Computer Help, Re:Windows Update

10-17-16 | Lisa

[FreedomOfExpression]

...other than that, get the restore CD and reinstall.

If you don't mind 2 or 3 days of downloading and installing updates afterward. That would be my last resort only after doing research and trying other methods to fix the problem. Everything isn't caused by malware. Sometimes it's just a glitch.

And Linux still isn't quite as user friendly as Windows if you have a problem, since most of the time you have to fire up the terminal and type in the usually unintuitive commands.

[DeltaZulu]

Seriously, if your husband is a great computer guy and all you do is read email and surf the web, then have him install some kind of Linux (probably Ubuntu or one the variants, but there’s lots to choose from). If you absolutely need to run some piece of Windows software spend a lot of time looking for an alternative. Then if you can’t find one, install and run it on WINE (your husband should know what this means). If that is impossible (which would only happen if you have some odd piece of software) then have him install Virtual Box and install Windows 7 or even 10 in a virtual machine.

[867V309]

That would be my last resort only after doing research and trying other methods to fix the problem. Everything isn't caused by malware. Sometimes it's just a glitch.

Obviously. But if you ever tried to research a "glitch" you'd find many numbskull dead ends, much like the liberal media echo chamber.

And remember, if the culprit IS a virus, it's like having an intruder in your house: you will NEVER know exactly what all they've done.

So, if the obvious remedies don't work: reinstall. From a trusted backup if available.

[Perseverando]

I’ve been having some of the same problems for several days also. Windows update shows 5 important updates, but won’t download them. I’ve tried the 3.5 & 5.7 mb updates individually, but they still won’t download.

I’m running Windows 7 and GWX Control Panel to prevent Windows 10 from installing.

It appears Microsoft is intentionally making it more difficult to remain Windows 10 free.

[minnesota_bound]

Thanks for the link.

Does this program download all updates (my case Windows 7) or checks what you already have and download future updates?

Where does it download the files to?

[minnesota_bound]

I found this link that also suggests using the link #10 provided. See Option 3: install System Update Readiness Tool in Windows Vista and 7 at the link below.
https://www.winhelp.us/reinstall-windows-update.html

Turn on automatic updates
Also download WindowsUpdateDiagnostic and Fix It tool 50202 from the link above as I did to fix my issue I had about 2 weeks ago.

The person who put this webpage together was pretty thorough unlike Microsoft.

[Pelham]

Microsoft stopped supporting Vista in 2012

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/10736/windows-what-does-mean-if-windows-not-supported

You might want to see if a Chromebook would suit your needs. You can find them for less than $300.

[Be Careful]

I have had Windows for 20 years (personal and business)....Windows/Microsoft has fallen so far behind...It never has been ‘user-friendly’ nor intuitive...I always thought that Windows was the best for business......but I was wrong.

The Windows 10 update debacle, with it’s security and disruptive upgrade aspects, was finally the last straw for my goodwill.

My Nokia Windows phone is useless in the marketplace and in my own networking...

I decided that I no longer have time to figure out what Microsoft is thinking....

Upon the advice of a trusted and accomplished friend, I just decided to jump 100% to Apple/Mac/iPhone...cold turkey...

(BTW...I am not a troll..ha ha )

BEST THING I EVER HAVE DONE....

Ditch MSFT....(besides...what do you think MSNBC stands for....)

Go Apple.

The transition was painless....although I had to invest a bit of time (much less than I thought...no more than buying a new laptop at Costco and learning that new laptop) in learning a new OS, which is not that much different than MSFT.

The only thing I had to add to my iCloud was a MSFT-based Office Suite so that I could use Outlook, Word, Excel and Powerpoint on my Mac/Apple devices...you buy an Office Suite card at Best Buy and install it....Eezy-Peezy

Do it....you won’t regret it...

I am sorry that I had to take this step, but MSFT let itself get left behind in the consumer aspect of communication.

Rather than having to try to figure out some ridiculous non-intuitive solution to some problem that I do not understand on an “Upgrade” or having to sign up at a Community College for a Microsoft Class to learn about “Whatever”, I can learn what I need to know in less than 60 seconds with Apple’s superior support online, by phone or in-store.

Apple’s support is highly organized and painless.

I could go on and on....but won’t....except to tell you that my spouse, after watching me.....decided to make the Apple Leap as well....and now we are both really much happier.

[Swordmaker]

Ping for windows ping list for help?

[Weirdad]

I am on Vista 64 right now.

I love Vista 64, with full updates it is my favorite OS, and I have 10, 8, 7, two Macs, and Linux boxes — it is a rock solid 64 bit more secure version of WinXP essentially. I am going to hate giving it up for the dumbed down versions 8 and up.

This Vistya 64 box was doing the same thing yours is. Wait forever for updates, nothing happens. Wow, I tried everything to fix it.

Basically I agree with freeper Minnesota_Bound in post 25-26 —> By shutting down WindowsUpdate, deleting the pending update files, restarting WindowsUpdate, and then (unfortunately) setting Windows Update to AUTOMATIC (which I normally do not do), and then being patient for a few days, my system fixed itself.

I could not get it to work until I set it to automatic updates. No amount of work on your end is enough: Microsoft’s update web site will not cooperate with you unless you please it!

It is like Microsoft wants to train you to leave auto updates on all the time just like Win 10. Who would have thought?

I think I could go back to manual updates now but I have not had time to mess with it to know for sure. However I will be very careful to try to only update a little at a time so that I can do system restore if any updates again afflict WindowsUpdate.

Best wishes on it all.

I have a full set of Windows 7 ultimate disks that I want to update to (the handwriting is on the wall for Vista) but I have lost those disks (hopefully temporarily) while moving. I do not want to have to re-build everything on this box so I want to do an in-place upgrade. You should look into Windows 7 disks that match your Vista version, and if the update thing will not work, upgrade to 7 an d that will probably fix it. Be sure to “back up” first though!

[johncatl]

Lot's of good advice here but I think that System Restore is the first step. Your guru can find an article on the web on how to start it from a command line.

I still have a laptop with Vista on it and it still soldiers on configuring routers and doing other mundane tasks with it's packed suite of utilities

A further option might be an upgrade to Windows 7. You can buy it on the web for less than $50 and it is very solid and reliable. Good Luck.

[relictele]

It does check your current state and only gets the new stuff.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Linux on a fresh HD. Vista in a Virtual Box.

Bingo. Sanity and enjoyment all in one box.

[Pollard]

[dayglored]

FReeper tech help for Windows Update ... PING!

You can find all the Windows Ping list threads with FR search: just search on keyword "windowspinglist".

Thanks to Swordmaker for the ping!!

[rarestia]

As Pelham pointed out, Microsoft no longer supports Vista. Sort of...

Microsoft supports Windows Vista Service Pack 2 until April 2017. If you've been adamant about not updating your OS, it's likely that you've missed major updates that might have fixed issues. You can try to download SP2 directly from Microsoft Download. Otherwise, your machine is probably inoperable and you won't receive support direct from Microsoft.

[Karl Spooner]

Last month's Windows 7 update spent 20 hours at 0% progress on my machine

I got the exact same problem. Did you find a way to get the updates, or did you give up?

[AppyPappy]

” It runs Vista “

I found your problem. Vista was the WORST OS ever.

[snarkpup]

I got the exact same problem. Did you find a way to get the updates, or did you give up?

After 20 hours, it finally updated.

[Karl Spooner]

Thanks. I’ll keep trying. I just started week 2. Maybe if I repent for my wrong headed postings, MS will give me a break.