windows update just seems to hang while checking.

[virtual6]

FWIW on my Windows 7 system, checking for (July) updates took...3 minutes!
My entire updating process took only 30 minutes.
If there were optimizing patches installed last month, then they may have helped...although last month (June) my checking for updates only took 25 minutes.
I mention this for those who may think Win7 update requests have a low priority with MS servers.

 

[lmacri]

FWIW on my Windows 7 system, checking for (July) updates took...3 minutes!
My entire updating process took only 30 minutes. If there were optimizing patches installed last month, then they may have helped...

Hi virtual6:

Microsoft released KB3161647 (Windows Update Client for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2: June 2016) last month that includes an update for the Windows Update Agent (WUA) for Win 7 that adds "an optimization that addresses long scan time for updates". This update was one of six hotfixes included in KB3161608 (June 2016 update rollup for Windows 7 SP1 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1). See Woody Leonhard's Woody on Windows article Microsoft releases KB 3161647, KB 3161608 to fix slow Windows 7 update scans for details. Woody notes in that article that "there's no analogous patch for Vista customers".

Woody's comments in this month's companion article Microsoft Patch Tuesday stirs up plenty of hype, but not much cause for alarm confirm that KB3161647 appears to have solved the slow Windows Updates for most Win 7 users when they installed their July 2016 Patch Tuesday updates.

The old Windows Update Agent (WUA) v7.6.7600.256 for Vista at C:\Windows\system32\wuaueng.dll is the most likely candidate for causing the "Checking for updates..." hangs on Vista machine. Microsoft hasn't updated this WUA for Vista since June 2012 and I doubt there will be a long-term, permanent solution for these slow Windows Updates unless Microsoft takes pity on us and releases an updated WUA before extended support for Vista officially ends on 11-Apr-2017. From Dalai's workaround at http://wu.krelay.de/en/:

"The term 'solution' might be a little bit exaggerated, since the following HowTo only tries to make sure that the Update Agent doesn't need to check all updates, so the check for new updates is done faster. Futhermore, it's only a temporary solution; most likely the issue will appear again with the next Patchday."
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32-bit Vista Home Premium SP2 * Firefox v47.0.1 * NIS v22.7.0.76 * MBAM Premium v2.2.1

 

[townsbg]

Well after leaving my VMs running all night I had updates for both and the stand alone completed checking. I cancelled the stand alone and proceeded with the install. 7 was quick in downloading however Vista wouldn't download even through the morning (I lost internet for an undetermined period of time though). When I found the updates still downloading this afternoon on Vista I ran the stand alone (after a reboot and disconnecting from the internet) then that the updates did download but I don't know how long it took since I left my computer alone for a while. I have definitely had more problems with Vista this month both with checking and downloading and more problems with 7 in checking but not downloading. Still though no problems with 2008 or 2008 r2. Either M$ gives servers a higher priority or this has to do with having less applications installed. Vista only found 8 or 9 updates. Should there be more?

Lesson learned; if there are updates that should be installed manually I'll do so and disconnect from the internet to bypass a full update check. I'll proceed with any stand alone install on both Vista and 7 before attempting a full check and pray that it helps. Patch tuesday has become such a nightmare for me.

 

[lmacri]

Vista only found 8 or 9 updates. Should there be more?

Lesson learned; if there are updates that should be installed manually I'll do so and disconnect from the internet to bypass a full update check.

Hi townsbg:

That sounds about right for the July 2016 Patch Tuesday updates. After manually pre-installing KB3168965, my Windows Update only found an additional 7 Important updates (including 2 for the MS Office Compatibility Pack SP3) and one Optional update for Silverlight. I checked the Microsoft Security Bulletin Summary for July 2016 and confirmed that Microsoft issued a relatively small batch of updates for Vista this month.
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32-bit Vista Home Premium SP2 * Firefox v47.0.1 * NIS v22.7.0.76 * MBAM Premium v2.2.1

 

[Vista1972]

Just wondering...

Has anyone experienced the MSRT downloading repeatedly after already being installed?

This behavior started last month and if I hide the update the previous month's MSRT shows. Also, if I do install it, it immediately changes to installed showing in the installed Windows Updates listing as well. Sometimes it'll go a few days before it shows up again as an available update. Both of my Vista PC's started doing this after the June updates.

Believe me...I'm not reloading Vista to fix it! :D

If this question should to be asked in another thread, my apologies. Thanks!

 

[Vistaar]

Has anyone experienced the MSRT downloading repeatedly after already being installed?

Yes, feel free to post any observations in my thread: http://www.vistax64.com/windows-upd...-removal-tool-returns-haunt-me-june-13-a.html.

 

[Vista1972]

Yes, feel free to post any observations in my thread: http://www.vistax64.com/windows-upd...-removal-tool-returns-haunt-me-june-13-a.html.

Excellent! Thanks Vistaar!

