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Konstantinos Tsoukalas

Konstantinos is the founder and administrator of Wintips.org. Since 1995 he works and provides IT support as a computer and network expert to individuals and large companies. He is specialized in solving problems related to Windows or other Microsoft products (Windows Server, Office, Microsoft 365, etc.).

532 Comments

  1. Gary
    February 16, 2022 @ 5:07 pm

    Hey solution 2 also worked for me. Very easy fix to stop windows update/delete software dis folder/restart windows update, Bam ! All done. Thank you.

    Reply

  2. Bre
    July 20, 2021 @ 10:50 pm

    Thank you so much. Used solution #2 and worked great. I couldn't get my new antivirus to install without the windows update. cheers

    Reply

  3. Greg
    December 12, 2019 @ 11:59 pm

    Troubleshooting my mom-inlaws pc (Acer-Win7 Home Pro 64 bit)700 miles away that hasn't seen an update or the internet for 8 years over the phone and she is NOT tech savvy….solution 2 worked and she is now a happy camper. I'm way happier cause the requests for support stopped!!

    Reply

  4. Parimal
    November 14, 2019 @ 12:42 pm

    Thank you so much for this information. Solution 2 worked.

    Reply

  5. Raghav
    September 19, 2019 @ 10:11 am

    Thank U SOo much

    Reply

  6. Jessica Lee
    September 18, 2019 @ 6:48 am

    I have also face this issue for some time but could not find any way of solving the problem. And also I have gone through various blogs regarding these but did not find any blog of my satisfaction but, yeah at last your blog was very useful and satisfying.

    Reply

  7. Jules Backer Dirks
    September 9, 2019 @ 12:39 pm

    Thanks! Solution 2 eventually worked for but only after I rebooted my laptop (Windows 7 Professional). So I followed the instructions exactly, but at stage 3(b) it failed (same error message I started off with). So I rebooted my computer and went back to Start>Control Panel>Windows Update>Check for Updates. This time it worked.

    <<>> – I don't think this is mentioned anywhere, Microsoft updates can only occur in stages. So once you have successfully completed the updates to your computer, reboot your computer and look for updates again and install them. Repeat this until 'check for updates' says there are no more updates to install. Surprisingly, When I went Control Panel>Update Windows after the second install, the screen greeted me with a message saying there were no more important updates. Nevertheless, I clicked on 'check for updates' and it found another 11 important updates and 15 optional ones. So keep going until clicking on 'check for updates' says there is nothing left!

    And yes, I will donate £10 to this site. These self-help sites are a life saver for non-techies like me. It would have cost me 3 times that to get my local computer fixer to do exactly the same as what it says on this site. Donate :)

    Reply

  8. Jay
    September 6, 2019 @ 8:36 pm

    Solution 2 worked for me. thanks!

    Reply

  9. Robert
    August 20, 2019 @ 1:51 pm

    Solution 2 was a dream! Thank you so much!

    Reply

  10. John
    August 12, 2019 @ 12:47 pm

    Thanks a lot. This has saved me a lot of headache. You are the best. May God bless you with a life full of abundance!!

    Reply

  11. Brandon A.
    July 18, 2019 @ 1:34 am

    Thank you so much! Honestly I was getting so frustrated with this! The walk through was great, and very easy to follow! Thank you so much!!

    Reply

    • Zakirhussain
      July 28, 2019 @ 6:18 pm

      Thanks buddy!!
      had looked for other solutions but this worked like a piece of cake.

      Reply

  12. M
    June 9, 2019 @ 1:48 am

    Worked great!! thanks

    Reply

    • Kaloyan
      June 22, 2019 @ 2:52 pm

      Worked for me. Thank you!

      Reply

  13. Craig
    March 20, 2019 @ 1:15 pm

    Thanks also managed to get update to work.

    Reply

  14. imoh
    March 15, 2019 @ 8:56 am

    Thanks much

    Reply

  15. rod
    March 15, 2019 @ 2:13 am

    worked perfectly. thanks for the tip. But makes a good reason to go to macs;-) I can't imagine my mum being able to follow these steps. thanks again

    Reply

  16. Gimonfu
    February 22, 2019 @ 3:47 pm

    Thank you, very much, it seems to have worked.
    (just have to wait for my PC to find all updates of the last 2 years to be sure, now)

    Reply

    • James
      March 8, 2019 @ 12:48 am

      Brilliant – Solution 2 worked perfectly. Many thanks

      Reply

      • Fred
        March 19, 2019 @ 12:21 pm

        Just worked for me as well. #2 FTW

        Reply

  17. Andre
    January 27, 2019 @ 4:38 pm

    Thanks! Great work guys!

    Reply

  18. Omar Ahmed Hosny
    January 22, 2019 @ 11:54 pm

    Thank you very much!!! Solution 2 worked for me

    Reply

  19. Sameer Babu
    January 8, 2019 @ 10:40 am

    Solution 2 Worked.
    Thanks

    Reply

  20. xuan lee
    January 7, 2019 @ 4:29 pm

    hello, why i didn't find windows update on my services? (solution no 2) thank you.

    Reply

  21. Thilaka
    December 30, 2018 @ 12:34 pm

    Very usefull article. Thanks

    Reply

  22. Mizshutterbug
    December 6, 2018 @ 8:59 pm

    Bob's easy method worked instantly for me! My machine is now installing updates and it hadn't been updating since 2016! Thanks for the great info Bob!

    Reply

  23. Magnus
    December 5, 2018 @ 2:15 pm

    Awsome. Thank you very much. Solution 2 fixed it. Cheers.

    Reply

  24. Jack
    November 30, 2018 @ 11:51 pm

    Thank you!!

    Reply

  25. Share
    November 19, 2018 @ 9:58 pm

    Thank you soooooo much…

    Reply

  26. Bob V
    November 16, 2018 @ 1:19 am

    For 18 months I had resigned myself to the fact that Windows 7 on my PC would no longer update. I had not tried any of the 'fixes' shown on this web page.
    Out of curiosity, I opened Windows update in Control panel and clocked 'Change settings'. I changed them from 'Automatic Updates' to 'Never' & OK. I then clicked 'Check for updates' and Hey Presto! it updated!! I then reset it back to 'Automatic Updates' and it is working fine!!
    Worth a shot?

    Reply

    • Antani B
      November 21, 2018 @ 3:25 am

      None of the proposed solutions worked for me. However, Bob's trick worked! Thanks Bob!

      Reply

    • Joe P
      November 27, 2018 @ 10:49 pm

      Bob V ROCKS!

      His solution worked perfectly for me after many frustrating attempts using other suggestions.

      Thanks Bob………….

      Reply

    • zea
      November 29, 2018 @ 8:42 pm

      Bob, you are amazing. That worked right away.

      Reply

    • Paul G
      December 20, 2018 @ 2:49 am

      solutions 2 and 3 didn't work for me. Bob's did. Thans!

      Reply

    • John P
      January 1, 2019 @ 12:49 am

      Bob V, I followed your suggested steps and I am now up-to-date with all Windows updates and the Automatic Updates is functioning properly. No more error pop-ups. I figured I would start with simplified method first, so I didn't try any of the solutions listed above. Thank you for posting your fix!

      Reply

    • Andy
      January 5, 2019 @ 9:54 am

      Worked like a charm. Thanks!!

      Reply

    • Luc
      January 12, 2019 @ 9:45 pm

      You, Sir, you are a life saver

      Reply

    • Peter Jupp
      May 19, 2019 @ 6:06 pm

      I'd tried everything on various sites but none worked, but yours did Bob, my computer is now searching for updates for the first time in 3 years! Many thanks,PJ.

      Reply

    • scorty
      June 4, 2019 @ 12:39 pm

      Bob did it again!! thanx Bob

      Reply

  27. Peter
    November 15, 2018 @ 1:29 am

    This seems to work. Windows hasn't completed process ye but it looks good. I is is now checking for updates

    Reply

  28. bazzeeda
    October 31, 2018 @ 2:26 pm

    Yes! This worked for me!

    Reply

  29. messen
    October 26, 2018 @ 7:50 pm

    i appreciate that done 100%

    Reply

  30. Didier Roux
    October 25, 2018 @ 6:08 pm

    solution 3 worked for me. Thanks

    Reply

  31. Peter
    October 17, 2018 @ 12:41 pm

    Solution #2 worked for me – THANKS

    Reply

  32. Ken
    October 14, 2018 @ 1:52 am

    updgrading the Intel drivers solved my problem.
    Thanks,
    Ken

    Reply

  33. Cobu Serbia
    October 10, 2018 @ 8:52 am

    1. Click Start > type “services.msc” > press enter.

    2. Find “Windows Update” in the list, right-click, choose “Stop”. This service must be in the “stopped” state, or the next 2 steps will fail.

    3. Open Windows Explorer and navigate to “C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution”.

    4. Delete every file inside the folder. If you receive an error message that some of the files are in use, check to be sure the Windows Update service (step 2.) is stopped.

    5. Reboot the computer, and try running Windows Update again.

    In a few cases, this procedure didn’t work. In that case, it turns out that some of the .dlls involved with Windows Update were not correctly registered. If this happens to you, here are the steps to correct the issue:

    a. Complete steps 1-2 to stop the “Windows Update” service again.

    b. Click Start > type “cmd” > right-click and choose “Run as Administrator”.

    c. Type the following commands to register the Windows Update services, pressing the “Enter” key on your keyboard after each one:
    regsvr32 wuapi.dll
    regsvr32 wuaueng.dll
    regsvr32 wups.dll
    regsvr32 wups2.dll
    regsvr32 wuwebv.dll
    regsvr32 wucltux.dll

    d. Reboot the computer immediately and then check for updates once you log back in.

    Reply

  34. from
    September 21, 2018 @ 8:27 pm

    solution #2 worked for me. Thx

    Reply

    • John
      September 26, 2018 @ 9:34 pm

      #2 worked for me as well. Small donation made.

      Reply

    • Paul
      October 1, 2018 @ 6:32 pm

      How long did it take when checking for update

      Reply

    • aze
      October 3, 2018 @ 12:23 am

      #2 worked for me too

      Reply

  35. Jamshid
    September 20, 2018 @ 9:22 am

    many thanks S2 worked for me.

    Reply

  36. Treasure Hunter
    September 16, 2018 @ 6:55 am

    Excelent tips! #2 worked for me. Thanks so much.

    Reply

  37. Joanne Whitmer
    September 14, 2018 @ 7:26 pm

    Solution 2 worked for me

    Reply

  38. Craig
    September 14, 2018 @ 6:32 am

    Awesome, thanks folks, solution 2 fixed the issue.

    Reply

  39. Felipe
    September 11, 2018 @ 11:12 pm

    Solução 2 para mim foi perfeita. Muito obrigado!

    Reply

  40. janet edmundson
    September 11, 2018 @ 9:49 am

    Thank you so much. Solution 2 worked for me.

    Reply

  41. GPS
    September 8, 2018 @ 11:21 pm

    Solution 3 was the ticket!

    thanks a million

    Reply

  42. Raúl
    September 5, 2018 @ 8:44 pm

    Solution 4 worked for me, I have an 9 yo HP laptop, Windows Update stopped working when installing HP drivers on a fresh Win 7 Ultimate x64 installation at some point (and a new WD 1tb drive). Thanks a lot, because the HP drivers page of my model does not include the patch you suggest.

