is saying that the update is not compatible with my laptop after 30 minutes of loading.
how do i fix this?
AFTER MANY TRY OF 1 &2 I FINALLY GOT MY UPDATE FIX. THANKS FOR THE INFO
I have been searching for WEEKS on how to get some computers I found at our organization to update. I am not a computer wizard, but I am not a novice either. Finding answers with many things in the Microsoft world is very confusing on the Internet. Updating your operating system should be so automatic…in fact I thought it WAS automatically happening!
Niel, oddly enough, I found bits and pieces of your methods in other places, but this was so helpful! The sequential manner, the links built right into your explainations. Thank you. I did not have success until Method 4. I had not seen the “Offline Installer” (or what ever that was) But it worked on two of the more stubborn computers that just would not update for me.
Why does Microsoft make everything so hard? Rather than fix things in the opperating system, they create these fixing tools that you have to find and download. Or worse yet…you have to find things made by third parties to try to fix the problemS. This is why I love MAC!
WooooHOOOOO !!! Mr. Neil I have been to Microsoft many times with no luck in fact NO HELP. I happened on to Your posts and BAM set 2 helped me my windows 8.1 now I have 221 updates . You da MAN !!
It doesn’t appear that anyone is responding to comments for a while but I thought I might try anyway since I’m stuck and don’t see any other issues like it. I have Windows 8.1 and got stuck at this step;
after successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache;
C:\Windows\System32>net stop wuauserv
The service is not responding to the control function.
More help is available by typing NET HELP MSG 2186.
I tried ignoring this and continuing by downloading the Windows Update Agent for 8.1 64-bit and although it downloaded, it would then be caught for more than an hour Searching for Windows Updates, before I stopped it.
Any help greatly appreciated.
The final offline method worked a dream for my win7 laptop (thinkpad w520), thanks!
Win update was previously not able to download anything for the last 6 months, and now is back to normal, no complaints.
I’ve no idea if Its missed updates, but as long as its happy, I’m happy!
BEFORE you run the offline tool which works perfectly by the way, try this first. Run Windows Update on your computer, but DON’T CHECK FOR UPDATES. Go to Change Settings and UNCHECK the box that says Give me updates for other Microsoft products when I update windows and click OK. Reboot your system and then try running Windows Update again. You MAY be very surprised.
This also fixes 2 other problems, 1: Windows Update causing high CPU usage and 2: stops your system from doing add and del_nat_rules in your router every 30 seconds.
If you run the Offline method, IMPORTANT point of note for part 2: If the cmd box shows no activity for a long period of time, while being considered normal, go to task manager and stop the Windows Update service. The cmd box will then complete its task and prompt for reboot. Make sure you checked the box to auto reboot and recall BEFORE using updateinstaller.exe. I had to stop the windows update service at least 3 times.
Received 256 updates on wife’s computer and all installed properly. CPU is now at 2% and router log is clean.
Windows update would run forever, say last checked 6 months ago, and never apply any updates. Tried these methods and none actually worked.
And yes, the offline update takes forever, just let it run.
Found another site that suggested Advanced -> disable Check for Other Microsoft products. This worked! The OS updates got applied. Did a couple of iterations of check, apply, restart. When that was happy, enabled Check for Other Microsoft products and the update worked, updating Office, etc, etc.
Now updating is back to normal. Thanks to all who have posted suggestions!
That’s what I wrote above in the 1st paragraph….
Neil, I appreciate. Problem solved with your instruction.
Your article was closest to possibly assisting me with MS update problem. MSU alerts me at startup that updates are available. I launch Windows Update after start and download starts but remains stuck literally for hours.
I refreshed my pc (Win 8.1) a few days ago and first updates installed, including KB2919355 for 64bit, today, hit the snag sescribed above– what can possibly be wrong? I run Kaspersky Total Security and Windows Update installed fine with it enabled the first time. So seems with me its a slow download problem. I ran the Windows Troubleshooter, but when it returned me to Windows Updates, it said no new updates available. After restarting twice, updates were back again, but its been downloading the whole day and its not even a quarter downloaded yet. I have a 3 year old PB Easynote TE 69BM model and no MS Office installed. Just hope you can help me sort this out, as was already considering backing up file explorer and running PB Recovery, which returns the machine to factory status and starting over completely. Yandex is my default browser, but its never before been a problem for Windows Updates– not for Kaspersky either. Maybe I should consider Ubuntu … feeling pretty low right now. Thanks a span anyway and look forward to your recommendations.