Windows Update not working on Vista Business
Please answer each of the following [admittedly tedious] diagnostic questions in a correspondingly-numbered list in your very next reply (no need to quote this post):
1a. When (approx. date) did you purchase the computer? July 2007
1b. Is it a Vista 32-bit or a Vista 64-bit computer? Vista 32-bit
2. What is the full name of your installed anti-virus application or security suite and when (approx. date) does your current subscription expire? What anti-spyware applications (other than Defender) are installed? What third-party firewall (if any)? McAfee Internet Security (free with Sky Broadband)
3. Has a(nother) Norton application or a McAfee application EVER been installed on the computer since you bought it ? I have always run McAfee on this PC
4. Did a Norton free-trial or a McAfee free-trial [pick one] come preinstalled on the computer when you bought it? (Doesn’t matter if you never used or Activated it.) It came with McAfee free trial
5. Assuming Vista SP2 is installed => Are ALL of the following updates listed in Installed Updates ( not Update History )? [1] – non of the updates listed below are in the Installed Updates
(a) KB2724197 [ or KB2633171 if Vista 32-bit or KB2556532 if Vista 64-bit ], KB2661254 & KB2749655;
(b) KB2744842 [ or KB2722913 ], KB2705219, KB2712808, KB2731847 and possibly KB2736233;
(d) KB2685939, KB2658846, KB2659 262 , KB2660649, KB2676 562 , KB2688338 & KB2690533;
(e) KB2393802 and especially KB971029 .
6. If Windows Vista Service Pack 2 is listed in Installed Updates , when (exact date) was it installed according to Update History (this time)? [2] December 2010
7a. Is Java Version 7 Update 9 (or higher) installed? TEST HERE USING INTERNET EXPLORER ( ONLY! ) => http://java.com/en/download/installed.jsp — outcome: unable to verify if Java is currently installed
7b. Is Adobe Flash Player v11.4.402.287 (or higher) installed? TEST HERE USING INTERNET EXPLORER ( ONLY! ) => http://www.adobe.com/software/flash/about/ — outcome: v 11,6,602,180
8. Is Firefox, Chrome or any other alternate browser installed? Firefox and Chrome are installed
9. Have you ever had occasion to do a Repair Install or a clean install of Windows? No but did a Restore yesterday
Windows Update in Vista Home not working
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Welcome to Microsoft Answers Forum!
You can use the Windows update reset component to reset the Windows update settings on your computer.
From the link below run the “Microsoft Fix-it” to automatically reset the Windows updates components.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058
If you would like to delete the downloaded updates that freeze while installing, you can follow the below steps:
Note: Performing the below steps will delete all the contents of the downloaded updates on your computer and all the pending updates would be downloaded again.
How to rename the SoftwareDistribution folder in Vista —
1. Stop the Windows Update service (make sure you are logged on as an Administrator)
Start button || Control Panel ||System and Maintenance ||Administrative Tools
(Provide the Administrator password or confirmation if prompted to do so.)
Right-click the Windows Update service and click Stop.
2. Click Start, type %windir% in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER.
Locate and rename the SoftwareDistribution folder.
3. Start the Windows Update service
Start button || Control Panel ||System and Maintenance ||Administrative Tools
(Provide the Administrator password or confirmation if prompted to do so.)
Right-click the Windows Update service and click Start.
This procedure will erase your history on the Windows Update Site. Not important.
Reboot — without rebooting, the new folder cannot be successfully created.
You can check which updates are installed on your computer by –
Start button || Control Panel || Programs
Under Programs and Features — click View installed updates.
Try this and let us know if it works.
Thanks,
Irfan H, Microsoft Answers Support Engineer. Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.
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Thanks for taking my issue.
When I run the Microsoft Fix-it program, I receive the message » Service «Background Intelligent Transfer Service» (BITS) could not be stopped. Verify that you have sufficient privileges to stop the system.
The program only allows me to cancel the program. I’m the only user on my pc and believe I have admin privileges. Is there a way to satisfy the message to allow the program to continue?
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Since my last reply, I took the following additional steps.
I was successful at running the MS Fixit program. I tried to run Update but the download indicator stays at 0%
I renamed the Software Distribution folder, rebooted, and tried the Update program again. The program indicates it found 12 updates to install. I clicked the Install button but the download % stays at 0%. I have no issues with dowloading data from any other source, just Windows Update.
What you you recommend as next steps to try to fix this issue?