    Regards

    Reply

  43. Ashwin Kumar
    August 30, 2018 @ 9:04 pm

    Solution 2 worked for me too!

    Reply

  44. it guy
    August 26, 2018 @ 6:20 pm

    solution #2 worked for me (win7). thanks!

    Reply

  45. zubair hassan
    August 24, 2018 @ 4:06 am

    You're angel (Solution 2)

    Reply

  46. Asimon
    August 23, 2018 @ 11:39 am

    solution 3 worked for me. Thank you

    Reply

  47. Levin LeBeau
    August 10, 2018 @ 10:07 am

    Solution 2 is just great. Thanks a lot!

    Reply

    • Bro
      August 16, 2018 @ 6:10 am

      eazy as fish
      Thanks

      Reply

      • Sidwell
        September 4, 2018 @ 3:03 pm

        Same here

        Reply

    • Steve
      August 26, 2018 @ 9:53 pm

      True! Works!

      Reply

  48. Joe
    July 28, 2018 @ 8:11 pm

    Solution 2 worked like a charm!

    Reply

  49. hany
    July 27, 2018 @ 4:45 pm

    4 is ok
    thanks

    Reply

  50. chris
    July 26, 2018 @ 1:19 pm

    solution 2 took less than 1 minute and worked, thank you. one note that may help others: i had left the windows update window open while performing solution 2 and found that i had to close the previously open windows update window and then open windows update again for this to work. (i think microsoft has conditioned us all to restart programs when settings are changed but i still forget occasionally)

    Reply

  51. ruma
    July 21, 2018 @ 7:39 pm

    going for solution 2 : but in services on my system there is no option windows update.
    what to do?

    Reply

  52. CuteFox
    July 21, 2018 @ 3:18 pm

    Solution 2 has done the job. Thanks!

    Reply

  53. blakesq
    July 12, 2018 @ 4:52 pm

    Thanks, solution 2 worked for me. My problem started when windows file explorer would shut down when I clicked on "recent places", and one of the solutions was to make sure my windows was updated, and I discovered my updates was not working. Unfortunately, clicking on "recent places" is still causing windows explorer to quit.

    Reply

  54. NEERAJ
    July 10, 2018 @ 7:56 pm

    2ND SOLUTION WORKED FOR ME THANKS MAN

    Reply

  55. Ghassan
    July 9, 2018 @ 12:04 am

    Solution 2 is simple and works fine ( win 7 64 bit ).
    Thanks.

    Reply

  56. tathan3x
    July 6, 2018 @ 6:22 pm

    Yes, I appreciate this greatly. I can now relax and play some games on my PC without crashing to Blue screen.

    Reply

    • milind
      July 9, 2018 @ 8:34 am

      Thanks…

      Reply

  57. Worried now better
    June 30, 2018 @ 6:44 pm

    Solution 2 worked!

    Reply

  58. Kevin Hill
    June 29, 2018 @ 7:51 pm

    Solution #2 worked perfectly. Thank you!

    Reply

  59. H.C.
    June 27, 2018 @ 12:50 am

    thank you very, very, very much

    not only solution 2 worked perfectly, but you also made me feel like a tech savvy (while I am far from being one, I don't even have a "smartphone", because it is too smart for me…)

    thanks again

    Reply

  60. Paresh
    June 27, 2018 @ 12:30 am

    This is still relevant and it worked for me. Many thanks.

    Reply

  61. Gio
    June 21, 2018 @ 7:48 pm

    Worked fine!! Thanks :)))!!!

    Reply

  62. OLGA
    June 21, 2018 @ 4:14 am

    PERFECT,2 IS WORKED FOR ME THANKS A LOT

    Reply

  63. Phil Hunter
    June 15, 2018 @ 1:01 pm

    Solution 2 worked for me. Thanks.

    Reply

  64. Vinod Kumar
    June 15, 2018 @ 9:34 am

    worked for mee to.. THANKS

    Reply

  65. Al
    June 15, 2018 @ 4:37 am

    Solution 2 worked perfectly…nice to see there are still people willing to help …instead of wanting to hack or infect…

    Reply

  66. Jefferson
    June 12, 2018 @ 1:32 am

    Thanks man. Solution two worked…

    Reply

  67. David DeRolph
    June 10, 2018 @ 8:45 pm

    Solution 2 worked for me.

    Reply

  68. Wiz
    June 7, 2018 @ 6:13 pm

    Helpful thanks a lot

    Reply

  69. ANDY CARR
    June 6, 2018 @ 5:00 pm

    CHEERS MATE ALL SEEMS TO BE WELL. NOW UPDATING.

    Reply

  70. Linda
    June 2, 2018 @ 5:22 am

    Number two worked great. Thank you.

    Reply

    • GURPREET SINGH
      June 7, 2018 @ 6:53 am

      thanks working Step 2: Delete or Rename Windows update temporary storage folder.

      Reply

  71. jon t
    June 2, 2018 @ 1:20 am

    Option #2 worked for me. Thanks!

    Reply

  72. Clarisa
    May 30, 2018 @ 10:09 pm

    It worked. Oh man. Excited!

    Reply

  73. Paul C
    May 26, 2018 @ 11:14 am

    Many thanks!

    Reply

  74. andrei
    May 22, 2018 @ 5:57 pm

    Solution 2 worked for me on windows 7 64 bit but only with pc restart.

    Reply

    • Chenk
      July 1, 2018 @ 3:34 pm

      “Windows Update cannot currently check for updates, because the service is not running. You may need to restart your computer.”
      Solution 2:
      Windows Update: STOPPED
      I Renamed “Software Distribution” to “Software DistributionOLD”
      Right Clicked: Windows Update: Clicked START
      Clicked on ‘Check for Updates.’
      – Didn’t work
      Went to Solution 3.
      – Was about to go for the Download in Setp 1 of Solution 3.
      – Decided “Not yet”
      – I read the posted comments and T.Y. to:
      – andrei – MAY 22, 2018 @ 17:57:20
      “Solution 2 worked for me on windows 7 64 bit but only with pc restart.
      – Also: wondered… What happens with the Renamed Software Distribution file? “I’ll give it a try anyway” AFTER I checked the “Settings” on Windows Update. duh!
      – Bingo! I changed the settings from (When I choose) Update, to the “Install automatically (Recommended)” THEN went for the PC Restart.
      – I closed down all apps & folders to “Restart”
      – Voilà !!! Hol-ee Cow! Finally something EASY! THAT WORKED!!
      THANK YOU http://WWW.WINTIPS.ORG!!

      Reply

  75. Arif
    May 22, 2018 @ 8:29 am

    Thanks……………….

    Reply

  76. Bernardo
    May 18, 2018 @ 4:38 pm

    4 worked, but I had to find the right version for my machine. Last version from Intel RST not even install.

    Reply

  77. IT
    May 17, 2018 @ 5:31 pm

    Thank you it worked

    Reply

  78. Siraj Ahmed
    May 16, 2018 @ 9:29 am

    Solution 3 Worked with me.

    Thanks a lot .

    Reply

  79. Paco
    May 4, 2018 @ 1:07 pm

    Solution 2 worked for me. Thanks!

    Reply

    • Erik
      May 16, 2018 @ 10:17 am

      Solution 2 is it.

      Reply

  80. Zaar
    May 3, 2018 @ 2:19 pm

    yuhuu…. option 2 is Work. Thx.

    Reply

  81. Zaheer Aslam
    May 2, 2018 @ 10:28 pm

    Thank you, the 2nd step worked perfect for me. I left my computer off for around 8 months then this problem happened.

    Reply

  82. ciecemm
    May 2, 2018 @ 2:08 pm

    Solution 2 work for me . thank you

    Reply

  83. Caitlin
    April 25, 2018 @ 6:07 am

    Solution 2 worked for me! Thanks.

    Reply

  84. Gary
    April 25, 2018 @ 1:10 am

    Solution 3 worked. Thank You!

    Reply

  85. Julio
    April 23, 2018 @ 1:52 am

    Thanks – your solution 2 worked very well!!!

    Reply

  86. Son Nguyen
    April 19, 2018 @ 4:46 am

    thanks, the 2nd solution works

    Reply

  87. Nathan
    April 19, 2018 @ 12:10 am

    thank you so much!!!! I wasted hours trying to fix mine and solution 2 did the trick.

    Reply

  88. Rover
    April 17, 2018 @ 8:45 pm

    You Guys are awesome ! Solution 2 worked for me! THANK YOU !

    Reply

  89. Joe
    April 15, 2018 @ 8:45 pm

    Option 2 worked! 😀 Just updated windows first time since November. Thanks appreciate it..

    Reply

  90. Shani
    April 15, 2018 @ 7:09 pm

    You people rock! Solution 2 worked. Thank you so much.

    Reply

  91. Ahd
    April 14, 2018 @ 4:34 pm

    Many Many thanks (2nd option worked)

    Reply

  92. Brandie
    April 13, 2018 @ 5:07 pm

    Thanks for the help! I tried following the instructions from Microsoft, and kept running into snags. No issues with your way!

    Reply

  93. Sayan
    April 13, 2018 @ 2:36 pm

    Thanks for your help with this post. Solution 2 worked for me.

    Reply

  94. Phil Bond
    April 11, 2018 @ 6:01 pm

    Thanks for this advice, solution 2 worked for me perfectly!

    Reply

  95. Michael Glass
    April 3, 2018 @ 4:43 pm

    I want to add my thanks–and a little something more tangible–for this. Solution #2 worked for me. I've had update issues for six months and the only solutions I found before this involved changing Registry among other steps. I was hesitant to do that, and finally found your solutions this morning. Basically as simple as renaming a folder. Sheese, so easy and what a relief! Thanks again!

    Reply

    • Koketso
      April 5, 2018 @ 8:26 am

      Thanks!!! Solution two worked for me as well.

      Reply

      • Liz
        April 6, 2018 @ 2:12 am

        Me, too. Thanks so much! Update is installing now. I hadn't had updates since November 2017. One site said this would entail reinstalling Win7!

        Reply

    • Pedro
      April 5, 2018 @ 11:17 pm

      Thanks so much
      like many others i was unable to get updates but your solution 2 worked for me

      Reply

    • jose
      April 6, 2018 @ 11:14 pm

      Thanks guys. This really works.

      Reply

  96. B.Poulsen
    April 2, 2018 @ 6:05 pm

    Solution 2 fixed the issue for me. I am so thankful I found this website. Thank you so much for giving your time and effort to help others that don't have your skillset or knowledge on the subject.

    Reply

  97. Anssi
    March 30, 2018 @ 4:07 pm

    Get-Service "windows update" | Stop-Service
    Get-Service "bits" | Stop-Service
    Start-sleep 5
    Rename-Item C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution -NewName SoftwareDistribution_old -Force
    Start-Service "windows update"
    Start-Service "bits"
    wuapp

    Reply

  98. bliond1
    March 26, 2018 @ 8:33 pm

    thanks solution 2 works for me !!!

    Reply

  99. L Marriott-Smith
    March 22, 2018 @ 11:19 pm

    Solution 3 worked great. Steps were much easier to follow than those provided by Microsoft!

    Reply

  100. duran
    March 20, 2018 @ 4:59 pm

    this worked, thanks a lot i couldnt update for the longest time because of this

    Reply

  101. Nina
    March 16, 2018 @ 1:04 pm

    What worked for me was changing the settings to never check for updates then i clicked check for updates and it worked

    Reply

    • Christine
      March 24, 2018 @ 7:39 pm

      Thanks, that worked and it was the easiest way yet!

