Windows 10 Desktop Trapped in Update Mode

Xarzu

Member
Apr 11, 2008
46
2
71
Every once in a while, my custom desktop computer insists that it must make updates. It is very demanding. It asks if it can do it right away, wait an hour or it sometimes offers me to schedule a time. I have managed to make some screen shots and the next time it goes through this process, I will make a detailed record.

Well, here is the problem. It fails the update and says it is restoring the system to a previous point. The trouble is that it does this all the time lately. It demands that an update is necessary, then fails, then restores.

So my question is this. How can I do the update and/or stop these periodic system updates? Is there a setting somewhere for this.

In the interest of full disclosure, in case you google this, I am going to ask this question around the internet to get a wide range of responses. So don't be surprised if you google for this answer and fine this identical question on another web forum specializing in Windows System Help. But, of course, I will respond to all of them individually. In the past, when I asked a few web forums for help, jerks tend to make a deal about the fact that I have asked for many opinions. We are not dating. So don't feel that I am bring unfaithful.
 

Markfw

Moderator Emeritus, Elite Member
May 16, 2002
26,711
15,757
136
Every once in a while, my custom desktop computer insists that it must make updates. It is very demanding. It asks if it can do it right away, wait an hour or it sometimes offers me to schedule a time. I have managed to make some screen shots and the next time it goes through this process, I will make a detailed record.

Well, here is the problem. It fails the update and says it is restoring the system to a previous point. The trouble is that it does this all the time lately. It demands that an update is necessary, then fails, then restores.

So my question is this. How can I do the update and/or stop these periodic system updates? Is there a setting somewhere for this.

In the interest of full disclosure, in case you google this, I am going to ask this question around the internet to get a wide range of responses. So don't be surprised if you google for this answer and fine this identical question on another web forum specializing in Windows System Help. But, of course, I will respond to all of them individually. In the past, when I asked a few web forums for help, jerks tend to make a deal about the fact that I have asked for many opinions. We are not dating. So don't feel that I am bring unfaithful.
I had a similar issue. The fix, is to backup all your documents, then re-install windows 10 from scratch, wiping the hard disk. Then all will probably be fine.

I would not even boot successfully into safe mode, but after a scratch install it worked fine (using the latest windows 10 on a USB stick to install.) It even figured out my license key was valid after the fact.
 

DrMrLordX

Lifer
Apr 27, 2000
22,409
12,246
136
In the interest of full disclosure, in case you google this, I am going to ask this question around the internet to get a wide range of responses. So don't be surprised if you google for this answer and fine this identical question on another web forum specializing in Windows System Help. But, of course, I will respond to all of them individually. In the past, when I asked a few web forums for help, jerks tend to make a deal about the fact that I have asked for many opinions. We are not dating. So don't feel that I am bring unfaithful.

We have a subforum for Windows OS-related questions where you might get better answers:

https://forums.anandtech.com/forums/windows.10/

Or you can just do what @Markfw recommended.
 

ninaholic37

Golden Member
Apr 13, 2012
1,883
31
91
I created a 2nd limited local account and use it by default (on Windows 10 Home). Before connecting to the internet, I type "Services" in the search, right-click and Run As Administrator, and scroll down to "Windows Update", right-click and press Stop (if it's running) then go to Properties and change Startup Type to "Disabled" and click Apply, then restart to make sure it's still Disabled. Then I only set it to Automatic once in a while when I'm at the library, after setting that to a Metered Connection, then search for "Check for Updates", let it do everything, maybe add a few more apps from the Store, then change it back to Disabled and restart. Two reasons I do this are: 1. my wifi is unreliable and 2. I HATE when I shutdown and have to wait, normally when I Shut Down I'm ready to go to bed or go out somewhere and want it be OFF right away. And reason 3. as you mentioned is that the update is not always reliable anyway and giving Windows 10 the chance to bork once every few weeks or months is better than being cautious about it happening all the time. This has so far worked for me, though I do remember it once or twice trying to update something anyway but I think I might have accidentally kept it on or triggered it back on by giving some program permission or something. I've only been running Windows 10 for a few months though, hopefully things stay this way. If I wasn't able to disable these updates my laptop would have probably been thrown out the window by now from the rage of those unwanted delays when shutting down.
 