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1. I had difficult times in installing the Microsoft Vista Windows Update that was released few days ago. After the recent updates three always failed (code error 646) to install when ever Windows Automatic Update runs. And then windows update will display annoying alerts in System tray all the time (ready to install) and then the same thing all over again,the sytem will failed to update.
Here are the simple steps to be followed to install the update manually and correct this annoying problem
- Launch Internet Explorer browser (Firefox or crhome does not work as we need to validate Windows) and point the browser to http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/default.aspx(Microsoft download center).
- Just type the update code that you are having problems with in the search tab above in the page, for example (KB969679) click on the search all download center and then when the update is found Validate your Windows Vista operating system and download the installable manually you can either run it or save to install it at a later time but i recommend to install it right away by choosing run then accept the Microsoft license agreements and wait for the installation to be complete.
- you can install as many updates your computer needs manually with this method
when you installed all the updates that you were having problems with Log off from Internet
Restart the computer
Then run the windows update and you will be surprised that your problems are solved. (system up to date!)
Enjoy your weekend 🙂
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Windows Update on Vista in not working.
I have Windows Vista. Windows Update is not working. I receive a message that I don’t have the service. I have Cable One Services. Any suggestions?
I am currently using Microsoft Fix it. It says it is resolving the issue for over a hour already. Does anyone know how to fix this problem?
Also. Please give this a try.
Go into Control Panel >> click on Windows Update item
Click on Change settings (at top left)
under Important updates, click on the down-arrow pull-down
Click on Never check for updates
Close the Control Panel window
Then Logoff and restart Windows fresh.
When ready, go back into Control Panel >> click on Windows Update item
Click on Change settings (at top left)
under Important updates, click on the down-arrow pull-down
Now make the selection that you need for automatic updates
press OK when done
Close the Control Panel window
Next, do a fresh visit to Windows Update. Kindly advise on results.
If this solves the original issue, kindly click on the MARK It (at bottom) link.
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Please answer each of the following [admittedly tedious] diagnostic questions in a correspondingly-numbered list in your very next reply (no need to quote this post):
1a. When (approx. date) did you purchase the computer?
1b. Is it a Vista 32-bit or a Vista 64-bit computer? See.
2. What is the full name of your installed anti-virus application or security suite and when (approx. date) does your current subscription expire? What anti-spyware applications (other than Defender) are installed? What third-party firewall (if any)?
3. Has a(nother) Norton application or a McAfee application EVER been installed on the computer since you bought it?
4. Did a Norton free-trial or a McAfee free-trial [pick one] come preinstalled on the computer when you bought it? (Doesn’t matter if you never used or Activated it.)
5. Assuming Vista SP2 is installed => Are ALL of the following updates listed in Installed Updates (not Update History)? [1]
(a) KB2724197 [or KB2633171 if Vista 32-bit or KB2556532 if Vista 64-bit], KB2661254 & KB2749655;
(b) KB2744842 [or KB2722913], KB2705219, KB2712808, KB2731847 and possibly KB2736233;
(d) KB2685939, KB2658846, KB2659262, KB2660649, KB2676562, KB2688338 & KB2690533;
(e) KB2393802 and especially KB971029.
6. If Windows Vista Service Pack 2 is listed in Installed Updates, when (exact date) was it installed according to Update History (this time)? [2]
7a. Is Java Version 7 Update 9 (or higher) installed? TEST HERE USING INTERNET EXPLORER (ONLY!) => http://java.com/en/download/installed.jsp
7b. Is Adobe Flash Player v11.4.402.287 (or higher) installed? TEST HERE USING INTERNET EXPLORER (ONLY!) => http://www.adobe.com/software/flash/about/
8. Is Firefox, Chrome or any other alternate browser installed?
9. Have you ever had occasion to do a Repair Install or a clean install of Windows?
10. Are you in the habit of using «Registry cleaners» (e.g., Registry Mechanic; System Mechanic; RegCure; RegClean Pro; Advanced SystemCare; Registry Booster; McAfee QuickClean; AVG PC TuneUp; Norton Registry Cleaner; PCTools Optimiser; SpeedUpMyPC; PC Doctor; TuneUp Utilities; WinMaximizer; WinSweeper; Comodo System Cleaner; Advanced System Optimizer; CCleaner Registry Cleaner)?
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[1] Start | Control Panel | Programs and Features | View installed updates (in left-hand menu)
Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
Microsoft MVP (Windows Client) since October 2002