Windows 7 update stuck on "Checking for Updates", on new install.

Follow the steps in this article by Rindi... https://www.experts-exchange.com/articles/28629/Windows-7-New-Installation-Windows-Updates-fix-applies-to-windows-2008-Server-R2-too.html

thank you NVIT for helping to share this informative link.
ShutApp Apk

That's Expert... John.

unfortunately, it gets stuck on the updates required to fix the problem.

Now it's "Windows update standalone installer" is "Searching for updates on this computer"

added point:

Although I did activate the OS, (That was last week) it just told me that the activation was invalid.

So, I re-activated the OS, now it is valid.

Would this have made a difference?

It shouldn't.  You can install updates on an un-activated system.

Have you tried manually installing SP1 for Win7?

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/15090/windows-7-install-service-pack-1-sp1

For a week ago I did face a case on a Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 laptop, where it seemed the Updates not be got/done during several-several, maybe 6-8 hours, just all the time "Checking for Updates".

To do/try something to get the problem solved I did following:

A. Opened -> https://www.techsupportall.com/how-to-fix-windows-update-error/
     - performed points 1.-3.
     - skipped points 4.-5. so far, you may want to perform these later on
     - performed points 6.-8. (note, at point 7. skipped the inside points 7.-9. as useless)

B. After restart begun once again the "Checking for Updates"

C. Let the procedure go on a whole overnight

D. After some 12-13 hours  all the Updates were got downloaded and done!

So, now it wasn't got proven, did the procedure A.-C. have at all any impact on this problem!
You may decide for yourself, maybe being patient a whole day-night waiting for the final result, before acting ...

I was loading a Windows 7 machine last week and the same thing happened. I did a search for files modified on the same day I was running the Windows Updates and the search found a lot of files which were the updates being downloaded. The update screen just said searching for updates for hours and hours, but by looking for the modified files for that day and approximate time, I was able to tell that the updates were actually working. It just didn't display that they were downloading.

OK, thanks, peggnet, for the hint.

Just now I have one Windows 7 Automatic Update procedure going on on a laptop already since 3-4 hours, and checked the new modified files, but sorry, no fresh actual new modified update files/folders found on it so far ...

But, interesting, Windows Update log was found, from one hour ago, 18:00 hours sharp (GMT+3DST).

Will check it and come back in some 10 hours, let's see the actual overall status then.

Edit: After totally 12 hours wait I stopped the present process still at 0%, and until that no folders/files were seen popping-up on the File Explorer. But, just after ended I found 48 update folders/files there on the SoDi\Download, quite strange, and when checking the Update status of them, all were tried to update, but failing ... This is quite mysterious. Will now begin a next round, first re-booting, and let's see what now happens during the next 12 hours ...

Edit2: OK, on this actual case the Updates were downloaded and installed in ab. 14hours! Will analyze all the results tomorrow or so. Just in case, this thread will get closed, i'll open a new one, telling the actual, maybe "great" findings.

OK, have some additional info on this case, maybe during a week or so.

I could also open another thread for the continuation, because this thread's original case is somehow already over.

Edit: The opened new thread -> https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/28970293/Windows-7-Update-process'-extremely-long-wait-time.html .

OK, the new thread is opened and going on for a while, so, the Force on this isn't needed anymore, Thanks.