      Reply

    • Nathan
      March 25, 2018 @ 6:34 am

      This worked for me as well. I changed the settings to "Never check for updates", then manually checked for updates, and finally selected "Install updates automatically."

      Reply

    • Farren
      April 8, 2018 @ 3:30 am

      Nina that's brilliant! And so random how/why that worked! You gotta love when simple solutions like that fix windows quirks with no rhyme or reason. Thank you for the time saver!

      Reply

  102. Adam Q
    March 14, 2018 @ 4:12 pm

    Renaming "SoftwareDistribution" folder to “SoftwareDistributionOLD" worked great. Downloading updates right now – thank you!

    Reply

  103. Darren
    March 8, 2018 @ 6:28 am

    That worked excellent. Thank you for your help

    Reply

    • David
      March 14, 2018 @ 5:20 pm

      Solution 3:
      1. Change settings
      2. Choose "do not update"
      3. close.
      4. Change setings
      5. Chose "always update"
      6. Close
      7. Update

      Reply

      • Chiblet
        March 16, 2018 @ 10:40 am

        This is how its done. Perfect.

        Reply

      • Trad
        March 29, 2018 @ 7:00 pm

        Simple solution. Thanks.

        Reply

  104. Dave
    March 7, 2018 @ 2:25 am

    Solution 3 Worked for me…

    Reply

  105. Cam McIntyre
    March 4, 2018 @ 6:33 pm

    After a frustrating hour of getting no where on the Microsoft site I decided to to a non Ms site. Fortunately yours was the first I tried and 2 minutes later the problem was solved:) Thank you very much, donated $5.

    Reply

  106. Major
    March 1, 2018 @ 12:01 pm

    Solution #2 worked. Thanks.

    Reply

  107. Mike
    February 28, 2018 @ 12:19 am

    Cheers for this mate

    Reply

  108. DevilYouMayKnow
    February 27, 2018 @ 3:54 am

    (I didn't have an error code … just "Red wording" as the picture shows.) Step 2 worked for me. Note: restart is required. Be sure to restart you puter… check to make sure the update in services is on. Try to do your windows update and wait…. wait…. it did and will work. I had my doubts…. if you have tons of updates, it might take you a bit longer before you harvest all the updates.

    Win7 Pro

    Reply

  109. Alicia
    February 25, 2018 @ 2:02 pm

    Solution 2 worked for me! Thank you so much :)

    Reply

    • Michael
      February 28, 2018 @ 12:56 am

      I wish I had found your solution 2 sooner.
      Thank you for giving me back my sanity!

      Reply

    • Phil
      April 1, 2018 @ 1:20 pm

      Solution 2 worked for me as well.

      Many thanks

      Phil

      Reply

      • Phil
        April 2, 2018 @ 5:29 pm

        Worked on my desktop too!

        Reply

  110. Thomas Roper
    February 23, 2018 @ 9:49 pm

    Number 2 was brilliant!

    Reply

  111. phil
    February 23, 2018 @ 7:55 pm

    Thanks for this fix! Have an older Dell running Wndows 7, and renaming the "SoftwareDistribution" file worked for me!

    Thanks!

    Reply

  112. Brent
    February 21, 2018 @ 10:21 pm

    Solution 2 did the trick for me also. Thanks.

    Reply

  113. Liz Holder
    February 21, 2018 @ 5:34 pm

    Option 2 did it. Thank you!

    Reply

  114. MFK
    February 21, 2018 @ 11:29 am

    Awesome! Thank you very much! Option 2 worked like a charm :)

    Reply

  115. George
    February 19, 2018 @ 7:18 am

    seems to be working let you know soon

    Reply

  116. Your Name
    February 13, 2018 @ 7:15 pm

    Tried #2 and it did not work. But telling it to never update and then checking for updates worked like a charm.

    Reply

    • L J
      February 18, 2018 @ 3:57 am

      Amazing. It works for me!

      Reply

    • Steve K
      February 21, 2018 @ 1:34 am

      Perfect. Same here for Vista Home — tell it to never check for updates, then manually tell it to check for updates. Thanks!

      Reply

    • Case
      February 21, 2018 @ 2:38 am

      YASSSS. Thank you so much!

      Reply

    • Adib
      February 28, 2018 @ 1:45 pm

      Create a .bat file with this code:

      cls
      @echo off
      @echo This Process will repair windows update services:
      @echo Remember to run this file as administrator, Press key to continue…
      Pause
      cls
      @echo Repairing Windows Update Services, registering services…
      net stop wuauserv
      regsvr32 /s wuapi.dll
      regsvr32 /s wuaueng.dll
      regsvr32 /s wups.dll
      regsvr32 /s wups2.dll
      regsvr32 /s wuwebv.dll
      regsvr32 /s wucltux.dll
      net start wuauserv
      @echo Process finished, press key to Exit…
      Pause
      ETIT

      Reply

  117. Matthew Yates
    February 10, 2018 @ 10:12 pm

    Option #2 worked for me. Thank You :-)

    Reply

  118. SCH
    February 4, 2018 @ 11:15 pm

    Thanks for all of the options…#2 is the one that restored my update capability. Worked perfect.

    Reply

  119. Bob W.
    January 31, 2018 @ 7:13 am

    You are a wizard! Microsoft's fix didn't work but your #2 fixed it. Thank you!!

    Reply

    • D0xt0rz3r0
      January 31, 2018 @ 4:25 pm

      Just want to mention that "Step 4: Update the Intel Rapid Storage Technology Driver" actually made my computer not boot at all. I downloaded the updated drivers at the location that was mentioned in this article and got met with Microsoft Windows 7 always booting into the Startup Repair screen. Luckily I had an image of my machine and just reapplied that image, however that step is dangerous and does not apply to every machine.

      Also what eventually worked for me (because my problem was on the image) was simply running a "Disk Cleanup" mode and cleaning everything out including the system files.

      That allowed the Windows update utility to work just fine… and probably should be the first step everyone tries.

      Reply

  120. David Noble
    January 18, 2018 @ 1:07 pm

    2nd Solution worked a treat. Loveleh.

    Reply

    • jay gould
      January 24, 2018 @ 2:12 pm

      I'd been trying to fix this for a while now. Solution #2 worked for me also.

      Reply

  121. Jessica
    January 17, 2018 @ 7:01 pm

    There's a new fix. Change the settings to "Never check for updates (not recommended)". Windows Update might magically let you check, then you can change your settings back.

    Reply

    • Abimbola Atinuke Adeoye
      January 18, 2018 @ 12:05 pm

      Thanks. This worked perfectly well for me after i had unsuccessfully tried some of the earlier suggestions.

      Reply

      • Sam
        January 29, 2018 @ 3:10 am

        This worked for me THANKS

        Reply

    • Lewis
      January 18, 2018 @ 1:30 pm

      Thank you very much. Worked perfectly.

      Reply

    • Craig
      January 18, 2018 @ 10:26 pm

      Never check updates, then do a check for updates worked. Thanks

      Reply

    • mak99
      January 20, 2018 @ 11:20 pm

      Well, I'll be a sonofa…this worked!! Thank you VERY much for posting that. My computer just started having this error just a few days ago and was not having any luck in fixing. Who knew it would be something that simple…

      Reply

    • joe
      January 22, 2018 @ 4:38 am

      Good job. Holy shit finally!

      Reply

    • Terry
      January 23, 2018 @ 4:02 am

      You are absolutelly right Jessica.
      You are the Best

      Reply

    • Dale
      January 24, 2018 @ 12:00 am

      Freaky! I'm an old Dad, like an hour into this, looked at 20 videos, all advising the same thing, almost ready to go deep into the tricky solutions … then one last search and Jessica's suggestion pops up. Totally worked! Thank you!

      Reply

    • Beth
      January 24, 2018 @ 6:36 pm

      Thanks this worked. Paid to fix it and it didn't work some service called Regutilities cancelled it and was refunded right away total scam. Yours is working so far will continue to let you know progress. Thx you thx you

      Reply

    • Michael Zeleznik
      January 24, 2018 @ 10:40 pm

      THANK YOU! Worked perfectly. Glad I saw this and tried before digging deeper.

      Reply

    • Sam Me
      January 29, 2018 @ 4:02 am

      Thanks Jessica – worked great. So simple, compared to many of the other lengthy & complicated options from IT experts, which do not work anyway. This fix should be widely distributed to save lots of wasted time researching & reading other possible solutions – that in the end do not even work. Microsoft especially should publicise it. Many thanks.

      Reply

    • Nick
      January 31, 2018 @ 11:06 pm

      This worked for me as well!

      Reply

    • TwinnyAte
      February 3, 2018 @ 8:58 am

      Woooooow!! Yep!! lmbao!! Who woulda known this would work?^^ I saw all the comments and had to try myself, took less than 1 second. Clicked not check for updates(not recommended) and instantly was able to check for updates. Thank you, but now my old problem is probably back. Actually DOWNLOADING the updates successfully, gotta quick fix for that too!^^ But yeah, this worked, perfectly!! Thanks again!

      Reply

    • Naomi
      March 15, 2018 @ 12:03 am

      Thank you Jessica, this worked perfectly for me.

      Reply

  122. Margaret Lennie
    January 16, 2018 @ 7:45 pm

    Thank you. Solution 2 worked. Donation made.

    Reply

  123. Mike H.
    January 14, 2018 @ 4:05 pm

    Solution #2 seemed to work for me as well. Easy. Thank you. Made small contribution to the cause, will bookmark this site for sure.

    Reply

  124. Crispy Chicken
    January 11, 2018 @ 8:36 pm

    Thanks – this seems to have worked for me as well. But, the checking for updates has takes "a very long time".

    Reply

  125. Mr. Encumbrance
    January 11, 2018 @ 11:59 am

    Solution#2 worked flawlessly. It's as easy as flinging my potato. Thanks wintips.

    Reply

  126. chiara
    January 10, 2018 @ 4:49 am

    Solution 2 worked, for my PC, Win7 64-bit. I tried Microsoft support first, their suggestions were no help. Thank you! Donation already in your tip box :)

    Reply

  127. Mike S.
    January 9, 2018 @ 8:04 pm

    Worked perfectly. It was quick and easy. Donation made as a 'Thank You' for eliminating aggravation and helping to keep my blood pressure down.

    Reply

  128. DaveThe$lave
    January 9, 2018 @ 7:11 pm

    Solution #2 did the trick – Thanks!

    Reply

  129. Leslie
    January 9, 2018 @ 8:09 am

    Thanks. Solution 2 Worked for me.

    Reply

  130. MadahmG
    January 9, 2018 @ 6:42 am

    THANK you

    Reply

  131. Diana V.
    January 9, 2018 @ 12:38 am

    Solution #2 was the Golden Ticket. Without this information, I would not have been able to resolve on my own. (I made a small donation as I appreciate this service). Thank you very much.

    Reply

  132. AM
    January 7, 2018 @ 11:14 pm

    Solution #2 worked on Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bits.
    Thank you.

    Reply

  133. The Storm
    January 6, 2018 @ 10:13 pm

    Of course the MS fix was useless. Solution #2 worked like a charm.

    Reply

  134. Alvin G.
    January 6, 2018 @ 8:41 pm

    Thank You. I worked through the solutions. Nothing remedied the issue until I got to Solution 4, which did.
    I donated (a little).

