Re: Windows Update Will Not Update

[crosspost to Windows Update newsgroup]

What anti-virus application or security suite is installed and is your
subscription current? What anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)?
What third-party firewall (if any)?

Has a(another) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on the
computer (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you bought
it)?

=============
How to troubleshoot Windows Update, Microsoft Update, and Windows Server
Update Services installation issues:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/906602

1. See the "Need more help? Tell us what problem you are having" section of
http://support.microsoft.com/ph/6527

2. You cannot install some updates or programs
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/822798

3a. Check your WindowsUpdate.log (%windir%\WindowsUpdate.log) for errors
associated with the download/install.

How to read the WindowsUpdate.log file
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/902093

3b. Compare errors to those listed here:
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/blog...showentry=1122
and/or go to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com > click on Help and Support
link in left pane > Solve problems on your own.
================
How do I reset the Windows Update settings?
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058
================
Windows Update-specific newsgroup:
news://msnews.microsoft.com/microsof....windowsupdate
===========================

Start a free Windows Update support incident request:
https://support.microsoft.com/oas/de...spx?gprid=6527
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since 2002


E-Double wrote:
> On a Windows XP Home, sp3 machine the Windows Updates will not update or
> complete. It looks like it has been a problem for quite a while as there
> are about 43 critical updates that need to be applied. The Automatic
> Updates looks like it tries to install the updates when rebooting, but
> they
> apparently fail. When manually running Windows or Microsoft Updates the
> Critical Updates appear to download fine and begin to install, and once in
> a
> while one will install, but then the process will fail and kick the user
> out
> of the Update process (without trying the remaining updates).
>
> We tried to delete and recreate the Windows\Software Distribution folder
> as
> well as manually try to reinstall Service Pack 3 from the redistributable
> file (ie download the 315 MB WinXP, sp file and install it from the local
> drive). That process also failed and kicks the user out of the process
> after the Inventory process. Some generic Update Failed To Install
> message
> appears.
>
> When looking at the Windows Updates History there does not appear to be
> any
> failed updates in there, only previously successful updates and a single
> incomplete update. Not sure what else to try at this point.
>
> TIA for any help or suggestions on this one.
>
> e.

Hi, Thanks for the reply. I will check on all of those links. I am not sure
if Symantec or McAffe were ever installed - McAffe may have came as a demo as
you said. Originally when the WinUpdates were failing they had AVG Free on
there. We have since uninstalled AVG and it still failed - so we put Avast
Free on there. Malwarebytes (and Defender) are/were on there as well. The
spyware and virus scans seem to come-up clean. We also tried a Windows Error
Check on the disk, and as mentioned tried re-installing WinXP, sp3 from the
local drive.

e.


"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:

> [crosspost to Windows Update newsgroup]
>
> What anti-virus application or security suite is installed and is your
> subscription current? What anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)?
> What third-party firewall (if any)?
>
> Has a(another) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on the
> computer (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you bought
> it)?
>
> =============
> How to troubleshoot Windows Update, Microsoft Update, and Windows Server
> Update Services installation issues:
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/906602
>
> 1. See the "Need more help? Tell us what problem you are having" section of
> http://support.microsoft.com/ph/6527
>
> 2. You cannot install some updates or programs
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/822798
>
> 3a. Check your WindowsUpdate.log (%windir%\WindowsUpdate.log) for errors
> associated with the download/install.
>
> How to read the WindowsUpdate.log file
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/902093
>
> 3b. Compare errors to those listed here:
> http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/blog...showentry=1122
> and/or go to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com > click on Help and Support
> link in left pane > Solve problems on your own.
> ================
> How do I reset the Windows Update settings?
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058
> ================
> Windows Update-specific newsgroup:
> news://msnews.microsoft.com/microsof....windowsupdate
> ===========================
>
> Start a free Windows Update support incident request:
> https://support.microsoft.com/oas/de...spx?gprid=6527
> --
> ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
> MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since 2002
>
>
> E-Double wrote:
> > On a Windows XP Home, sp3 machine the Windows Updates will not update or
> > complete. It looks like it has been a problem for quite a while as there
> > are about 43 critical updates that need to be applied. The Automatic
> > Updates looks like it tries to install the updates when rebooting, but
> > they
> > apparently fail. When manually running Windows or Microsoft Updates the
> > Critical Updates appear to download fine and begin to install, and once in
> > a
> > while one will install, but then the process will fail and kick the user
> > out
> > of the Update process (without trying the remaining updates).
> >
> > We tried to delete and recreate the Windows\Software Distribution folder
> > as
> > well as manually try to reinstall Service Pack 3 from the redistributable
> > file (ie download the 315 MB WinXP, sp file and install it from the local
> > drive). That process also failed and kicks the user out of the process
> > after the Inventory process. Some generic Update Failed To Install
> > message
> > appears.
> >
> > When looking at the Windows Updates History there does not appear to be
> > any
> > failed updates in there, only previously successful updates and a single
> > incomplete update. Not sure what else to try at this point.
> >
> > TIA for any help or suggestions on this one.
> >
> > e.
>
> .
>

