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Windows 7 won't update any longer

Raizinman

Raizinman

Platinum Member
Just finished cleaning a computer from malware and viruses. Everything works great except I can no longer update Windows. I first tried using the Troubleshooting that is built in and it locked up. I’ve also been to the Microsoft site and did their troubleshooting. I’ve spent the day jumping from one Windows 7 site to another trying all the various fixes, but nothing worked. I’m really trying to avoid reinstalling Windows. Is there some utility besides the below that can fix this?


SystemMechanic

AShampoo

Tweakbit FixMyPC

Tweak.com


And yes, I’ve ran Malwarebytes and McAfee and it continues to come out clean.


What can fix this? I have the original Windows disk, but I don’t think that will help? Or will it?


Running: Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit


Any help would be appreciated.
 
Raizinman said:
Just finished cleaning a computer from malware and viruses. Everything works great except I can no longer update Windows. I first tried using the Troubleshooting that is built in and it locked up. I’ve also been to the Microsoft site and did their troubleshooting. I’ve spent the day jumping from one Windows 7 site to another trying all the various fixes, but nothing worked. I’m really trying to avoid reinstalling Windows. Is there some utility besides the below that can fix this?


SystemMechanic

AShampoo

Tweakbit FixMyPC

Tweak.com


And yes, I’ve ran Malwarebytes and McAfee and it continues to come out clean.


What can fix this? I have the original Windows disk, but I don’t think that will help? Or will it?


Running: Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit


Any help would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

Oh, some of those dirty repair utilities hurt more than they help sometimes 😉

Try this (page 2, post #19) and see if that helps at all:

http://www.sevenforums.com/windows-...ot-working-hangs-while-searching-updates.html
 
I've seen malware modify windows update registry settings to point to invalid WSUS servers to break windows update. Make sure the latest servicing stack update is installed (you can and should run the msu package while the windows update service is stopped). While wuaserv is stopped, also stop the background intelligent transfer service and rename or delete c:\windows\softwaredistribution then reboot and try to update.
 
Not update - Meaning the little wheel would spin indefinitely and never stop.

NEW: Tried a friends Tweak.com program that he promised would solve this problem: it locked up my computer and would not even boot. Fortunately, I recently saved all my data.

Going to bite the bullet and format and start with a fresh install. At some point you just need to throw in the towel and start fresh.
 
I've noticed recently that even after getting a notification about an update, Windows 7 update connections can go over an hour before downloading anything. I have two Win 7 machines, and both were updated last week, but it took several hours to get access to the MS server. Lately, I just set it and then go off to dinner or something else, and when I come back it is done, and asks for a reboot. I sense that this is just another way MS is
 
corkyg said:
I've noticed recently that even after getting a notification about an update, Windows 7 update connections can go over an hour before downloading anything. I have two Win 7 machines, and both were updated last week, but it took several hours to get access to the MS server. Lately, I just set it and then go off to dinner or something else, and when I come back it is done, and asks for a reboot. I sense that this is just another way MS is
Click to expand...
Yes, it is indeed convenient around the time 7 takes share from 10. The workaround is to install a "magic" combination of updates and it does work. Skip to step 2 "Try to install KB 3172605"
 
Raizinman said:
NEW: Tried a friends Tweak.com program that he promised would solve this problem: it locked up my computer and would not even boot.
Click to expand...

Yeah, don't do that. Every time I'm on these forums and I hear about users doing xyz with some_program.exe it makes me cringe. If your system has gotten to the point where you need a registry/file cleaner, you need to reinstall. You never, EVER need a 'speed up computer!' program or 'secure all the things!' program. The only thing these programs can or will do is break stuff. If they don't break stuff, it's probably the Windows equivalent of a placebo.

As for your original problem, I'd check out C:\Windows\WindowsUpdate.log. There's likely something in there indicating the problem. If it looks like it's doing 'stuff' correctly, just let it sit, even if it sits for a day or more. Might be issues it's working through, you might be missing 900 updates, it might have problems contacting MS's WSUS system, who knows.
 
corkyg said:
Well, KB3172605 was already installed last July. Since it was present for duty, it must not have had any effect on current updates.
Click to expand...
That is just the tip of the iceberg, the following steps detail around half a dozen needed to rectify WU.

This one is a little more clear.

The final list I've compiled is:

KB3172605
KB3078601
KB3109094
KB3138612
KB3147539
KB3164033
KB3168965
KB3138615

And the automated script.
 
Last edited:
Great list! Got a Win 7 update yesterday PM, and it included rollup KB3197868. Only took 45 minutes including the Maliciojus Software scan. That's an improvement. 🙂
 
corkyg said:
Great list! Got a Win 7 update yesterday PM, and it included rollup KB3197868. Only took 45 minutes including the Maliciojus Software scan. That's an improvement. 🙂
Click to expand...
Nice! Who knows why certain updates cause 7 to jump into action but at least we can carry this updates on a keychain now :laughing:
 
I've been having similar-ish problems with computers in my household:

https://forums.anandtech.com/thread...cpu-core-forever-with-windows-update.2491444/

Applying updates I knew to be missing manually to the Vista box has not helped it, but has done the trick for the time being on my two Win7 PCs. I haven't yet decided how to approach this problem as far as customers are concerned (if it becomes widespread), because in the past this problem has been rare and so when all else failed I'd back up their data and do a clean install of Windows.
 
I have 4 W7 PC's that I maintain, I've noticed that the more MS software you have, the longer it takes to update (i.e. one computer doesn't have any Office stuff, etc.) There were times it took almost an hour to even find any updates, so I would do what Corky does... set it and go do something else. I've noticed lately the updater is better, taking only a few minutes to find updates in most cases.

In the OP's case, I would probably just clean install...
 
Got my #2 Win7 system updated yesterday. I did not go after it, but let it come to me via Notification Area. It did, and it included the new Win 7 Rollup as well as Office updates and the Malicious Software tool. Only took about 20 minutes. So far, we're 2 for 2 with 1 to go this month.
 
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