 

[VFN]

10 hours checking for updates today and nothing. Worst I've experienced.

 

[townsbg]

Hi townsbg:

That sounds about right for the July 2016 Patch Tuesday updates. After manually pre-installing KB3168965, my Windows Update only found an additional 7 Important updates (including 2 for the MS Office Compatibility Pack SP3) and one Optional update for Silverlight. I checked the Microsoft Security Bulletin Summary for July 2016 and confirmed that Microsoft issued a relatively small batch of updates for Vista this month.
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32-bit Vista Home Premium SP2 * Firefox v47.0.1 * NIS v22.7.0.76 * MBAM Premium v2.2.1

I didn't even get an offering for Silverlight however I don't have it installed. Maybe there isn't a new version since the last one I ignored but only a patch for existing installs. Your statement makes me wonder if they even care enough about it to provide any more such updates through the rest of Vista support.

Just wondering...

Has anyone experienced the MSRT downloading repeatedly after already being installed?

This behavior started last month and if I hide the update the previous month's MSRT shows. Also, if I do install it, it immediately changes to installed showing in the installed Windows Updates listing as well. Sometimes it'll go a few days before it shows up again as an available update. Both of my Vista PC's started doing this after the June updates.

Believe me...I'm not reloading Vista to fix it! :D

If this question should to be asked in another thread, my apologies. Thanks!

I refuse to install it.

 

[Vistaar]

10 hours checking for updates today and nothing. Worst I've experienced.

Did you follow Vista1972's advice in post #214? That's what I would suggest.

 

[VFN]

Did you follow Vista1972's advice in post #214? That's what I would suggest.

I plan to. I'm just surprised that 8 and 10 hours attempts haven't worked. Haven't seen that before.

 

[Autobahn]

I have Vista 32bit home edition laptop and I tried installing these:

KB3078601 (rel. 18-Aug-2015); KB3109094 (rel. 07-Dec-2015); KB3145739 (rel. 12-Apr-2016); KB3164033 (rel. 14-Jun-2016); KB3168965 (rel. 12-Jul-2016)

but I get this for each one I try:

'The update does not apply to your system'.

What next?

 

[lmacri]

I have Vista 32bit home edition laptop and I tried installing these:

KB3078601 (rel. 18-Aug-2015); KB3109094 (rel. 07-Dec-2015); KB3145739 (rel. 12-Apr-2016); KB3164033 (rel. 14-Jun-2016); KB3168965 (rel. 12-Jul-2016)

but I get this for each one I try: 'The update does not apply to your system'. What next?

Hi Autobahn:

If you downloaded the correct Vista x86 version of the standalone update packages (.msu files) for your 32-bit Vista SP2 machine using the links on Dalai's webpage at Search for Windows Updates takes forever? - A possible solution it's possible that the installer reported that they were not applicable because they were already installed on your system - see the Microsoft support article "The update is not applicable to your computer" error when you install Windows updates.

Did you follow Step # 3 in the instructions posted 16-Jun-2016 in m#l's thread Updates not working, it has been searching for updates for hours and search your installed updates at Control Panel | Programs and Features | View Installed Updates to see which of the five Win32K.sys updates listed at http://wu.krelay.de/en/ are already installed on your system? You only have to pre-install the update(s) that are missing. If I search my own installed updates for KB3078601, for example, I can see this Win32K.sys update was already installed on my 32-bit Vista SP2 machine on 16-Aug-2015 during my August 2015 Patch Tuesday updates.



HINT: When you search your installed updates, enter the full KB number in the search box (e.g., KB3078601 and not a partial string like 3078601).
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32-bit Vista Home Premium SP2 * Firefox v47.0.1 * NIS v22.7.0.76 * MBAM Premium v2.2.1

 

[phunt110]

I have only managed to install 3 of those files KB3078601, KB3109094 & KB3168965.

I can not find an install file for KB3145739 or KB3164033.

Even though I have installed the above 3, windows update is still not working.

Any ideas?

I have Vista 32bit home edition laptop and I tried installing these:

KB3078601 (rel. 18-Aug-2015); KB3109094 (rel. 07-Dec-2015); KB3145739 (rel. 12-Apr-2016); KB3164033 (rel. 14-Jun-2016); KB3168965 (rel. 12-Jul-2016)

but I get this for each one I try:

'The update does not apply to your system'.

What next?

 

[Autobahn]

Hi Autobahn:

If you downloaded the correct Vista x86 version of the standalone update packages (.msu files) for your 32-bit Vista SP2 machine using the links on Dalai's webpage at Search for Windows Updates takes forever? - A possible solution it's possible that the installer reported that they were not applicable because they were already installed on your system - see the Microsoft support article "The update is not applicable to your computer" error when you install Windows updates.