> Originally when the WinUpdates were failing they had AVG
> Free on there. We have since uninstalled AVG and it still failed - so we
> put Avast Free on there.

Who is "they"? Are you being paid to work on this computer?

See...

Can I install Microsoft Security Essentials [or any other
anti-virus/anti-spyware application] to clean up my already-infected
computer?
http://social.answers.microsoft.com/...3-efd9a49d9275

That being said...

Open IE to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com, select the CUSTOM option &
scan. Now click on the Update History link in the left-hand menu: What are
the KB numbers and install dates for the last three (3) update which
/successfully/ installed (e.g., KB987654 on 12 Dec-09)?


E-Double wrote:
> Hi, Thanks for the reply. I will check on all of those links. I am not
> sure if Symantec or McAffe were ever installed - McAffe may have came as a
> demo as you said. Originally when the WinUpdates were failing they had
> AVG
> Free on there. We have since uninstalled AVG and it still failed - so we
> put Avast Free on there. Malwarebytes (and Defender) are/were on there as
> well. The spyware and virus scans seem to come-up clean. We also tried a
> Windows Error Check on the disk, and as mentioned tried re-installing
> WinXP, sp3 from the local drive.
>
> "PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:
>> [crosspost to Windows Update newsgroup]
>>
>> What anti-virus application or security suite is installed and is your
>> subscription current? What anti-spyware applications (other than
>> Defender)? What third-party firewall (if any)?
>>
>> Has a(another) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on the
>> computer (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you
>> bought
>> it)?
>>
>> =============
>> How to troubleshoot Windows Update, Microsoft Update, and Windows Server
>> Update Services installation issues:
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/906602
>>
>> 1. See the "Need more help? Tell us what problem you are having" section
>> of
>> http://support.microsoft.com/ph/6527
>>
>> 2. You cannot install some updates or programs
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/822798
>>
>> 3a. Check your WindowsUpdate.log (%windir%\WindowsUpdate.log) for errors
>> associated with the download/install.
>>
>> How to read the WindowsUpdate.log file
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/902093
>>
>> 3b. Compare errors to those listed here:
>> http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/blog...showentry=1122
>> and/or go to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com > click on Help and
>> Support
>> link in left pane > Solve problems on your own.
>> ================
>> How do I reset the Windows Update settings?
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058
>> ================
>> Windows Update-specific newsgroup:
>> news://msnews.microsoft.com/microsof....windowsupdate
>> ===========================
>>
>> Start a free Windows Update support incident request:
>> https://support.microsoft.com/oas/de...spx?gprid=6527
>> --
>> ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
>> MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since 2002
>>
>>
>> E-Double wrote:
>>> On a Windows XP Home, sp3 machine the Windows Updates will not update or
>>> complete. It looks like it has been a problem for quite a while as
>>> there
>>> are about 43 critical updates that need to be applied. The Automatic
>>> Updates looks like it tries to install the updates when rebooting, but
>>> they
>>> apparently fail. When manually running Windows or Microsoft Updates the
>>> Critical Updates appear to download fine and begin to install, and once
>>> in
>>> a
>>> while one will install, but then the process will fail and kick the user
>>> out
>>> of the Update process (without trying the remaining updates).
>>>
>>> We tried to delete and recreate the Windows\Software Distribution folder
>>> as
>>> well as manually try to reinstall Service Pack 3 from the
>>> redistributable
>>> file (ie download the 315 MB WinXP, sp file and install it from the
>>> local
>>> drive). That process also failed and kicks the user out of the process
>>> after the Inventory process. Some generic Update Failed To Install
>>> message
>>> appears.
>>>
>>> When looking at the Windows Updates History there does not appear to be
>>> any
>>> failed updates in there, only previously successful updates and a single
>>> incomplete update. Not sure what else to try at this point.
>>>
>>> TIA for any help or suggestions on this one.
>>>
>>> e.
>>
>> .

