Windows update will not check for updates

Hi

I have recently been having problems with windows update and many other things. Basically it won't check for updates. When you click to check for updates, the bar starts but stays stuck searching. I then also notices microsoft security essentials does the same when u try and update. AVG free failed to install and I tried installing google chrome because I hate explorer and it also failed due to windows installer error. I tried manually installing service pack 2 from windows and it also failed. Nothing windows based will update.

I first noticed all this when I moved in with my girlfriend and started using her laptop. It is a decent laptop and the first thing I noticed it was a bit sluggish and I checked the CPU usage and one thing was hogging 70% all the time. It was windows error reporting or something similar which I disabled through systems, but nothing changed. Thats when I tried to update windows and it had 1 important update and 2 optional which I did. I remember one completed and 2 failed I think and after I restarted the computer the updater has not been working at all.

I got tune up utilities but it did not change anything after cleaning up various things. I also got rid one one malware thing from a free month trial with malwarebytes I think.

I have seen people talking about command prompts and cleaning registries but I cant get them to work properly.

I do not get errors report codes which is also a problem because its always frozen on checking for updates.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.]

Thankyou

From the MSE FAQ. I copied from my Help Section
When using Microsoft Security Essentials, you may receive a message that refers to virus and spyware definition updates in one of the following situations:

• You receive a notification that you should check for new virus and spyware definition updates
• When you try to check for updates, you receive an error message that the virus and spyware definition updates cannot be checked, downloaded, or installed

Follow these simple steps to resolve this problem.
Step 1: Make sure you're connected to the Internet

1. Microsoft Security Essentials can't update its virus & spyware definitions if you aren't connected to the Internet.
2. If you can't connect to the Internet, see I can't connect to the Internet issue (General topic).
3. Restart your computer, and then try to install Microsoft Security Essentials again.

Step 2: Make sure the date and time are set correctly on your computer

1. Open Microsoft Security Essentials.
2. If the error message that you received contains the code 0x80072f8f, the problem is most likely caused by an incorrect date or time setting on your computer.
3. Follow the steps in this online article to reset your computer's date or time setting.

Step 3: Restart your computer if necessary

1. Open Microsoft Security Essentials.
2. If the error message that you received contains codes 0x80240016 or 80070652, restart your computer.

Step 4: Remove any existing Internet security programs

1. In Windows XP, click Start, click Run, type appwiz.cpl, and then press ENTER.
   –or–
   In Windows Vista or Windows 7, click Start, click in the Start Search box, type appwiz.cpl, and then press ENTER.
2. In the list of installed programs, uninstall any third-party Internet security programs.*
3. Restart your computer, and then try to install Microsoft Security Essentials again.

Note: *Some Internet security applications do not uninstall completely. You may need to download and run a cleanup utility for your previous security application in order for it to be completely removed


Caution: When you remove Internet security programs, your computer is unprotected. If you have problems installing Microsoft Security Essentials after you remove existing Internet security programs, contact Microsoft Security Essentials Support immediately by submitting a case online (see How to submit a case online for details).


Step 5: Check for virus and spyware definition updates in Microsoft Security Essentials

1. Open Microsoft Security Essentials.
2. Click the Update tab, and then click Update.
3. If these steps don't resolve the issue, then update the virus and spyware definitions manually by following the steps below.

Step 6: Manually install the virus and spyware definition updates

1. Visit one of the Microsoft Security Portals. If you are using the English version of Windows, visit the Microsoft Security Portal.
2. Follow the steps on the Web site to download and install the appropriate virus and spyware definition updates.
3. If you can't manually install the virus and spyware definition updates or if you still receive error messages about virus and spyware definition updates in Microsoft Security Essentials, please submit a case online.

Note: If you were able to manually install virus and spyware definitions, the problem is most likely caused by a download problem. To learn how to resolve download issues, see Resolving download

neilawallace said:

Hi

I have recently been having problems with windows update and many other things. Basically it won't check for updates. When you click to check for updates, the bar starts but stays stuck searching.

Click to expand...

Go to Start>>Services.msc and stop Windows Update service,next empty C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution and try again download & install updates,but don't install updates all at once,split updates into small groups and install only one group at time.

thanks guys I will try these tonight.