    Reply

  135. Mike Dingold
    January 6, 2018 @ 2:50 am

    Thank you kind person! May you live long, and your troubles few!

    Reply

  136. Mara
    January 5, 2018 @ 11:42 pm

    #2 worked for me. Initially made the mistake of stopping the service through the control panel, then I followed the directions exactly and it worked, quick and easy. I'm so thankful that it's the first time I ever donated to a web site like this.

    Reply

  137. Herbert Anchovy
    January 5, 2018 @ 8:27 pm

    Surprise, surprise – The Microsoft 'resolution' (https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/help/2730071/-windows-update-cannot-check-for-updates-error-message-when-you-try-to) did not work at all.

    Thankfully, Solution 2 worked for me.

    Reply

  138. David S
    January 5, 2018 @ 7:37 pm

    Thank you for this page of help, step 2, so simple why doesnt Microsoft have it available!!. Worked perfectly for me.

    I just donated and I never normally do that, thank again. :)

    Reply

  139. Katie
    January 5, 2018 @ 10:21 am

    Thank you!

    Reply

  140. Seb
    January 4, 2018 @ 9:04 pm

    2nd solution works for me as well. Thx for the support!!

    Reply

  141. Jinon
    January 4, 2018 @ 7:54 pm

    Tried Solution 2 on Windows 7 Pro. Finally! It's searching for updates! THANK YOU.

    Reply

  142. Jesse
    January 3, 2018 @ 7:56 pm

    Works! I just needed to restart the computer between step 3a and 3b.

    Reply

  143. Judi
    January 1, 2018 @ 8:53 pm

    Thank you!

    Reply

  144. paul
    December 28, 2017 @ 10:37 pm

    Good work. . Method 2 worked on Win 7 Home Premium on Dell desktop and note book. Can't buy a thrill ?!! Yes you can. Thanks so much.

    Markdale Canada

    Reply

  145. anoop
    December 28, 2017 @ 2:31 pm

    Great its wroking.thank you

    Reply

  146. Jack
    December 27, 2017 @ 9:31 pm

    Thank you. It is updating now after renaming the software update folder.

    Reply

  147. al
    December 27, 2017 @ 5:27 pm

    Found a very simple fix that works for Windows 7.

    1- Open the Updates control panel and click Change settings on the left
    2- Make a note of the current settings under "Important updates"
    3- Change the Important updates setting to "Never check for updates (not recommended)" and click OK at the bottom
    4- After the Update control panel reappears, click on Change settings again and return the Important update setting back to whatever it was before.

    Verified these steps re-enabled Windows update on 5 different PC's running both 32 & 64 bit Windows 7 without having to do anything else and without losing any of the previous update history.

    Reply

    • Phil
      December 29, 2017 @ 7:40 am

      This simple fix worked for me too! Thank you!

      Reply

      • Rita
        December 30, 2017 @ 7:28 pm

        Worked for me too. Many thanks

        Reply

    • Bill
      December 30, 2017 @ 10:24 pm

      OMG!!!!!
      This fix actually worked on a Dell workstation running Win 7 SP1 after wasting nearly a month reviewing and analyzing numerous questionable, lengthy and complicated fix methods that were either rejected or didn't work.
      Thanks a bunch!!!

      Reply

    • peter
      December 30, 2017 @ 11:35 pm

      fixed it well

      Reply

    • attila
      January 1, 2018 @ 10:49 pm

      Thanks a lot for that very simple and effective fix! Update history preserved, unlike other earlier method I used three weeks ago on another Windows-7 system.

      Reply

    • Rey
      January 2, 2018 @ 12:23 am

      Al's option for Win7 worked for me as well. Great job!!!

      Reply

    • Jo
      January 2, 2018 @ 2:08 am

      This simple solution worked for me. Thank you!

      Reply

    • Rich
      January 2, 2018 @ 10:23 pm

      Worked for me, too. Thanks

      Reply

    • Zvi
      January 5, 2018 @ 12:04 am

      Worked like a charm – simple and quick. BUT all the responses in a very few days raise the question of why so many of us ran into the same problem at the same time. Any ideas?

      Reply

    • Lisa
      January 5, 2018 @ 12:56 am

      Thanks very much Al, this worked. I'm no computer whizz so very grateful to folk like you who make these things simple for numpties like me!! Happy New Year!

      Reply

    • Paul
      January 5, 2018 @ 12:08 pm

      Has just worked for me also. Many thanks.

      Reply

    • The Hammer
      January 5, 2018 @ 10:34 pm

      Good Job Al!

      A very simple fix that worked fine.

      MAGA with a new president…impeach and lock him up!!!

      Reply

    • Bill
      January 5, 2018 @ 10:39 pm

      This easy solution worked for me after none of the methods described in the article worked.

      Reply

    • Diane
      January 6, 2018 @ 2:10 am

      Bless you for sharing that solution! Simple & it works! thank you so much

      Reply

    • SteelyGeoff
      January 8, 2018 @ 9:20 am

      Quite simply thank you guys, particularly al whose solution worked like a charm!

      Reply

    • Rose
      January 12, 2018 @ 5:23 am

      Excellent! Brilliant. Works like a charm. Thanks

      Reply

    • Terri
      January 14, 2018 @ 5:40 am

      Worked for me too, thank you!

      Reply

    • Umberto
      January 14, 2018 @ 1:39 pm

      Awesome! that's the best fix as it preserves the history of previous updates, hence simplifies the updating process

      Reply

    • Gary
      January 19, 2018 @ 12:48 am

      Worked for me as well Al. I fixed two windows 7 computers in under 5 min. Thank you!

      Reply

    • Debbi
      January 30, 2018 @ 11:15 pm

      worked for me, thank you so much!!!

      Reply

  148. abhishek NITTAL
    December 24, 2017 @ 4:00 pm

    IT REALLY WORKS!!! THANKS A LOT

    Reply

  149. Matt
    December 23, 2017 @ 10:18 pm

    Worked like a charm!!

    Reply

  150. Janusz
    December 22, 2017 @ 10:55 pm

    I tried running the WindowsUpdateDiagnostic tool which did not work. I then tried the following which did get Windows Update working for Win7

    Select "Control Panel"
    Select  "Administrative tool"
    Select "System Configuration"
    Select (administrative) "Tools"
    Select option "Windows Troubleshooting"
    Under System and Security select > “Fix problems with Windows Update”
    Will fix problem and after seconds will show “Updates available”

    Reply

    • Johan
      January 9, 2018 @ 5:50 pm

      This worked for my PC on Win7. Thank you Janusz!

      Reply

  151. Mohammed
    December 22, 2017 @ 1:25 am

    Solution 2 worked a treat. Thank you

    Reply

  152. Matt
    December 21, 2017 @ 1:41 am

    I've recently had to use the second (manual) solution on two Windows 7 Pro 32-bit systems.
    Forcing it to create a new SoftwareDistribution folder gets it back on track. Many thanks!

    Reply

  153. jawad
    December 20, 2017 @ 8:59 pm

    solution 2 is working but you are going to loose all the window update history. This is good for people who are using window at home. But if you are going to try this method at any professional environment then its mean you have to download all the updates from the first day of your window installation. I don't recommend this method for professional environment.

    Reply

    • lakonst
      December 21, 2017 @ 9:50 am

      @jawad: It's not true. You only miss the update history log for the installed updates.

      Reply

  154. TechBasix
    December 20, 2017 @ 8:13 pm

    Solution 2 worked for me. THANX!

    Reply

  155. Tony Coy
    December 19, 2017 @ 8:15 pm

    Microsoft were no help whatsoever, I'm so pleased I stumbled on your site.
    Solution 1 worked straight away. A small donation on it's way.
    Thank you.

    Reply

  156. Yash
    December 19, 2017 @ 1:07 pm

    Thanks so much for your solution. I especially liked your recommendation for the renaming instead of deleting.

    The second solution helped instantly.

    Reply

  157. Nina
    December 17, 2017 @ 9:51 pm

    Second solution worked!! Thanks!!
    12/17/17

    Reply

  158. david
    December 16, 2017 @ 1:53 am

    solution 2 worked, but can i now delete the SoftwareDistributionOLD folder?

    Reply

    • lakonst
      December 16, 2017 @ 9:46 am

      @david: Yes, you can.

      Reply

  159. MikeD
    December 15, 2017 @ 9:52 pm

    #2, Fixed, Thanks! Why cant microsoft make this kind of stuff self-healing?

    Reply

  160. jay
    December 14, 2017 @ 8:07 pm

    Solution #2 worked for me. Windows 7. Thank you.

    Reply

  161. Justin
    December 14, 2017 @ 6:29 pm

    The link in Solution 1 actually works, even though the Microsoft Fix It utility is gone. Microsoft walks you through a few simple troubleshooting steps and then lets you download the Windows Update troubleshooter program (http://aka.ms/diag_wu). Further steps continue to troubleshoot the issue if the Windows Update troubleshooter program doesn't fix it.

    Reply

  162. Alex Mason
    December 13, 2017 @ 7:49 pm

    Lord God Windows sucks ass. Too bad I have to use it. The folder deletion worked.

    Reply

  163. NetSurf
    December 13, 2017 @ 6:58 pm

    Solution #4 worked for me. Tried all the others on this site and others and was down to considering a rebuild, but the Intel RTS install (downloaded from site rts site posted in article).

    Thanks…Awesome!

    Reply

  164. john
    December 13, 2017 @ 6:15 pm

    Much appreciated. Solution 2 is working for me.

    Reply

  165. Jan
    December 13, 2017 @ 6:26 am

    Solution 2 worked a treat. Hope the small donation helps. Efcharistó !!

    Reply

  166. Guy
    December 12, 2017 @ 7:44 pm

    Awsome so far, worked! Will see if I get an update ever again though!

    Reply

  167. Jay V
    December 11, 2017 @ 1:45 am

    Solution 3 worked for me!!! I have been trying to fix this for almost 24 hours. ::golf clap::

    Reply

  168. Michael
    December 10, 2017 @ 1:03 pm

    After struggling for five frustrating hours I found your site and Solution 2 worked first time.
    Thank you so much.

    Reply

  169. David
    December 9, 2017 @ 4:01 pm

    Many thanks for this very helpful information.
    Solution 2 fixed it for me.
    To determine if your 'temporary storage folder' is corrupt select "View update history" and if nothing appears then your 'temporary storage folder' needs to be deleted / renamed.

    Reply

  170. Janet
    December 9, 2017 @ 6:37 am

    Thanks! Solution 3 worked for me.

    Reply

  171. D
    December 9, 2017 @ 3:21 am

    Option #2 worked flawlessly. Very well explained and documented steps you have provided. Well done, and thank you.

    Reply

  172. zeeshan
    December 8, 2017 @ 11:25 am

    thank you step 2 worked for me perfectly. I deleted the folder instead of rename and it worked fine showed new updates and downloading

    Reply

  173. makarand pandarkar
    December 8, 2017 @ 10:23 am

    thanks..
    step 2 worked..
    god bless you..

    Reply

  174. Zdenko
    December 7, 2017 @ 1:15 am

    Second solution works fine , thank you very much sir

    Reply

  175. Dave
    December 6, 2017 @ 11:24 pm

    Thanks Solution 2 was the one that fixed it for me and was the easier of the 4 to do

    Reply

  176. Harry
    December 5, 2017 @ 9:39 pm

    Thank you. Used solution 2. worked in minutes.

