When does Windows auto Update check for updates?

I know I can set when/how windows automatically downloads and installs
updates; BUT, when/how does windows auto-update CHECK for updates? I've had
a vista system set to Install updates automatically everyday at 3:00am but
since the computer is turned off, when I boot up, the autoupdate is supposed
to run at that time but nothing happens. As a test, I've tried changing the
auto update time for the next hour(s) throughout the day and leaving the
computer on, but nothing happens. I pick the Windows Update program from the
Start menu and window that appears reports the most recent Check for updates
was the last time I manually checked for updates (a month ago). Is there at
least a way to see if in fact Windows had automatically checked for updates?
I see nothing in the Events viewer. If there's an error during Windows
autoupdate Check, where can I find this info?

On a non-domain PC, it's whenever you've set it for but I think it will check
when you boot the PC as well. BTW, I usually set the checking to whenever I
think the PC will be turned on - and not at 3 AM.

In a command prompt, thiis [I think] should force it [check and see in the
task manager after executing it]:

wuauclt.exe /detectnow

"chaos" wrote:

> I know I can set when/how windows automatically downloads and installs
> updates; BUT, when/how does windows auto-update CHECK for updates? I've had
> a vista system set to Install updates automatically everyday at 3:00am but
> since the computer is turned off, when I boot up, the autoupdate is supposed
> to run at that time but nothing happens. As a test, I've tried changing the
> auto update time for the next hour(s) throughout the day and leaving the
> computer on, but nothing happens. I pick the Windows Update program from the
> Start menu and window that appears reports the most recent Check for updates
> was the last time I manually checked for updates (a month ago). Is there at
> least a way to see if in fact Windows had automatically checked for updates?
> I see nothing in the Events viewer. If there's an error during Windows
> autoupdate Check, where can I find this info?

The Windows Update activity is here in Vista's Event logs

Applications and Services Log > Microsoft > Windows >
WindowsUpdateClient > Operational

You can check the WindowsUpdate.log located in the WINDOWS directory
[folder], also.
It shows when system last checked for, when it downloaded and/or
installed updates.


MowGreen [MVP 2003-2008]
===============
*-343-* FDNY
Never Forgotten
===============


chaos wrote:

> I know I can set when/how windows automatically downloads and installs
> updates; BUT, when/how does windows auto-update CHECK for updates? I've had
> a vista system set to Install updates automatically everyday at 3:00am but
> since the computer is turned off, when I boot up, the autoupdate is supposed
> to run at that time but nothing happens. As a test, I've tried changing the
> auto update time for the next hour(s) throughout the day and leaving the
> computer on, but nothing happens. I pick the Windows Update program from the
> Start menu and window that appears reports the most recent Check for updates
> was the last time I manually checked for updates (a month ago). Is there at
> least a way to see if in fact Windows had automatically checked for updates?
> I see nothing in the Events viewer. If there's an error during Windows
> autoupdate Check, where can I find this info?