windows 7 updater not working - simple fix

 

Knowing how much some users here like to keep everything up to date, especially MAPS, I wonder how many folks here do not have their Windows 7 up to date?

I asked my wife the other day if she had installed the latest Win 7 updates. She said "What updates?". Turned out that the last updates she installed were done last November. Note: My PC has been fine and has only the updates I select to install!

The Windows Updater was not working. You could open it, but when "Check For Updates" was selected an error message would appear saying the service was not running.

After downloading the Windows Update repair tool and running it, still not fixed. It did fix something, but said that 1 problem could not be repaired. "Searching" the MS Support site was a waste of time (as usual). But Google came through on the 2nd item on the list! AND, it was at the MS Support site - go figure.

Seems a user went through almost the same scenario. They found out that all one had to do was set the Updater "Settings" to "Never check for updates", shut down the PC and restart. Then go back into Settings and select your preferred updating method. Problem solved!

Wife's laptop is now completely up to date.

I wonder how many Win 7 users don't even know that there is a problem, since the "Notification" part of the updater does not work either.

See:

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-...

Hope this helps somebody.

Users that never install updates need not respond.

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Metricman DriveSmart 76 Williamsburg, VA

Simple way

That is a simple way to restart Windows Update when it freezes. This is an important issue as we approach January 2020 when Windows 7 will no longer be supported.

Previous to this, Woody Leonhard recommended the KB3172605 update be downloaded and installed:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/3172605/july-2016-u...

The Chrome browser may be unable to download files from the Microsoft site. I used Internet Explorer.

Here is Woody's article:

https://www.infoworld.com/article/3136677/microsoft-windows/...

dobs108 smile

Got a pc I built in late

Got a pc I built in late 2012. Installed windows 8 and all available updates at that time. Disabled auto updates and haven't checked for any since.

The machine is extremely stable. I can go for over a month before having to reboot (sleep mode at night). There are a few bugs here and there but for the most part everything works properly.

For AV I use kaspersky internet security. Further up the line is sophos utm which handles firewall (in and out) and routing tasks.

shocking

zx1100e1 wrote:

Got a pc I built in late 2012. Installed windows 8 and all available updates at that time. Disabled auto updates and haven't checked for any since.

The machine is extremely stable. I can go for over a month before having to reboot (sleep mode at night). There are a few bugs here and there but for the most part everything works properly.

For AV I use kaspersky internet security. Further up the line is sophos utm which handles firewall (in and out) and routing tasks.

That is just shocking! I am refraining from specific comments.

dobs108 shock

Why

Anyone in his right Mind would not even think to trust Window update ?

But would trust a Russian Virus company ?

yes, it just amazes me at

yes, it just amazes me at how people are stupid. Don't trust Windows, but do trust Russian anti-virus: Don't trust Google with their data but give it willingly to everyone else. Don't do updates to OS because they are afraid of breaking something -- which means they are willing to hang themselves out to potential hackers because most updates patch security issues. On the same token, no free update to Windows 10 for the same reason.

There is nothing humans build that is perfect, even after 100s of updates. But why use a tight rope to cross the river when you can use the bridge. You might spend time and money getting a fix to a rare MS screw up - it does happen - but hackers can steal your ID and money - it does happen.
I'll go with the latest, especially when it is free and will cause me less potential pain than lagging behind.

I passed this on to friend

I passed this on to friend who has reported this and other fixes have not helped.

Personally I have 3 systems that will never leave W7-64, due to limitations in $$$ software, $$$ hardware, and $$ plug-ins, that all prevent my upgrading from W7...

But that doesn’t prevent me from updating my W7 OS.

Based on my limitations, yes I will eventually arrive at a point where I may be forced to disconnect from the internet. But as long as the $$$ software, $$$ hardware, and $$ plug-ins keep working..............

I won’t care!!!!

I’m using Spybot S&D in conjunction with Windows AV and Crapcleaner for years. Those, sensible computing, and a decent router has served me well!!