    Reply

  177. Dick Monti
    December 5, 2017 @ 11:13 am

    Solution 2 worked for me – just repaired 7 PCs. Thanks very much.

    Reply

  178. Stefan
    December 5, 2017 @ 9:38 am

    Thank You very much! Solution 2 WORKS!

    Reply

  179. Nomeca
    December 5, 2017 @ 2:31 am

    So far, so good. Solved my problem using #2. Utterly grateful for the directions. Have a Happy Holiday!

    Reply

  180. david lewis
    December 4, 2017 @ 11:48 pm

    Thanks, it appears to be working (solution 2).
    Too bad Microsoft can't write decent software

    Reply

  181. Martin
    December 4, 2017 @ 11:01 pm

    It worked! Huge thanks.

    Reply

  182. mrdrums
    December 4, 2017 @ 9:13 am

    wow thanks man numder 2 worked perfectly for me montreal canada

    Reply

  183. Skyrider
    November 29, 2017 @ 11:22 am

    2nd solution works like charm

    Reply

  184. puneet
    November 18, 2017 @ 7:06 am

    Thnakyou so much

    Reply

    • puneet
      November 18, 2017 @ 7:07 am

      second solution is good

      Reply

  185. Jason_PL
    November 15, 2017 @ 7:59 pm

    Hi – I tried all solutions listed… TWICE. None of them worked… step 4 results in a message stating that my device doesn't meet compatibility requirements, yet I'm running an HP with Windows 7 Pro as the administrator…. Any other suggestions?

    Reply

  186. Anshuman
    October 17, 2017 @ 8:31 pm

    Really thank u the second solution worked for me and please also provide solution on how to install Microsoft net framework 4.5

    Reply

  187. Jimmy D
    October 10, 2017 @ 4:28 pm

    Thing after thing i tried before this and all were a waste of time,,, but this did it . This fixed update problems like a champ and easily. thanks

    Reply

  188. aydin
    October 1, 2017 @ 6:21 pm

    hi i am from iran
    thamk you …second way help me

    Reply

  189. Tuan To
    August 20, 2017 @ 8:08 am

    The 2nd solution works for me too

    Thanks alot.

    Reply

  190. Moty
    August 5, 2017 @ 1:46 am

    1st solution dosnt have the FixIt but
    the 2nd on WORKS like charm.
    10x & cu

    Reply

  191. sunildsharma71@gmail.com
    August 4, 2017 @ 4:26 pm

    first. u should stop "services" from msconfig in start menu and then try to rename "SoftwareDistributionOld"
    otherwise ur file will not allow u to rename or delete "SoftwareDistribution" folder file

    Reply

  192. Andy Louis
    July 26, 2017 @ 3:12 am

    2nd solution it works for me, many thanks

    Reply

  193. abhijeet avhad
    July 20, 2017 @ 7:09 pm

    i cannot find windows update in services.msc , please help me

    Reply

  194. Andrew
    July 10, 2017 @ 10:18 am

    Thanks. Worked for me.

    Reply

  195. Tea
    June 18, 2017 @ 5:18 am

    I want to try solution 2, but when I go to services the windows update is not there. its ordered alphabetically, and goes from windows time to winHTTP Web Proxy Auto

    I have a windows Vista 64 bit, any suggestions?

    I'm unable to turn on network discovery also or turn off the windows firewall. I get the service is not installed error. I have already went to enabled started automatic all of the recommended services. I'm almost lost all hope.

    Reply

    • lakonst
      June 18, 2017 @ 8:51 am

      @Tea: Download and import to your registry this reg file: wuauserv.reg

      Reply

  196. O'na
    June 16, 2017 @ 9:43 am

    Solution 2 did the trick for me!

    Many thanks.

    Reply

  197. John
    June 14, 2017 @ 4:59 am

    SOLUTION 4 WORKED!!!! THANK YOU!!!!

    Reply

  198. Ganesh
    June 13, 2017 @ 5:45 pm

    thanks, Solution 4 worked for me

    Reply

  199. Mario
    June 6, 2017 @ 1:25 am

    Solution 2 fixed it first try, many thanks

    Reply

  200. Halim
    June 1, 2017 @ 10:25 pm

    thanks it works !!!!

    Reply

  201. skt_singh
    May 15, 2017 @ 10:17 am

    Hey, following Step 2, i couldnot find "WIndows Update" in services.msc

    Reply

  202. James
    April 26, 2017 @ 8:58 pm

    Thank you! Easy to follow and it works!

    Reply

  203. nmplayer1
    April 21, 2017 @ 3:31 am

    THanks a lot
    Solution 2 Worked with no problem

    Reply

  204. Pura Moca
    April 20, 2017 @ 12:19 pm

    Thank You, succeeded with solution 2!
    Best Regards

    Reply

  205. Peaceandlove
    April 15, 2017 @ 6:15 am

    My error is

    "Windows cannot update important files and services while the system is using them. Save any Open files and restart computer, and then try to check for new updates"

    Reply

    • lakonst
      April 15, 2017 @ 9:31 am

      @Peaceandlove: 1. Ensure that Year/Date/Time settings are current 2. Install Internet Explorer 11 3. Install the KB3102810 security update 4. Try to update your computer.
      If the update fails again, then see if the Windows Update Troubleshooter can fix the problem >

      Reply

  206. Peaceandlove
    April 15, 2017 @ 6:11 am

    When i try to use solution 2, after stopiing and renaming the folder once i start the windows update it creates a new folder SofwareDistribution and again gave me same errror? even i do restart or what ever i got the same errror again

    Reply

  207. Knut
    April 13, 2017 @ 5:43 pm

    Well, my problem was the clock, bad time/date… it seem windows update has a problem when your pc's clock is off. Used solution #2 before I realized the problem so did it again after setting time/date, now it works. Would advise check clock first.

    Reply

  208. Vinod
    April 1, 2017 @ 7:52 pm

    Thanks Solution 2 worked for me

    Reply

  209. fuckerfapper
    March 10, 2017 @ 1:34 pm

    Thanks! Nailed it!

    Reply

  210. Sereue
    March 9, 2017 @ 6:06 pm

    Solution #2 is a lifesaver. It helped me revive my old tower!

    Reply

  211. George Michael
    March 3, 2017 @ 5:49 pm

    Best Solution ever!

    Click Start
    Type: cmd
    Right click on cmd in start menu and select 'Run as Administrator'
    Type: net stop wuauserv
    Hit Enter
    Type: ren c:\windows\SoftwareDistribution softwaredistribution.old
    Hit Enter
    Type: net start wuauserv
    Hit Enter
    Type: exit
    Hit Enter

    Attempt to download updates

    Reply

  212. Medhansh
    March 1, 2017 @ 7:20 am

    ThankYou For Helping Me Out

    Reply

  213. Anne
    February 28, 2017 @ 9:00 pm

    Thank you. Solution 2 worked for me.

    Reply

  214. ns
    February 24, 2017 @ 11:03 pm

    thanx alot….so much thank u
    method 2 works good

    Reply

  215. Tim Durian
    February 18, 2017 @ 9:07 am

    Thanks! Solution 2 worked for me.

    Reply

  216. stevieWONDER
    February 12, 2017 @ 2:17 pm

    FIX IT DOES NOT EXIST AT LINK GIVIN' IN SOLUTION 1….sry for caps

    Reply

    • lakonst
      February 13, 2017 @ 11:01 am

      @stevieWONDER: Microsoft has removed the FIxIt utility. Please continue to solution 2

      Reply

  217. mike
    January 31, 2017 @ 1:25 am

    Hello,
    Long story cut short, but my updates were not working at all.
    Solution 4, intel IRRT Driver, worked fine after everything else would not.
    It is possible that my updates were not working since I shoe horned a larger HDD in the PC.
    Thanks.

    Reply

  218. gino
    January 30, 2017 @ 11:42 pm

    Needed to do Option #3, but that worked perfectly!

    Reply

  219. Iyke
    January 24, 2017 @ 11:56 am

    Step 2 worked just fine. Thanks. Thumps up!

    Reply

  220. AP
    January 18, 2017 @ 10:43 pm

    I used solution 2 and it worked like a charm. Thanks so much.

    Reply

  221. tious
    January 16, 2017 @ 11:46 am

    woow..solution 2 real worked!!
    much thanx

    Reply

  222. Lekan Bamigbade
    January 12, 2017 @ 2:40 pm

    Thanks a lot solution 2 worked

    Reply

  223. Patrick
    January 11, 2017 @ 8:38 pm

    Thanks a lot guy! On first solution cannot resolve, but the second fix the error fast!

    Thankss!

    Reply

  224. Beko
    January 9, 2017 @ 8:40 pm

    many thanx i tried solution 2 and it's worked
    thanx again

    Reply

  225. jerry
    December 27, 2016 @ 8:56 am

    @lakonst: I have tried all the solutions in the tutorials but none worked on my PC. Any further help will be greatly appreciated.
    Thanks.

    Reply

  226. jerry
    December 17, 2016 @ 7:13 pm

    I tried all the three solutions but none worked for my HP pavilion g6 notebook. I noticed that there is no "windows update" listed when i carried out the step 1 of solution 2 by opening the services(local) window. 'windows time' is listed followed by 'WinHTTP web proxy auto-discovery service'.
    Someone should please help out.

    Reply

  227. redesh
    December 17, 2016 @ 5:44 pm

    thank you. Solved

    Reply

  228. Nabeel
    December 16, 2016 @ 8:50 am

    Solution 5 works properly

    Reply

  229. Rajsekhar chukka
    December 15, 2016 @ 7:30 am

    thank u bubs…second solution worked for me…..Great work dude…..

    Reply

  230. j
    December 10, 2016 @ 11:39 pm

    I went through them in order and tried them all twice. Solution 4 was the one that worked for me!

    Thanks very much,

    j.

    Reply

  231. Gwati
    December 7, 2016 @ 7:45 am

    That worked like a charm Go for solution 2

    Reply

  232. Jerry
    December 5, 2016 @ 1:54 am

    Solution 2 worked like a charm thanks so much

    Reply

  233. Faisal Nawaz
    December 3, 2016 @ 8:29 am

    Thanks man.2nd solution work for me

    thanks for help

    Reply

  234. Alok
    November 30, 2016 @ 11:59 am

    Very Very Thanks.
    solution 2 helped me.
    Really very good solution.

    Reply

  235. ayomide
    November 11, 2016 @ 5:59 pm

    this article was very useful……it did the trick

    Reply

  236. Lou_B
    November 8, 2016 @ 10:42 pm

    I kept getting WINDOWS CAN'T CHECK FOR UPDATES when my Vista started or resumed. I noticed the "Most recent check" date (9/12/16) was behind the "Updates were installed on" date (11/2/16) in the Windows Update Control Panel window. I must have shut down Vista before the updates had a chance to fully complete the process. My bad. I have used Step 2 above. Both dates reset to NEVER. It is now going through a very l-o-n-g process of checking the updates already installed on my Vista against the Windows download site. It is also rebuilding the "SoftwareDistribution" folder.

    If you noticed #5 in Step 3, it said to check for updates then "Leave your computer about an hour to find Updates." I will check back in a couple of hours. If it seems stuck on "Checking for updates" — I will do a System Restore to go back to before my last update (11/2/16). Hopefully that will do the trick. But for now I'm waiting to give Step 2 a chance to finish. LOL, in an age of instant everything, patience is truly a virtue.

