Windows 7 Updates, Microsoft's Recommendations.

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Possible fixes for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 updating problem. Solutions mentioned are from Microsoft themselves. I started a case with them from our Microsoft Silver Partner option to open a case and get direct support from Microsoft.
If someone has other solutions commend down below.
Hello everyone,

I know I'm not the only one here, but we have alot of issues with Windows 7 clients that are unable to search and/or install Windows Updates. 
On the internet you'll find alot of fixes and work-arounds, but it keeps getting worse and worse. 

It looks like MS is trying to force everyone to upgrade to W10 or reinstall Windows 7 somehow ?

So I started a case with Microsoft on the update problem with Windows 7, they advised me some new KB's and other fixes. I had a laptop last week updating day and night but he didn't find the updates. One of the fixes they send me worked for me so it will probably work for a lot of other people as well.

So the first 2 fixes you will need to try, also when you think it doesn't apply to your situation.

Note; After each update i recommend restarting your computer before starting to search for updates.

1.  Hotfix Slow CPU To Increase the Search Speed - 
   https://support.microsoft.com/nl-nl/kb/3102810

2.  The first KB update to try
    https://www.microsoft.com/nl-nl/download/details.aspx?id=50797

When the first options don't work these one of the 2 below should work.

Try the fixes in this order;

1. Stop Windows update services.
Install : https://download.microsoft.com/download/5/D/0/5D0821EB-A92D-4CA2-9020-EC41D56B074F/Windows6.1-KB3020369-x64.msu -> April 2015 SP1 Update


2. Stop Windows update services.
Install : https://download.microsoft.com/download/5/6/0/560504D4-F91A-4DEB-867F-C713F7821374/Windows6.1-KB3172605-x64.msu July 2016 SP 1 Update


3. Stop Windows update services.
Install : http://catalog.update.microsoft.com/v7/site/search.aspx?q=kb3125574 Convenience rollup update SP1

I hope 1 of the fixes worked out for you! It's still a lot you need to try out and also annoying that there is no fix where you just need to install 1 fix. For the time being this should work out for most of the pc's. If not i would recommend contacting Microsoft although they will suggest you KB's you already tried.

If someone has other solutions comment down below please;

Things i tried before doing this were;
 
1. Install this KB Hotfix - https://support.microsoft.com/nl-nl/kb/3102810. This one is a known fix, but doesn't help anymore.
2. Stop the Windows Search service, go to <C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution and delete all the files>. Reboot and search again for updates.
3. Install the latest Update for Windows Update : https://support.microsoft.com/nl-nl/kb/949104
4. Download the update readiness tool and let the tool search and fix.
5. Download and ran the update readiness tool
 6. Reset the Windows Updates components https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/971058
netsh winsock reset
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Comments (1)

I have a procedure that I documented for my junior techs that follows close to the same sequence as yours.
We use it not only when Win7 updates are not working, but also during Win7 reinstalls.  Gets us past having to download and install quite so many updates, right out of the box.

Prerequisites
A) You must have SP1 installed before installing these updates.
B) Ensure that your system time has the proper timezone and that the time is correct.

1) Change Windows Update settings to 'Never check for updates'
2) Reboot your PC
3) Install KB3020369 - April 2015 Servicing stack update ( https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3020369 )
4) Reboot your PC
5) Install KB3125574 - April 2016 Convenience rollup update ( https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3125574 )
6) Reboot your PC
***NOTE: If Internet Explorer 11 is already installed, skip to Step 9.
7) Install IE11 - Internet Explorer 11 Offline Installer
 ( 32-bit = http://download.microsoft.com/download/9/2/F/92FC119C-3BCD-476C-B425-038A39625558/IE11-Windows6.1-x86-en-us.exe )
 ( 64-bit = http://download.microsoft.com/download/7/1/7/7179A150-F2D2-4502-9D70-4B59EA148EAA/IE11-Windows6.1-x64-en-us.exe )
8) Reboot your PC
9) Install KB3172605 - July 2016 update rollup ( https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3172605 )
10) Reboot your PC
11) Change Windows Update settings to whichever setting you prefer
12) Check for new updates.

At this point, the update process should be working properly.
Well, as properly as Windows Update ever has... *grin*

Additional notes:
It is not *strictly* required to reboot after each change, but if you want to be certain that you only have to go through this process once,
it is safest to just reboot when indicated.  Changing the Windows Update settings to 'Never check' as the first step will alleviate a lot of the headache that an out-of-control update service can cause, and will let you install the updates without having to stop the service each time.


I welcome any comments or constructive criticisms.

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