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A 2689LMT in both our cars that we love... and a Nuvi 660 with Lifetime Maps that we have had literally forever.... And a 2011 Ford Escape with Nav System that is totally ignored!

Been "Stung" before by MS updates

I have been using computers at work and home for over 35 years. I started out using CATIA & CADAM (3D mechanical software) on an IBM mainframe. I then used CATIA on a stand alone IBM 5080 workstation (but still connected to a mainframe). Then I started using the IBM workstation for a program called Circuit Board Design System (CBDS) which was used to create circuit boards from schematics that was totally customizable and I managed the database for the symbols and parts. Switched over to using a server, instead of a mainframe. Then I started using a PC for both.

About that time I purchased a PC for home that had Windows 3.1. I have upgraded both software and hardware by myself, going thru many iterations.

I (and the companies I worked for) have been stung many times by updatess. But they (and I) have always recovered by either uninstalling the update(s) or re-installing the software from scratch, which can be very time consuming.

Many companies choose NOT to install updates if they had a "Stable" system. This philosophy stung them harder than installing updates did. Updates often caused things to quit working, but they also installed patches that fixed "Security" issues. By not installing updates, they left themselves open to "Hacking" by people or automated software and valuable data and money have been stolen or systems have been hijacked for nefarious purposes.

NEVER rely on an Anti-Virus program, or other software, to protect your computer. It takes time (once a hole has been found) for the software vendor to develop a fix and it also takes time for the Anti-Virus vendor to create an algorithm to detect the invading software. This time lag creates a window that hackers exploit quite successfully. AND if you don't download your updates - you are just inviting folks to try to hack into your system.

On Kaspersky: I met this guy at a CES in Vegas and thought him to be very arrogant. Do a search online and you will find that he is a former Soviet intelligence officer and his software is very suspect. I wouldn't use it, if I was paid to. You have to go to the second page on Google to see the suspicious activity accusations. I use StopZilla and am very pleased with it.

Back to updates. I haven't had an obvious problem with MS updates in years. Only one was with my wife's laptop that I started this topic about. So don't worry about updates - install them. Your PC will perform better and be safer.

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Metricman DriveSmart 76 Williamsburg, VA

MS Updates

I follow Woody Leonhard on Computer World: https://www.computerworld.com/blog/woody-on-windows/

+ on Ask Woody: https://www.askwoody.com/

& to be safe and avoid problems I wait approximately 3 weeks before installing new updates.

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Nüvi 255WT with nüMaps Lifetime North America born on 602117815 / Nüvi 3597LMTHD born on 805972514 / I love Friday’s except when I’m on holidays ~ canuk

Unusual problem.

I have had very few problems with Windows automatic updates ... until a few days ago with the last cumulative update for 1803 Windows 10. It seemed to install OK, but after the reboot, it wouldn't let me log in because my user profile was trashed. I ended up having to use Safe Mode boot and hack the registry to get my profile back. It wasn't pretty, but everything seems to be OK again.

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Alan - Android Auto, DriveLuxe 51LMT-S, DriveLuxe 50LMTHD, Nuvi 3597LMTHD, Oregon 550T, Nuvi 855, Nuvi 755T, Lowrance Endura Sierra, Bosch Nyon

I wonder how many windows 10

I wonder how many windows 10 computers out there are out of date. Until the last flavor of Win10 the automatic update was not reliable and would stop working without a word to the user. It is noticeable by trying to update manually.

I'm alway on top about

I'm alway on top about updating my systems. I do however fear and aware that a bad update can cause a whole lot of pain. I don't have the hate for MS like many others do.

Remember, if you are running low on space, you can always delete the past update files to recover space, but that does leave you with no going back, just so you are aware.

I always update my win 7- 32 bit

I wait a few days and only do 1 or 2 at a time. It makes it easier to determine if there's a bad update. I don't recall I had a bad update.

NOT updating is worse than worrying about a bad one. As previously said, the updates fix security holes.

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Nuvi 2460LMT.