    Reply

  237. B
    November 1, 2016 @ 7:15 pm

    SOLUTION 4

    DID IT FOR ME TNXXXXXX

    Reply

  238. subbarao piduri
    November 1, 2016 @ 5:30 am

    its worked effectively thank you very much for your solution 2nd solution

    Reply

  239. Amy
    October 21, 2016 @ 5:23 pm

    Thank you so much solution 2 worked perfectly.

    Reply

  240. Mike
    October 9, 2016 @ 4:49 am

    I tried Step 2, but there was no Windows update in that folder. It just was not on the list. Help!!

    Reply

    • lakonst
      October 9, 2016 @ 9:29 am

      @Mike: Please read more carefully before comment…The name of the folder is "SoftwareDistribution"

      Reply

  241. Herman
    October 6, 2016 @ 8:00 pm

    You are tha man !! Many thanks

    Reply

  242. Max
    October 2, 2016 @ 1:50 am

    Solution 3 worked like a champ. THANKS a million!

    Reply

  243. Yuran
    September 28, 2016 @ 10:22 am

    Thanks, solution 2 worked perfectly

    Reply

  244. Pinoy
    September 23, 2016 @ 11:16 am

    Solution 2 was a great solution.

    Reply

  245. Peter
    September 21, 2016 @ 9:52 pm

    Solution 2 was really perfect for me.

    Reply

  246. Sahil Jagotra
    September 21, 2016 @ 7:38 pm

    Solution 2 worked fine. It showed error again but after about 1 minute, it started updating automatically. Thank you very much.

    Reply

  247. Carter
    September 9, 2016 @ 9:47 am

    Tried Solution 2 but Windows update is not listed in my list of services. Any ideas?

    Reply

  248. TONY
    September 6, 2016 @ 3:13 am

    WOOOOW THANKS SO MUCH SOLUTION 2 WORKED FOR ME PERFECTLY,
    YOU ARE AWESOME

    Reply

  249. F. Barbour
    August 30, 2016 @ 1:17 am

    I have been searching for days for a solution after Windows Fixit didn't work. Your solution 2 worked like magic! !l Thank you so very much!

    Reply

  250. Steve
    August 21, 2016 @ 12:00 pm

    Awesome fix and directions! Option #2 solved my intransigent problem with Windows Update!!
    Many thanks.

    Reply

  251. XavDeb
    July 27, 2016 @ 5:30 pm

    Whaou !

    Thank you so much

    Reply

    • XavDeb
      July 27, 2016 @ 5:31 pm

      Solution 2 was the good one

      Reply

  252. BJ
    July 8, 2016 @ 1:30 am

    Solution 2 Thumbs Up!

    Reply

  253. shobhit
    July 5, 2016 @ 12:52 pm

    Thank You,
    Thank you so much for this post. Solution 2 worked for me.

    Reply

  254. rexwhyte
    July 2, 2016 @ 11:43 am

    solution 2 just fixed it correctly thanks alot

    Reply

  255. martin Cueto
    June 29, 2016 @ 10:14 am

    Gracias amigoooo!!!

    Reply

  256. Andrejs Soboļevs
    June 25, 2016 @ 2:21 pm

    Solution 2 helped me. Thanks a lot for a very cool post.

    Reply

  257. Greg
    June 24, 2016 @ 2:58 am

    After Step 3 my PC started picking up the updates.

    Should I still follow Step 4 – install Intel RSTS Driver? My PC manufacturer (DELL) does not have the driver available for my PC (Dimension E510). Should I just install version available from Intel?

    Reply

    • lakonst
      June 24, 2016 @ 7:51 am

      @Greg: If your problem was solved, you 're ok.

      Reply

  258. Sweepkins
    June 22, 2016 @ 12:29 am

    1st & 2nd Didn't work for me :-( not tried the 3rd.

    Reply

  259. shravan
    June 18, 2016 @ 6:11 pm

    Worked, Thanks very use full

    Reply

  260. David
    June 18, 2016 @ 1:53 am

    You're a life saver!

    I have been installing Windows for friends and own PC/Notebook for years and didn't encounter such problem until my latest notebook. Tried MS's FixIt, WindowsUpdateDiagnostic, etc. but nothing worked until I read this posting.

    Step#2 worked!

    Thank You.

    Reply

  261. Hotshot
    May 27, 2016 @ 3:45 pm

    Great ! Solution #3 worked for me. Thanks a lot.

    Reply

  262. math
    May 23, 2016 @ 9:18 pm

    second fix worked for me, much appreciated

    Reply

  263. Jeremy
    May 20, 2016 @ 1:43 pm

    Windows fix was useless. Your Solution 2 did the job. Why don't Microsoft know this?
    Thanks a lot.

    Reply

  264. Tracey Gould
    May 15, 2016 @ 4:24 am

    I tried every single one of these, and have been trying to fix this problem for too many hours. Then I googled the error code instead of the error message and 2 minutes later my windows were updating. Check out this link http://www.sevenforums.com/windows-updates-activation/287435-re-installed-windows-7-windows-update-will-not-work-properly.html
    I have to go restart now, after the update. Hope this saves others some time.

    Reply

  265. minaz
    May 13, 2016 @ 3:58 am

    thx worked like a charm #2

    Reply

  266. Rylene
    May 6, 2016 @ 9:00 am

    Thank you. I'm glad I bumped into your website. The steps you provided fixed the Windows update error which I have been trying to fix for several months in a matter of minutes. Kudos

    Reply

  267. Dan
    May 1, 2016 @ 4:53 am

    Had to reinstall Win7U from a system image dated three years ago, got to the point of checking Windows Update, got the dreaded "service is not running", tried several fixes offered by Microsoft itself to no avail, and then learned to delete the Software Distribution Folder here, and after hours of frustration, success. Sad Microsoft is so useless, but glad google found your site!

    Reply

  268. Carlos
    April 29, 2016 @ 7:14 pm

    Gracias!!!!!
    Con la Solution 3 me han salido las actualizaciones.

    Reply

  269. agus
    April 27, 2016 @ 1:50 pm

    It work , Thanks so much

    Reply

  270. Mufid
    April 20, 2016 @ 4:35 pm

    Dear admin,
    many thanks.
    Problem solved after using your advice.

    Reply

  271. J
    April 17, 2016 @ 10:31 pm

    I tried solution 2 and it didn't work, but then tried solution 3 and that one did. Thanks!

    Reply

  272. Dilshad
    April 17, 2016 @ 4:11 pm

    Thanks sir. It Worked. I appreciate your effort

    Reply

  273. Miled Rizk
    April 11, 2016 @ 5:06 pm

    thanks! the second solution worked!

    Reply

  274. Ayman Alansary
    April 8, 2016 @ 6:03 pm

    Thanks, solution 3 worked well. You really helped me a lot.

    Reply

  275. mohamed
    April 5, 2016 @ 10:54 pm

    thanks for your help

    Reply

  276. shamzi
    March 29, 2016 @ 7:20 am

    Hello gent,

    i have tried second solution its worked for me. :) thank you so much.

    Reply

  277. eisa pk
    March 20, 2016 @ 5:05 am

    i can't install intel turbo boost technology on my hp laptop it has processor core i 7 720qm quad core 1.6 mhz the laptop version is dv7-3085dx please help me

    Reply

  278. S Ramachandran
    March 4, 2016 @ 5:23 am

    Dear Sirs,
    Thanks a lot. Solution 2 worked for me. I am not an expert in computer and was afraid of dealing with program files. But your instructions were precise and I could execute the steps without any problem.

    Thank you once again.

    Best regards / SR

    Reply

  279. demangparfa
    March 1, 2016 @ 2:15 am

    Hello, I tried Solution 2, after I typed: services.msc and press Enter. I could not find "Windows Update service". What should I do ?

    Thank you

    Reply

    • lakonst
      March 1, 2016 @ 10:11 am

      @demangparfa: Try the solutions provided at this tutorial.

      Reply

  280. sushil zingare
    February 26, 2016 @ 11:08 pm

    Solution 2 works for me…I am very happy now. THANKS

    Reply

  281. Carl
    February 16, 2016 @ 2:01 am

    Thank you so much dofor your help

    Reply

  282. Jishnu
    February 5, 2016 @ 6:10 pm

    Thanks a lot.. solution 2 worked

    Reply

  283. Alceu
    February 3, 2016 @ 3:12 am

    Solution#2 has fixed my problem.
    Thanks a lot!

    Reply

  284. Bruce Wayne
    February 3, 2016 @ 1:13 am

    Step 2 was AWESOME :)

    Have been searching for the CORRECT and WORKING SOLUTION on how to get my Windows Update working for 1 straight week…

    Problem was solved today (February 03, 2016 3:12AM GMT)using Step No. 2

    A perfect gift for my Birthday :)

    Thank You so Much =D

    PS: Please create a Facebook page so we can connect to you faster :)

    Reply

  285. Victor Meyer
    January 21, 2016 @ 2:46 am

    Solution 2 works for Vista but follow the steps carefully and in order ;)

    Reply

  286. Carol
    January 19, 2016 @ 9:08 pm

    Thank you!!!

    Reply

  287. Carol
    January 19, 2016 @ 9:07 pm

    Step 2 worked like a charm. It also fixed other issues with certain programs that weren't opening.

    Reply

  288. Rina
    January 4, 2016 @ 12:48 pm

    Thanks so much! It worked like a magic!

    Reply

  289. Heather
    January 3, 2016 @ 12:02 am

    Thank you! #2 did it after trying many other fixes.

    Reply

  290. Tony
    December 27, 2015 @ 12:21 am

    Hey men your amazing. Step 3 worked for me. I thought I'm done for. Thanks.

    Reply

  291. gerald
    December 20, 2015 @ 1:55 pm

    Hi
    thanks aolt…sln 2 worked perfect

    Reply

  292. Majika
    December 18, 2015 @ 5:44 pm

    Thanks a lot! Solution # 2 works like a charm!

    Reply

  293. Ben McCarthy
    December 4, 2015 @ 8:50 pm

    Other forums where saying to reload windows, solution 2 nailed it in seconds, THANKS!

    Reply

  294. Dan
    December 4, 2015 @ 10:23 am

    For those who have tried everything and failed, try downloading .Net Framework 4.5, worked for me finally…

    Reply

  295. Aadil
    October 27, 2015 @ 8:43 pm

    Thanks a lot. solution 2 worked for me

    Reply

  296. Ndosi
    October 19, 2015 @ 4:39 pm

    Waooo…..It's really working. I'm unspeakably happy for I have been looking for solution for days without getting help. If offering you my girlfriend would make you happier and smarter, I would have done so!!!

    Thanks.

    Reply

  297. Ralnavman
    October 18, 2015 @ 1:40 pm

    Solution 2 worked for me on a quite old unused netbook running Windows 7. Just a suggestion though, if it hasn't been updated for sometime such as mine, doublle click the working network adapter so that you can observe the data being sent/received as being an indication that it is working. I did it on mine as I didn't have any other indication……ended up with 178 updates!!!

    Reply

  298. Dave
    October 16, 2015 @ 11:34 am

    Thank you very much for the information.
    I started with step 2, It took around 4 minutes for windows update to be working.
    Currently downloading, "18 important updates".
    Win 7 64bit

    Reply

  299. Andrius
    October 14, 2015 @ 2:08 pm

    Thanks a lot. this worked for me

    Reply

  300. Utkarsh
    September 18, 2015 @ 9:09 pm

    Thank you.
    Step 2 worked for me on my Win 7 64 bit.

