Why does Windows Update keep staying on 0 % for several hours without downloading the 25 important updates?

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John, if I use your method will I get the chance to de-select one optional update? So Windows Updates doesn't update all optional updates also?

It seems it doesn't work to shut off the computer and restart (I just did that, same thing now: nothing happens).

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ASKER

John, I tried your suggestion from ID: 41719002, but it keeps searching (has done it for over an hour) and nothing happens.

Could it be a virus doing this?

Viruses can have unpredictable results, so certainly you should scan with your own AV and then also with Malwarebytes.

Please try allowing the machine to run overnight. Default setting is to process updates at 3:00am

ASKER

I already scanned more than 24 hours with Microsoft Security Essentials and then with Malwarebytes, and then RogueKiller and TDSSKiller. RogueKiller was the only one that found something, but only suspected, nothing like "Trojan" but only suspected paths in the registry.

I scanned because the browser and whole computer acted strangely, very slow and cursor lagging behind my typing (typical indication on a trojan). But nothing was found. And now it works better.

Now that you have scanned, let updates run overnight.

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jcimarron

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Still the same thing when I woke up this morning: nothing happens, says "Checking for updates" and nothing more.

I haven't tried your suggestion yet jcimarron, might try it today. What if I can't update any longer, wouldn't that for 100 % make my computer infected by viruses?

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I'm not sure it's something wrong with the operative system, because it seems even those with a new Windows 7 have this problem.

I found this:

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-update/windows-7-update-stuck-on-searching-for-updates/925926e9-f25d-4b13-bebb-089790dcbeff?auth=1

ASKER

I'll try the System Update Readiness Tool now.

ASKER

The same thing when I tried this: keeps searching forever.

ASKER

I have some jobs I need to get completed before I go to Dell Support which is nearby where I live. So I need to wait around 1 week. Can I wait with the updates so long without too big risk of getting the computer infected? (There are 25 important updates.)

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nobus

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ASKER

thanks, I will try your suggestion nobus.

I just received this error message:

Windows Update Standalone Installer
Installer encountered an error: 0x800704c7
The operation was canceled by the user.

I'm not sure it's something wrong with the operative system, because it seems even those with a new Windows 7 have this problem.

That is true, but these systems will generally update fine when left to update overnight.

Your system does not do this and other update corrections have not worked.

So consider a Repair Install as outlined above.

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Benjamin Voglar

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jcimarron

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There is one more thing I'm going to try: The internet connection here has changed since I lived here last time; they do something each 12 hour so the internet is down a few minutes. So I will try my USB internet (portable internet) and see if it has anything to do with my updates being blocked somehow by my fixed ISP where I live now. Maybe it works better with my USB internet.

ASKER

Very strange, but now all of a sudden Windows Update began to download all the updates after having had it activated for several hours. Will se how it works in the end though.