Windows 7 Can't install updates

[Melena]

I'm currently at a loss here. I got a laptop that I just factory restored. It's windows 7 sp1 64bit, and it just endlessly hangs on checking for updates. I've attempted using the Windows Update repair tool, manually installed kb3135445, and still nothing. Any other ideas? It's a loaner laptop so I'm not horribly worried, but I still like trying to keep things as current as possible. Model is an HP Probook 450 G1

[Arkanna]

Windows Update has been doing that for the last month or two. I've got 4 laptops spread out on my desk, doing this right now.

[The Stig]

When you say hang, do you mean just the bar is moving and just "checking"? Or like a freeze hang.

After cloning my HD to SSD on Vista I had a similar issue and deleted the Windows Update folder (C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution), reran Windows Update (it recreated the folder) I waited long enough (about 4 hours) and eventually it finishes and found the needed updates.

I suspect it's not being very intelligent, as I didn't check for updates for a few months, so it has to go through them 1 by 1, or something. As you just came out of a factory restore, maybe the same holds true.

How long did you wait for?

[Melena]

Just bar moving and endlessly checking. Like 36hrs later.

[The Stig]

Oh, if you literally mean 36 then I can't follow up then haha, I was hoping you said 1 hour (reasonable wait time before giving up) then I was going to suggest leave it overnight.

I guess your next attempt then (I've got no further suggestions for fix) is to update it offline:

http://download.wsusoffline.net/ or http://www.portableupdate.com/ or from official Microsoft https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/323166

I haven't tried any but that's the next best approach I can think of.

[Melena]

Yeah, was about 36. Set it up around 5pm on Tuesday, and was so exhausted yesterday at work I forgot to check, and today around 10am when I went to finish it, it was still sitting there spinning.

[Jamison]

OK, I know this sound stupid, but check the start menu and see if there's the explanation point beside Shut Down for ready-to-install updates. We started running in to this at work a while back, as odd as it is.

[Delayed]

I had the issue with my new build, i tried downloading individual update files online kept saying, I had also randomly shut down with the ( ! ) next to the Shutdown bar, and it would give me errors. I had the wrong date/time on my computer, and after fixing that and getting it to sync properly it seemed to correct things. after I let it run on it's own and started to download GW2 it suddenly sprung to life also, started getting updates coming in finally.
This was after the headache of just simply trying to install win 7 and getting errors over USB 3.0. dealt with that for a while until i purchased a new internal DVD drive to bypass it.

[Niya]

Throwing in another vote for WSUSoffline. Creating the update repo can take a while, but as far as I can tell, it updates systems flawlessly. And we have to patch a LOT of PCs in our office for customers...

[Melena]

Throwing in another vote for WSUSoffline. Creating the update repo can take a while, but as far as I can tell, it updates systems flawlessly. And we have to patch a LOT of PCs in our office for customers...

Typically I use a master image that I duplicate them on. But for some reason these batches of laptops were ordered with 128gb SSD's, and my master is on a 500gb Hard Drive to match every other version of this fucking laptop. The previous person who did this before she retired just ordered whatever people wanted, so shit was a fucking hodge podge of steaming piles of shit.

OK, I know this sound stupid, but check the start menu and see if there's the explanation point beside Shut Down for ready-to-install updates. We started running in to this at work a while back, as odd as it is.

Yeah was first thing I did.

[Jefe]

Had a similar problem with mai Vaio. Things I've done that may or may not work for you (google all):

1. Stop the windows update process and navigate your way to this folder: windows->SoftwareDistribution and rename it to something else, try to update.
2. Download the Windows Update Diagnostic Tool. Try to update.
3. Download the Windows subinacl tool and follow instructions. You'll need to make a cmd file. Try to update.

Turning off your firewall may or may not help.

[Niya]

Heh, if we ever had a large batch again (like those 40+ PCs one of our customers ordered a few years ago) we'd definitely use images/cloning, but 99% of the time we get <5 devices and a wild mix of vendors and included hardware... That's why we love offline update so much and most colleagues (mostly me ) always carry a USB stick with the typical update repo around. And, aside from avoiding multiple update downloads, the offline updater prevents some nasty update "bugs" like the nice "install 2012R2, install all offered updates, get endless 'updates get rolled back' reboot loop"...