    Reply

  301. Rebecca
    September 17, 2015 @ 5:37 pm

    Thanks a lot. this worked for me

    Reply

  302. johnny
    September 17, 2015 @ 3:39 am

    thanks solution 2 works

    Reply

  303. Invisitr0n
    September 15, 2015 @ 10:36 am

    I had this same issue, but my services were running, and restarting services did not help. My issue was windows firewall was disabled, enabling it let me search for updates. Win 7 ultimate x64.

    Reply

  304. sukey
    September 11, 2015 @ 2:50 am

    Solution 2 worked like a charm. Thanks!!!

    Reply

  305. mohamad
    September 5, 2015 @ 3:59 pm

    thanxs, it worked.. :)

    Reply

  306. Admin
    September 3, 2015 @ 11:05 pm

    Solution 2 fixed it….Thank you.

    Reply

  307. Paul
    August 30, 2015 @ 4:38 am

    Solution 2 was the winner. Thanks, the help was much appreciated.

    Reply

  308. kesiena
    August 29, 2015 @ 2:30 pm

    worked….really appreciate

    Reply

  309. Alex
    August 24, 2015 @ 5:29 pm

    Excellent, the second manual version worked for me! Thank you!

    Reply

  310. Anna
    August 22, 2015 @ 9:17 am

    Thanks! Solution 2 worked for me!

    Reply

  311. Bill
    August 19, 2015 @ 3:31 am

    Solution#1 failed but solution#2 fixed it and was very easy.

    Thanks!

    Reply

  312. Norris
    August 14, 2015 @ 12:16 pm

    Thanks a mil, solution 2 really helped.

    Reply

  313. rna
    August 9, 2015 @ 11:59 pm

    solution 2 worked thanks

    Reply

  314. Alhan
    August 1, 2015 @ 9:02 am

    I dont have windows update on my services

    Reply

  315. Paul
    July 31, 2015 @ 12:34 pm

    Well, Hallelujah!!!! Having struggled with this for months I followed your steps. Had to go all the way to step 3 but it worked!! Thank you so much.

    Reply

  316. varun advani
    July 31, 2015 @ 8:21 am

    thanks alot really = ) done in like a minute people like you are really respected in our hearts

    Reply

  317. Mr Eyesopen
    July 29, 2015 @ 12:11 pm

    Step 2 was causing the issue. Many thanks for your help.

    Reply

  318. Rob
    July 29, 2015 @ 9:50 am

    Thanks a lot!!! Microsoft Fix-it didn't help, but your solution 2 did resolve the problem : )

    Reply

  319. Christopher Assun
    July 27, 2015 @ 5:16 pm

    Worked!… thanks.., You Gud!

    Reply

  320. bina
    July 24, 2015 @ 11:16 am

    thanks a lot it worked !!

    Reply

  321. Mike
    July 24, 2015 @ 6:46 am

    Updates working now, don't know if it was just the Intel Rapid Storage Technology that was disabled which was stopping the Windows update from not working. Followed all the steps.

    Reply

  322. Champak lal
    July 23, 2015 @ 3:35 pm

    Thanks Beedu……….!

    Reply

  323. doug
    July 23, 2015 @ 2:29 am

    Thanks!!! That finally did it :-)

    Reply

  324. mick_600
    July 16, 2015 @ 12:10 pm

    I found method 1 on microsoft which typically didn't work.

    Your method 2 sorted things out a dream. Very helpful thankyou!

    Reply

  325. Blake
    July 10, 2015 @ 5:44 am

    hi lakonst2012,
    your tips worked, I'm back in business! I even got Defender to run as well.
    Thanks so much!

    Reply

  326. souvik
    July 4, 2015 @ 6:32 am

    thanks a lot bro

    Reply

  327. Val
    July 1, 2015 @ 2:49 pm

    Solution 2 worked as magic for me. Thanks!

    Reply

  328. Nick
    June 28, 2015 @ 7:05 pm

    Worked, manual instructions worked like a treat, i suppose this has something to do with the file windows update uses being corrupt or it cant find it, fixed now, thanks very much!

    Reply

  329. Nguyen Huu Phi
    June 28, 2015 @ 3:28 am

    Thank you.

    Reply

  330. Gary
    June 17, 2015 @ 9:04 am

    Solution #2 worked for me. It prompted the updater to update itself (or whatever). Thanks!

    Reply

  331. Danny
    June 14, 2015 @ 11:28 am

    None of them worked… 0 of 3…

    Reply

  332. Rita
    June 4, 2015 @ 2:50 pm

    Thank you very much! Solution 2 worked for me!

    Reply

  333. Andy
    May 29, 2015 @ 3:35 pm

    Solution#2 has fixed my problem.
    Thanks a lot!

    Reply

  334. wing
    May 27, 2015 @ 1:31 am

    i tried the first solution -failed
    i tried 2nd solution – failed

    and this computer is a server. any other methods i can try? many thanks

    Reply

    • lakonst
      May 27, 2015 @ 11:24 am

      @wing: Can you give me the error number displayed?

      Reply

  335. Huni
    May 14, 2015 @ 12:09 pm

    I had this problem this problem for a very long time. Stumbling upon your post is a miracle. Solution 2 worked for me. Thank you so much for this!

    Reply

  336. Stephen
    May 14, 2015 @ 12:46 am

    Windows Update does not appear in the Services. Now what??

    Reply

  337. Pingu
    May 13, 2015 @ 1:12 pm

    THANK YOU SO MUCH. I tried the first solution but it didnt work for me, tried the second and it worked perfectly…Thanks again

    Reply

  338. Bhavya
    May 12, 2015 @ 4:44 pm

    Solution 2 worked for me. Thanks!

    Reply

  339. Mak
    May 11, 2015 @ 11:29 am

    Hi wintips,
    Solution 1 does not work. Solution 2 works for me. I am happy and I had donated small token to you. Thanks for the help :)

    Reply

  340. jeca
    May 4, 2015 @ 10:17 am

    thank you so much!!!

    Reply

  341. KOPEC
    April 29, 2015 @ 10:49 pm

    Thanks a lot..it worked perfectly.

    Reply

  342. senthil
    April 21, 2015 @ 8:24 am

    Thank you somuch.
    working well :)

    Reply

  343. Noor
    April 10, 2015 @ 8:32 pm

    Worked perfectly fine with the second solution,,, thank you very much bro,,

    Reply

  344. Lee
    April 9, 2015 @ 11:13 am

    by the gods it worked! thank you from the tropical island of the Philippines!

    Reply

  345. Inge
    March 28, 2015 @ 10:12 pm

    Thank you very much, windows own fix couldnt fix this but your help did, thank you! (Solution 2)
    Tried to fix this many times without luck but now its working! yihaa!! :D

    Reply

  346. Uzair
    March 27, 2015 @ 1:53 pm

    Solution 2 Works For me Thanks :)

    Reply

  347. Dave
    March 25, 2015 @ 8:05 pm

    Works! Thanks!

    Reply

  348. JMA
    March 25, 2015 @ 3:03 am

    Thank you so much!!

    its work perfectly..

    :)

    Reply

  349. Jon
    March 23, 2015 @ 7:36 pm

    Thankyou so much! I have no idea why Intel Rapid Storage management has anything to do with windows file systems, but updated it and it worked. Thanks again!

    Reply

  350. Rahab
    March 14, 2015 @ 7:41 pm

    Yes SoftwareDistribution is a folder and i guess it was not there for me to delete.
    I finally made it work after I used the troupeshooter to identify my error number which was 0x80070005. Its using the SubInACL tool to create and use a reset cmd. Here is the link:

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/968003

    Thank you so much for your prompt responses, lakonst and that your post pointed out the folder that I was missing and after I deleted it worked just fine. I could not find it though because I updated my ssd HD from 500GB to 1TB. I installed windows 7 on it from my back up DVDs and intell rapid storage drive. Still that was not enough to make widows update work.

    Thank you again

    Reply

  351. Rahab
    March 14, 2015 @ 3:25 am

    Oh yes, I did. I also had ran all the diagnoses and fixes that windows caries and still looking for a solution. Great if you have a solution for this. Please let me know if I can provide any detail about the hard SSD HD and or my system.

    Reply

    • Rahab
      March 14, 2015 @ 6:15 am

      And no existence of SoftwareDistribution file.

      Reply

      • lakonst
        March 14, 2015 @ 11:04 am

        @Rahab: SoftwareDistribution is a folder (not a file). And is created when Windows Update checks for Updates…
        Please try the steps described here.
        If the problems persists, provide me details about your hardware (notebook model & ssd model).

        Reply

  352. Rahab
    March 13, 2015 @ 9:14 am

    I have used all the above steps, did not work and still giving me the same answer of:
    "windows update cannot currently check for updates, because the service is not running. you may need to restart your computer."
    I have updated my HD to double the storage and higher speed for windows 7 (64 bit) and performed a windows 7 installation from my back up DVDs. the computer is working just fine and the system of my notebook wont install or download any update so far.
    Thanks in advance.

    Reply

    • lakonst
      March 13, 2015 @ 6:21 pm

      @Rahab: You have installed the latest driver of Intel Rapid Storage?

      Reply

  353. Jodie
    March 12, 2015 @ 10:42 am

    That is crazy! Solutions 2 – easy peasy. Amazing how this stuff works sometimes!! Thank you so much!

    Reply

  354. Caleb
    March 11, 2015 @ 10:18 pm

    Thank you!!!! I have been searching forever and method 2 did the trick!!! Deleting the SoftwareDistribution folder worked like magic.

    Thank you thank you!

    Reply

  355. tuan dung
    March 7, 2015 @ 1:20 pm

    it work perfectly

    Reply

  356. Tomas
    March 3, 2015 @ 12:33 pm

    Hallo, I have Win Vista Pro SP2. I was try to both solution, but the updates doesn´t work and there are the same error. The service wuauserv is runing, the directory SoftwareDistribution is clean (only initial files and directories). Have you any idea?

    Reply

  357. aldave gonzales
    February 24, 2015 @ 4:15 am

    Very helpful a golden thank you….

    Reply

  358. Ed in Canada
    February 22, 2015 @ 4:36 pm

    Thank you! Worked like a charm. So simple too. I used the manual method and did a reboot before trying again.

    Reply

  359. nelson kassena
    February 19, 2015 @ 7:57 pm

    thanks allot it works for me god blessing u so much for help us

    Reply

  360. Tim
    February 18, 2015 @ 7:52 pm

    This method just worked for my Windows Vista! Thank you very much!

    Reply

  361. Wessley
    February 18, 2015 @ 7:46 am

    Cheers for the info, solution two worked for me, i had to click the blue words check for updates option rather than the big check for updates button in the box afterwards to check for updates as the big button displayed the same message for me, of not being able to check for updates…if that made any sense, thanks.

    Reply

  362. Sunny
    February 14, 2015 @ 9:22 pm

    Thanks a lot.It worked :)

    Reply

  363. Garrycas
    February 14, 2015 @ 9:07 am

    Thank you VERY MUCH!

    Reply

  364. EntryLevelNinja
    February 10, 2015 @ 1:25 pm

    Hey man! Thanks for the hack. Solution 2 worked! I'm so grateful to you :)

    Reply

  365. Nezz
    February 8, 2015 @ 9:20 pm

    Solution 2 worked perfectly! Thank you :-)

    Reply

  366. dheemanthank
    February 8, 2015 @ 5:10 pm

    Thank you so much. Looking at the comments i tried the 2nd solution. flawless !!!