Xarzu

Member
Apr 11, 2008
46
2
71
I have decided that the first thing I am going to try is back up everything on an external drive and then completely reinstall Windows 10. I have the ("OEM"?) sticker but the actual product CD has been lost in the move and I can not find it. Does anyone know how I can reinstall the OS with just the product ID etc.?
 

sdifox

No Lifer
Sep 30, 2005
98,125
16,830
126
I have decided that the first thing I am going to try is back up everything on an external drive and then completely reinstall Windows 10. I have the ("OEM"?) sticker but the actual product CD has been lost in the move and I can not find it. Does anyone know how I can reinstall the OS with just the product ID etc.?


Reinstall you don't need key. As long as it is more or less the same machine.
 
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Xarzu

Member
Apr 11, 2008
46
2
71
I preformed one of the fixes on the page you have a link to. And it seems to have had an effect.

Your link is:
https://www.alphr.com/microsoft/100...ws-update-in-windows-10-if-it-becomes-stuck-1

How to fix Windows Update in Windows 10 if it becomes stuck

We reveal the number of ways to jump-start Windows Update if it decides to stop working

Windows Update gets stuck. It's a fact of life. A rubbish fact, mind, but a fact nonetheless. Ever since Windows was capable of updating itself via the internet, it's always got stuck at some point in time. Windows Update being stuck is an inevitability, just like your toast falling butter-side down onto the floor or it always raining on that one day you tell yourself you'll sort the garden out today.
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How to fix Windows Update: Delete files in Software Distribution
This trick, thanks to The Windows Club, involves a little more interaction with your computer’s system settings. It shouldn’t cause any damage to your PC – you’ll only really be deleting temporary Windows Update files – but we’d recommend setting up a System Restore point before going any further.

First, you’ll need to stop Windows Update Service and Background Intelligent Transfer Service. Type "win+x" to bring up the WinX menu, and from here select the command prompt (admin). There are two commands you’ll need to type:

net stop wuauserv

net stop bits

Press Enter after you type each one. This will turn off Windows Update Service and Background Intelligent Transfer Service.

Next, you’ll need to delete the files in C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution. Go to the appropriate folder, select all of the files and press Delete.
If the files can’t be deleted because they're in use, you’ll need to restart your PC. Turn off the two Windows Update services and then try to delete the files again.

Once the folder has been emptied, either restart your computer or manually turn on the Windows Update services. To do this, bring up the command prompt (admin) and type:

net start wuauserv

net start bits

Now run Windows Update and you’ll find that your PC needs to download a number of updates, which can take up to a few hours, depending on your system and connection.

After doing all this, the update window says I am all up to date:

06.JPG

But the update history says that the last install failed:

07.JPG


So, what is up with that?


I noticed that there is a recovery option to reset my PC

04.JPG

But this takes me back to the problem of not having the CD to install the OS

05.jpg

I guess if I am up to date, I don't need the CD now. But it would be nice to know for future use how to do this.
 

Xarzu

Member
Apr 11, 2008
46
2
71
Someone suggest this link as a way to fix the problem:

https://www.alphr.com/microsoft/100...ws-update-in-windows-10-if-it-becomes-stuck-1

So I tried the option on this page that uses

"net stop wuauserv"
and
"net stop bits"

and for a while, I thought I was successful in stopping the update cycle.

But I was wrong. It came back and the computer was again performing an update only to, at the end of the update cycle, automatically reset the OS to en earlier version after it recognized an error.

So, now I am at the point where I want to find a way to back up my system (I have already done this with one of those high capacity external drives) and installing a fresh Operating System. But this takes me back to the problem of not having the CD. Is there some way of doing this with using a USB Thumb Drive? Please advise. Also, what sorts of things do I need to look out for? I imagine I should also back up the registry.
 

sdifox

No Lifer
Sep 30, 2005
98,125
16,830
126
Someone suggest this link as a way to fix the problem:

https://www.alphr.com/microsoft/100...ws-update-in-windows-10-if-it-becomes-stuck-1

So I tried the option on this page that uses

"net stop wuauserv"
and
"net stop bits"

and for a while, I thought I was successful in stopping the update cycle.

But I was wrong. It came back and the computer was again performing an update only to, at the end of the update cycle, automatically reset the OS to en earlier version after it recognized an error.

So, now I am at the point where I want to find a way to back up my system (I have already done this with one of those high capacity external drives) and installing a fresh Operating System. But this takes me back to the problem of not having the CD. Is there some way of doing this with using a USB Thumb Drive? Please advise. Also, what sorts of things do I need to look out for? I imagine I should also back up the registry.

get the latest win10 install iso, then do an in place upgrade

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us...ndows-10/7f0b236e-3c6c-4913-9691-c4baa2a6190a