Windows update scans and scans

I have a laptop which won't finish scanning for updates. I have left it for
as long as 1/2 hour.

Howdy Mr. B,

First, when go to Windows Update website, select the custom option (next time you go to fetch updates).

I'm going to suggest some cleanups first, some research to get your prior failure, and some tips.

If you have Windows XP, these are suggested steps to clean up after a failed Windows Update attempt.

Housekeeping and cleanup steps:
Bring up Windows Explorer / Tools / Folder Options/ select VIEW Tab and look at all of settings listed.

"CHECK" (turn on) Display the contents of system folders.

Under column, Hidden files and folders----choose ( *select* ) Show hidden files and folders.
Next, un-check Hide extensions for known file types.
Next un-check Hide protected operating system files.

Use Windows Explorer. Go to C:\Windows\System32 ( <<-- or \WINNT\System32

If you have a sub-folder called * Catroot2 * (not Catroot) rename the
folder to CR2OLD. Or delete everything in that folder. Just make sure you do the right one.

(to clean up downloaded files for Automatic updates / Windows Update)
From main Windows Start menu, select RUN, type in
CMD <Enter-key>

type in
net stop wuauserv <Enter-key>

Go to Windows Explorer.
Look on your system drive (usually C ) and look at the Windows folder name. Like Windows or WINNT.
Modify following as appropriate.
If your Windows folder is C:\Windows. Look at this folder
C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download

If you find files in there, delete them. That folder is where files are stored from W U downloads.



Other suggestion: In Internet Explorer browser > main menu /Tools/Internet Options >

Security Tab/ click on green icon Trusted Sites/click Sites button.
Click "Require server verification (https for all sites in this zone" to *clear* the selection.

In the "Add this Web site to the zone:" field, add these entries to list of "Trusted Sites" --

type
http://download.windowsupdate.com (click Add)

http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com

http://update.microsoft.com

Click OK. Apply changes. Exit / close your IE browser.

Go back to Windows Update, but then select View update history. (When you first get to website for Microsoft Update-Windows Update, look at left-hand column, under Options. Press "Review your update history".)
If this is on V6 of Windows Update, you should be able to click on that error note (the red X), and see some info.

Post that error code as well, in your reply.


Go back to Command prompt window.
type in
net start wuauserv <Enter-key>

EXIT <Enter-key>


--
Maurice N
MS-MVP Windows (Shell / User), Aumha.net VSOP , DTS-L
-----


"MrB" <> wrote in message news:...
>I have a laptop which won't finish scanning for updates. I have left it for
> as long as 1/2 hour.
>
>

Maurice,
Thank you kindly for your detailed response. I will follow your process and
report back. Interestingly, the computer seems up to date (compared with
another computer). Windows update just doesn't tell me that there are 0
updates for my computer. Thanks again.
MrB
"Maurice N ~ MVP" <> wrote in message
news:...
Howdy Mr. B,

First, when go to Windows Update website, select the custom option (next
time you go to fetch updates).

I'm going to suggest some cleanups first, some research to get your prior
failure, and some tips.

If you have Windows XP, these are suggested steps to clean up after a failed
Windows Update attempt.

Housekeeping and cleanup steps:
Bring up Windows Explorer / Tools / Folder Options/ select VIEW Tab and
look at all of settings listed.

"CHECK" (turn on) Display the contents of system folders.

Under column, Hidden files and folders----choose ( *select* ) Show hidden
files and folders.
Next, un-check Hide extensions for known file types.
Next un-check Hide protected operating system files.

Use Windows Explorer. Go to C:\Windows\System32 ( <<-- or
\WINNT\System32

If you have a sub-folder called * Catroot2 * (not Catroot) rename the
folder to CR2OLD. Or delete everything in that folder. Just make sure you
do the right one.

(to clean up downloaded files for Automatic updates / Windows Update)
From main Windows Start menu, select RUN, type in
CMD <Enter-key>

type in
net stop wuauserv <Enter-key>

Go to Windows Explorer.
Look on your system drive (usually C ) and look at the Windows folder name.
Like Windows or WINNT.
Modify following as appropriate.
If your Windows folder is C:\Windows. Look at this folder
C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download

If you find files in there, delete them. That folder is where files are
stored from W U downloads.



Other suggestion: In Internet Explorer browser > main menu /Tools/Internet
Options >

Security Tab/ click on green icon Trusted Sites/click Sites button.
Click "Require server verification (https for all sites in this zone" to
*clear* the selection.

In the "Add this Web site to the zone:" field, add these entries to list
of "Trusted Sites" --

type
http://download.windowsupdate.com (click Add)

http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com

http://update.microsoft.com

Click OK. Apply changes. Exit / close your IE browser.

Go back to Windows Update, but then select View update history. (When you
first get to website for Microsoft Update-Windows Update, look at left-hand
column, under Options. Press "Review your update history".)
If this is on V6 of Windows Update, you should be able to click on that
error note (the red X), and see some info.

Post that error code as well, in your reply.


Go back to Command prompt window.
type in
net start wuauserv <Enter-key>

EXIT <Enter-key>


--
Maurice N
MS-MVP Windows (Shell / User), Aumha.net VSOP , DTS-L
-----


"MrB" <> wrote in message
news:...
>I have a laptop which won't finish scanning for updates. I have left it for
> as long as 1/2 hour.
>
>