    Reply

  367. Vijayendra
    February 2, 2015 @ 7:14 am

    Solution 2 Works
    Thanks a ton !

    Reply

    • Susan
      February 2, 2015 @ 3:16 pm

      I have followed solution 2. I am now getting an error when selecting Check Updates 'Windows could not search for new updates' Code 80072F78 Windows encountered an unknown error. I am on Windows Vista Home Premium Service Pack 1. Any ideas?

      Reply

  368. Nate
    February 2, 2015 @ 4:05 am

    Excellent! perfect fix! Thanks

    Reply

  369. Dave
    January 31, 2015 @ 9:45 am

    Thank you for this fix. I was able to use windows update again. :)

    Reply

  370. kubikle
    January 31, 2015 @ 9:10 am

    Thank you very much! Step two worked perfectly.

    Reply

  371. clive
    January 31, 2015 @ 1:13 am

    Solution 2 works better if you stop the service, rename the folder and reboot.
    If the service is not set to automatic, start it again after the reboot.

    Reply

  372. Daniel
    January 29, 2015 @ 10:13 pm

    Thanks, solution2 worked fine.

    Reply

  373. sheik mohideen
    January 28, 2015 @ 1:19 pm

    Thanks its working fine.

    Reply

  374. katie
    January 27, 2015 @ 10:16 am

    I had seen and tried what you have listed as solution 1 and other suggestions from various websites with no success. Then I found your site. Solution 2 was golden! The fail was on a laptop that had been powered off for months. After the folder rename, it is downloading 103 updates! Thanks a million!!!!!

    Reply

  375. Vivek Chakravarty
    January 24, 2015 @ 12:07 pm

    Thanks A Lot……It works!

    Reply

  376. ash
    January 21, 2015 @ 4:10 pm

    THANKS BUD. LUCK FOREVER TO YOU. WORKED BEAUTIFULLY. OMG:-) HAPPY:-)

    Reply

  377. Vin
    January 18, 2015 @ 1:19 am

    Manual solution is Perfect.
    My problem got solved.

    Reply

  378. TwoSisters
    January 17, 2015 @ 1:31 am

    Solution 2 worked for us too! Thanks for such easy to follow directions to rid us of this this Windows Vista nightmare!

    Reply

  379. dheeraj goud
    January 14, 2015 @ 11:26 am

    thanx buddy…i have been tryng long time even ms website not given detail description like you

    Reply

  380. Chris
    January 13, 2015 @ 7:10 pm

    Bravo! Thank you very much!!

    Reply

  381. jarda
    January 10, 2015 @ 11:02 am

    Many thank, it works now! Much appreciated Jarda

    Reply

  382. skyjumpr
    January 10, 2015 @ 8:32 am

    Awesome!!!! Solution 2 for me as well. Worked like a charm. Thanks, much appreciated.

    Reply

  383. G_lola
    January 9, 2015 @ 11:56 pm

    Thanks for your support. This information was very important to repair the error. Worth mentioning that I had to combine and repeat solutions.
    Best regards.

    Reply

  384. Lorraine
    January 8, 2015 @ 11:25 pm

    Solution 2 worked for me too!!! I restarted as well, 147 updates downloading now! Thank you!!!

    Reply

  385. Rabinatrix^_
    January 8, 2015 @ 1:30 am

    Solution 2 works if you restart the PC once you have started the WU service.

    Reply

  386. Chris
    January 3, 2015 @ 9:50 am

    On solution 2, when right clicking the windows update, the option to "stop" is not accessible. Only the "start" is available, HELP!

    Reply

    • lakonst
      January 3, 2015 @ 12:26 pm

      So, this is your problem: Windows Update service is not started on your system. Windows Update must be started in order to download Windows Updates.

      Reply

  387. Marc
    January 2, 2015 @ 11:38 pm

    Solution 2 works fine, thanks !

    Reply

  388. Marty
    January 1, 2015 @ 10:45 am

    Solution #2 worked perfectly. Thank-you so much!

    Reply

  389. veerabathiran
    December 31, 2014 @ 9:15 am

    It is working fine,Thanks

    Reply

  390. Dex
    December 22, 2014 @ 5:10 pm

    I tried all of these "fixes" none of them worked.

    Reply

  391. Dennis
    December 5, 2014 @ 3:29 pm

    Wow!!! This is the first fix I found that did the job. Solution 2 worked perfectly. Thanks so much for the help!!

    Reply

  392. gerrard
    December 5, 2014 @ 1:42 pm

    Thanks. Dont know why the official micosoft answers that appear at the top of the search list cannot provide such simple fixes. Thank you so much

    Reply

  393. ChrisB
    December 4, 2014 @ 8:00 pm

    Ran 'Fix It' "Problems installing recent updates" 'Not Fixed'. "Service registration is missing or corrupt" 'Fixed'. "Windows Update Error 0x80080005 (2014-12-04-T-12_23_33P) 'Fixed'.

    Followed Solution 2 and received the following:
    !Windows could not start the Windows Update service on Local Computer. Error 0x8007277a: The requested service provider could not be loaded or initialized.

    Reply

    • lakonst
      December 5, 2014 @ 6:17 pm

      @ChrisB: You have another problem that the described one. Try the following: Run Command Prompt as Administrator & execute the following commands:
      1. Type "netsh winsock reset" (without quotes) & press Enter.
      2. Type "netsh int ipv4 reset" (without quotes) & press Enter.

      Reply

      • William
        December 18, 2015 @ 3:33 am

        This is the one that fixed it for me. There is also apparently an ipv6 that some computers use and need to be rest (but not mine).

        Reply

      • Daz
        December 23, 2015 @ 11:40 am

        Tried allsorts of other solutions and got nowhere. This is what fixed it. Thanks mate :)

        Reply

      • Tim
        January 12, 2016 @ 8:31 am

        This did the trick – I'm glad I scrolled down, thanks!

        Reply

      • Lina
        March 24, 2016 @ 11:28 am

        I've tried all solution and the problems still remain. This one is fixed it. Thank you very much!! :D

        Reply

        • lakonst
          March 24, 2016 @ 7:53 pm

          @Lina: Glad to hear that. But which solution is fixed your problem?

          Reply

      • Anu
        May 18, 2016 @ 4:13 pm

        tried all sorts of fixing and problem still remains… But this one worked like a magic.. tq so much….

        Reply

      • Dennis
        May 29, 2016 @ 1:38 am

        I cannot overstate how much I am grateful for this advice. After 4 days of me trying everything but in vain… It worked now!
        Thank you man.

        Reply

      • Yaser
        August 30, 2016 @ 7:39 am

        this one is the perfect solution… thanks

        Reply

      • Lee
        October 24, 2016 @ 5:49 pm

        Have tried all the above including the command prompt to no avail.
        Method 2 didn't work even though I was logged on as admin, I still couldn't get around deleting or renaming the folder.
        Anything else I could try as pulling my hair out now?

        Reply

        • lakonst
          October 25, 2016 @ 9:55 am

          @Lee: 1. You have to stop the Windows Update service in order to delete the SoftwareDistribution folder. 2. Try to Enter Windows in Safe Mode and then then delete the folder.

          Reply

          • Ann
            October 13, 2017 @ 8:14 pm

            Hey same problem here. Even in safe mode, I couldn't stop widows update service. I was just never given that option. Did everything listed above & deleted the folder in safe mode but nothing has changed..

          • lakonst
            October 16, 2017 @ 11:41 am

            @Ann: Set the startup type to disabled and restart. Delete the SoftwareDistribution folder, set the startup type to Automatic and restart. Check for updates.

  394. Happy Camper
    December 4, 2014 @ 8:31 am

    Worked like a charm! Much appreciated!

    Reply

  395. Service Desk
    December 3, 2014 @ 5:01 am

    Thanks, it works.

    Reply

  396. moataz mahmoud
    November 28, 2014 @ 6:18 am

    dear mr, awesome, many thanks to you first one didnt work but second one was like magic :D .. thank you so much I wish I could donate but unfortunately I cant :(.. anyways keep it up and thanks again..

    Reply

  397. Mike
    November 26, 2014 @ 7:37 pm

    The Microsoft Fix It process didn't resolve the issue, but the manual directions did. Thank you.

    Reply

  398. Sri
    November 25, 2014 @ 9:02 pm

    Thank you verymuch. Solution 2 worked perfectly. After the folder rename it works perfectly.

    Reply

  399. Dickson
    November 20, 2014 @ 11:15 am

    thank you very much. that was very helpful

    Reply

  400. Tony
    November 13, 2014 @ 3:57 pm

    Tried solution 2 but it still does not update.
    Thanks anyway

    Reply

    • Sybille Schaufler
      December 10, 2014 @ 11:09 pm

      Reading yours and several other comments I started with solution 2. Step 1, c showed my Windows Update service as being disabled. All other options were grayed out. Note: This laptop runs Windows 7 Home Premium.

      Next I tried Solution 1. This took some patience, as each step seemed to go on forever. I finally walked away to perform some tasks outside the office in between steps. After everything seemed complete it still wouldn't work.
      I then powered down, waited a bit and restarted. Clicked on all programs, Windows update. It worked and found 150 important updates plus 5 optional ones. Downloading again took forever. With 0% completion. When I clicked on 'View update history' it showed a very long list of updates, but all had 'failed'.
      The trouble shooter showed 1 step as not completed, with a new error message. When I followed up on this I found that my Internet Connection had gone down due to a hydro outage in the whole area.

      I went away and did some shopping. Now here I am several hours later. After restarting the system I also found I needed to disable my firewall (Comodo). After that: I'm watching as 15 of 150 updates have completed. Internet Explorer 11 for Windows 7 is being installed right now.

      The morale of it all: Have patience. Each step evidently may take a very long time. Go have a nice coffee break or whatever. Don't give up easily.

      Hey it finished IE 11 and is installing update 16. Hurray and thanks a million.

      Reply

  401. Moncef Amdouni
    November 13, 2014 @ 3:57 pm

    Dear madam sir,
    Many thanks for your precious help
    Best regards

    Reply

    • RobHop
      May 28, 2015 @ 3:38 pm

      Solution 2 fixed it first try. Thank you so much!!! Finally resolved after a few hours of head banging.

      Reply

    • tiffy
      August 4, 2016 @ 12:22 pm

      thank you!!!

      Reply

      • exxerion35
        July 18, 2017 @ 5:01 pm

        solution 2 works for me

        Reply

        • Baya
          November 12, 2017 @ 9:19 am

          Thanks so much, solution 2 worked for me at first try. So glad

          Reply

          • Claire
            December 12, 2017 @ 10:06 pm

            Solution 2 worked for me too

    • Žarko-Serbia
      September 8, 2016 @ 2:12 pm

      2nd solution it works for me! Thanks!!!

      Reply

      • killer
        January 14, 2017 @ 6:11 pm

        also for me

        Reply

      • alnas
        January 16, 2017 @ 5:13 pm

        me too

        Reply

        • jeh!
          February 22, 2017 @ 4:10 am

          For me as well.

          Reply

      • Connor DeGonda
        September 17, 2017 @ 8:50 pm

        2nd worked thanks a ton

        Reply

    • guy
      December 4, 2017 @ 5:54 pm

      indeed thank you

      Reply

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