Sometimes it can seem like a lot of chores fixing Window Update especially if have to do it frequently. It is a necessary evil, just as it can protect you from malicious attack, failure to update your PC can expose you to lots of nasty of bugs that keep popping up every day.
Windows Update is supposed to operate silently in the background; nonetheless, it can slow down or refuse to continue when it can’t install an individual update. This may happen on Windows 10, 8, or 7. However, it’s become particularly common with Windows 7. Most often updates are going to error out, or in some instances, Windows Update could get stuck “searching for updates” endlessly. The following are some steps to help you kick-start Windows Update.
We’ll cover a lot of ground at this point for different versions of Windows along with a various ‘stuck’ scenarios, which means you may have to adjust a couple of these steps to align with your circumstances and software.
The very first point to make is the fact that interfering with updates that are not actually stuck can result in a host of other problems; therefore you need to make sure they are really stuck.
In case you have the time and patience, we’d suggest waiting an hour or so, particularly with a sluggish machine – go for a walk or go grab a bite. It might appear extreme, but the truth is that it’s better not meddle with these essential processes except if you really need to.
Turn off and on your PC again
Have you any idea why “turn off and on again” is such an IT support cliché? Because doing so usually works. There is certainly no secret trick to this – it basically clears out your current computer’s temporary memory (this includes all stalled files), and then lets Windows restart from the scratch with almost everything on the system.
In the event that your updates are stuck in the background and you’re still able to access Windows, you may restart as usual; if they are stuck before or after OS loads, Try to hold down the power button and perform a hard reset. This could cause a lot of issues in itself; therefore ensure that your updates certainly aren’t progressing at all at this stage.
Run a troubleshooter program
Microsoft knows that window update can be problematic at times, that’s why it developed the troubleshooter program to aid the process. To troubleshoot – look up the old Control Panel for “troubleshooting”, then simply choose ‘Fix problems with Windows Update’ from the list that appears on the screen.
The link can be found in Windows 8 and 7 as well, but if in case you can’t find it; you can get it on the web. Having said that, if you haven’t upgraded to Microsoft’s latest operating system, then you have to, it will be worth your while as it is likely to resolve your entire update problem all at once.
Start windows in Safe Mode
Safe Mode is much like a restart with added features – only the basic application that allows windows to run are loaded into memory, therefore, there is less chance of things going wrong and damaged programs interfering with the window update. So hold down the shift key and select Restart and Power from the sign in screen, on the following screen you will find advanced options, restart, troubleshoot and start-up setting, you now will see the Safe Mode option pop up. Attempt going through the update process once more if possible. You can quickly search online for the Safe Mode Instructions for older Windows Version.
Get rid of the Windows Update file cache
Whenever Windows’ own troubleshooter fails to work, then you should attempt to carry out the same process by yourself manually. Delete the temporary file it created, halting Windows Update service and restart Windows update again. It involves some time but quite easy to do.
First and foremost, start up into Safe Mode, and then go to command prompt interface. On the Start menu right-click and select Command Prompt and you should see a text box. Prompt (Admin), type and enter “net stop wuauserv” “net wuauserv”, after that type “net stop bits” and press enter.
Back into Windows proper, go to the C:| Windows| Software Distribution file folder, and delete everything inside the folder. Don’t worry you won’t break anything; they are just temporary file created by Window. Reinstalling the Window Update will create everything from the scratch again.
With that completed, return to the command prompt window and type “net start wuauserv” and press enter. Then type and enter “net start bits” and allow it to start update. It should suffice to fix the problem.
Run a thorough malware scan
One of the reasons why Window Update can fail to install or crash is because a virus or some type of malware is obstructing it. Malicious software applications such as these could actually be squashed by Windows security updates, which explain why they attempt to prevent the latest patches from being installed on your PC.
Consider running thorough and full virus scan employing any security software you have (you have one installed on your PC, right?). If you believe your antivirus program has been compromised you can easily download anti-malware scanners online such as www.malwarebytes.com. It’s free and highly effective
Perform full Windows reset
Repairing vital Windows files and OS options has gotten easier and more efficient than before, and ‘resetting’ Windows 7 simply means taking virtually all the system files right back to their factory state without tampering with your personal files in the process (though, you have the option to erase your entire drive).
You can see the option from the Recovery tab on the security and update page in the Setting Application. Be aware that third-party applications are deleted too, so you need to reinstall them again. Windows 8 has both reset and refresh options, whereas on Windows 7 the reset option will, in general, have been supplied by the Manufacturer.
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