Windows 7 Update is taking forever...

[Macman]

Recently rebooted my PC as I didn't like Windows 10, wanted to wipe everything from scratch.

HDD wiped etc and didn't bother with updates etc, just didn't occur to me probably because I was using Windows 10 for a period of time.

Anyways, decided to update via Windows Update as I couldn't install Photoshop as I was missing important files from what I assume comes from SP1 or SP2?

So I leave Windows Update overnight thinking, it will download all updates and install accordingly as I have instructed it to do so. By morning, it is still 'searching' (I know I know I know I have just wasted power).

So I was thinking maybe I've done something wrong, perhaps corrupted something etc as I've tried downloading and executing fixes for the Windows Update Long Downloading times.

Thought to myself, wipe it all and the very first thing you do is the windows update before anything else. Well that was last night, woke up and it is still searching.

I have my own disk and legit Windows 32&64Bit with License Key.

Help anyone?

P.s. Now that I'm thinking about it, do we need to MANUALLY authorise/activate our windows license?

[shaithis]

I have had Windows 7, 8.1 and 10 all fail to get updates recently.

I normally find manually downloading and installing a service pack or cumulative update tends to kick things into working.

[peterb]

"Microsoft Big Brother has detected that you have failed to conform to our directive that all Windows computers shall be Windows 10 or later, in our quest for world domination. For daring to make a choice against our collective will, your updates are frozen and your windows will be forever closed and the blinds drawn. Such is the punishment for dissent."

[Macman]

"Microsoft Big Brother has detected that you have failed to conform to our directive that all Windows computers shall be Windows 10 or later, in our quest for world domination. For daring to make a choice against our collective will, your updates are frozen and your windows will be forever closed and the blinds drawn. Such is the punishment for dissent."

[DanceswithUnix]

That sounds familiar from my last Windows 7 reinstall on my laptop, there was something I had to mess with to get update working, but that was ages ago so I can't remember the details sorry

A manual service pack install would be my first try though.

[Macman]

That sounds familiar from my last Windows 7 reinstall on my laptop, there was something I had to mess with to get update working, but that was ages ago so I can't remember the details sorry

A manual service pack install would be my first try though.

I'm sure my Windows Install disks states includes SP1 so would I just download SP2??

[g8ina]

http://www.tomsguide.com/answers/id-...ws-update.html

THIS is the only thing that fixed my update.

We emphasize that for this to work, you must follow exactly as this describes.

There are two main types of Windows 7 installations: 32 bit or 64 bit. You need to know what is installed in your computer. Click the Start globe, type system in the box. Choose System information in the list. The techie shorthand for 32 bit is x86 and for 64 bit is x64

1. Start Windows Update and change the Setting to Never check for updates. Close the Windows Update window. Some members recommend you return the setting to what ever you used before this operation, after you complete Windows Update. IF you do leave the setting at NEVER, Windows Update will no longer be automatic. From this point onwards, you are responsible for starting and installing updates. We recommend you do that a few days following the 2nd Tuesday each month.

2. Restart your computer.

3. The process starts by ensuring that there is nothing running that will prevent the update from working properly. Click on the Start globe and type services into the text box. Click on Services in the list that pops up. In the window that then pops up (its alphabetic), find Windows Update. Right-click on it (left-click if your mouse is set for left-handers) and choose Stop.

4. You are now going to download and install either one or two updates manually. In most cases only the first (KB3172605) of these is needed. If that produces a result that says the update is not appropriate for you computer, you need to first install the 2nd of these (KB3020369), then install the first (KB3172605). Choose the one that is for your machine -- 32 bit (X86) or 64 bit (X64).

KB3172605:

32 bit

https://download.microsoft.com/download ... 05-x86.msu

64 bit

https://download.microsoft.com/download ... 05-x64.msu

KB3020369:

32 bit

https://download.microsoft.com/download ... 69-x86.msu

64 bit

https://download.microsoft.com/download ... 69-x64.msu

5. After restarting your computer, wait about 10 minutes until Windows Update completes its tasks. Do not use the computer for any other purpose during this wait period.

6. Start Windows Update. It will take only a few minutes (unless, of course it has been many months since the last update) to come up with a list and download the updates you select. The process is quite normal as it always was from this point onward.

If your computer has not been updated for a long time, it may take longer.

I used the Rollup which worked but there was still about 70 more updates.

Win7 SP1 Convenience Rollup (you need to use IE to access this site):
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3125574

[b0redom]

There's some weirdness with the Windows 7 updater. I had exactly the same issue recently. I had to manually install a few bits and bobs to get it working again. Google has thrown this up:

http://www.askvg.com/fix-windows-7-k...tes-for-hours/

[DanceswithUnix]

I'm sure my Windows Install disks states includes SP1 so would I just download SP2??

From a quick Google, this sounds familiar:

http://www.askvg.com/fix-windows-7-k...tes-for-hours/

Their solution 2 is the "convenience rollup package" which most people refer to as the service pack.

Edit: lol, links are like busses eh, none for ages then 3 turn up at once

[Macman]

Cheers guys.

Can always rely on Hexus for my IT troubles.

[satrow]

Here's a selection of updating methods that I collected a little while back - there are others, probably depending on your starting point and previous attempts to 'fix' what seems to have been deliberately manufactured.

[Macman]

Special thanks to g8ina

For providing a solution to my headache

The step by step worked seamlessly for me.

[g8ina]

Yup, thats the geezer. I recently updated four laptop/PCs and this happened on every one....

[me-yeah]

theres a fix on https://plus.google.com/105607714056...nsaNH?sfc=true

[Disturbedguy]

theres a fix on https://plus.google.com/105607714056...nsaNH?sfc=true

Which is exactly the same fix that Gina already put forward...