Did you follow Step # 3 in the instructions posted 16-Jun-2016 in m#l's thread Updates not working, it has been searching for updates for hours and search your installed updates at Control Panel | Programs and Features | View Installed Updates to see which of the five Win32K.sys updates listed at Search for Windows Updates takes forever? - A possible solution are already installed on your system? You only have to pre-install the update(s) that are missing. If I search my own installed updates for KB3078601, for example, I can see this Win32K.sys update was already installed on my 32-bit Vista SP2 machine on 16-Aug-2015 during my August 2015 Patch Tuesday updates.

View attachment 29357

HINT: When you search your installed updates, enter the full KB number in the search box (e.g., KB3078601 and not a partial string like 3078601).
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32-bit Vista Home Premium SP2 * Firefox v47.0.1 * NIS v22.7.0.76 * MBAM Premium v2.2.1

Thanks for the reply.
All five were already installed but when I was searching for them I did not put 'KB' in front........
Windows update has now connected which is a relief.

 

[Autobahn]

Should I be able to update Internet Explorer 9 through 'windows update', as 'Avast Software Updater' says Internet Explorer needs updating and I can't remember having to do this seperately before?

Windows Update is not showing an update for it.

 

[lmacri]

All five were already installed but when I was searching for them I did not put 'KB' in front........
Windows update has now connected which is a relief....

...Should I be able to update Internet Explorer 9 through 'windows update',

If all five of the Windows kernel-mode driver updates listed on Dalai's webpage at Search for Windows Updates takes forever? - A possible solution were installed, including this month's KB3168965 (MS16-090: Description of the security update for Windows kernel-mode drivers: July 12, 2016), then Windows Update must have run at least once since 12-Jul-2016 (the second Tuesday of the month) and installed one or more updates released for the July 2016 Patch Tuesday updates.

Does Control Panel | Windows Update | View Update History (or Control Panel | Programs and Features | View Installed Updates) show that Windows Update already installed this month's KB3170106 (MS16-084: Security update for Internet Explorer: July 12, 2016). If it hasn't been installed yet, just re-boot and run a manual Windows Update (Control Panel | Windows Update | Check for Updates) - Windows Update should automatically detect and install this latest cumulative security update for IE9 if it's missing from your system.
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32-bit Vista Home Premium SP2 * Firefox v47.0.1 * NIS v22.7.0.76 * MBAM Premium v2.2.1

 

[Autobahn]

If all five of the Windows kernel-mode driver updates listed on Dalai's webpage at Search for Windows Updates takes forever? - A possible solution were installed, including this month's KB3168965 (MS16-090: Description of the security update for Windows kernel-mode drivers: July 12, 2016), then Windows Update must have run at least once since 12-Jul-2016 (the second Tuesday of the month) and installed one or more updates released for the July 2016 Patch Tuesday updates.

Does Control Panel | Windows Update | View Update History (or Control Panel | Programs and Features | View Installed Updates) show that Windows Update already installed this month's KB3170106 (MS16-084: Security update for Internet Explorer: July 12, 2016). If it hasn't been installed yet, just re-boot and run a manual Windows Update (Control Panel | Windows Update | Check for Updates) - Windows Update should automatically detect and install this latest cumulative security update for IE9 if it's missing from your system.
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32-bit Vista Home Premium SP2 * Firefox v47.0.1 * NIS v22.7.0.76 * MBAM Premium v2.2.1

Yes, KB3170106 is installed, so Avast is showing a false reading?

I did a manual WU and nothing else is needed for installing.

Thanks again for your help.

 

[Vistaar]

Should I be able to update Internet Explorer 9 through 'windows update', as 'Avast Software Updater' says Internet Explorer needs updating and I can't remember having to do this seperately before?

Windows Update is not showing an update for it.

I suspect your third-party product is simply alerting you to the fact that IE 9 is quite old and no longer supported on Windows 7 or higher, however it is the only IE version supported on Vista; IE 10 and 11 cannot be installed on Vista.

 

[lmacri]

Yes, KB3170106 is installed, so Avast is showing a false reading? I did a manual WU and nothing else is needed for installing.

That would be my guess, yes. When I open IE9 and click Help | About Internet Explorer I can see that I have v9.0.8112.1642 and Update Version 9.0.52 (installed by KB3170106). If you re-boot and run your Avast Software Updater again does it recommend a newer version number?



EDIT:

Good point made by Vistaar in post # 259. IE9 supports older security protocols like SSL and TLS 1.0 but can't support newer protocols like TLS 1.1 and 1.2 on secure (https://) sites. If you browse to the Qualys SSL Labs site at https://www.ssllabs.com/ssltest/viewMyClient.html using your IE9 browser you will get a warning that your browser is insecure. That's why I switched to Firefox as my default browser a few years ago, and it's possible your Avast Software Updater is (incorrectly) nagging you to update your IE9 browser even though IE11 is not compatible with Vista.
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32-bit Vista Home Premium SP2 * Firefox v47.0.1 * NIS v22.7.0.76 * MBAM Premium v2.2.1