These suggestions worked great and fixed my problems - thanks ! I did the
crypto dll unreg and re-reg processes and also a few of the KB articles
including the link to the MS Fix It - Windows Updates Reset util and all is
well now. Thanks again, much appreciated !

e.


"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:

> [crosspost to Windows Update newsgroup]
>
> What anti-virus application or security suite is installed and is your
> subscription current? What anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)?
> What third-party firewall (if any)?
>
> Has a(another) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on the
> computer (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you bought
> it)?
>
> =============
> How to troubleshoot Windows Update, Microsoft Update, and Windows Server
> Update Services installation issues:
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/906602
>
> 1. See the "Need more help? Tell us what problem you are having" section of
> http://support.microsoft.com/ph/6527
>
> 2. You cannot install some updates or programs
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/822798
>
> 3a. Check your WindowsUpdate.log (%windir%\WindowsUpdate.log) for errors
> associated with the download/install.
>
> How to read the WindowsUpdate.log file
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/902093
>
> 3b. Compare errors to those listed here:
> http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/blog...showentry=1122
> and/or go to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com > click on Help and Support
> link in left pane > Solve problems on your own.
> ================
> How do I reset the Windows Update settings?
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058
> ================
> Windows Update-specific newsgroup:
> news://msnews.microsoft.com/microsof....windowsupdate
> ===========================
>
> Start a free Windows Update support incident request:
> https://support.microsoft.com/oas/de...spx?gprid=6527
> --
> ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
> MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since 2002
>
>
> E-Double wrote:
> > On a Windows XP Home, sp3 machine the Windows Updates will not update or
> > complete. It looks like it has been a problem for quite a while as there
> > are about 43 critical updates that need to be applied. The Automatic
> > Updates looks like it tries to install the updates when rebooting, but
> > they
> > apparently fail. When manually running Windows or Microsoft Updates the
> > Critical Updates appear to download fine and begin to install, and once in
> > a
> > while one will install, but then the process will fail and kick the user
> > out
> > of the Update process (without trying the remaining updates).
> >
> > We tried to delete and recreate the Windows\Software Distribution folder
> > as
> > well as manually try to reinstall Service Pack 3 from the redistributable
> > file (ie download the 315 MB WinXP, sp file and install it from the local
> > drive). That process also failed and kicks the user out of the process
> > after the Inventory process. Some generic Update Failed To Install
> > message
> > appears.
> >
> > When looking at the Windows Updates History there does not appear to be
> > any
> > failed updates in there, only previously successful updates and a single
> > incomplete update. Not sure what else to try at this point.
> >
> > TIA for any help or suggestions on this one.
> >
> > e.
>
> .
>

You're welcome & thanks very much for your feedback.


E-Double wrote:
> These suggestions worked great and fixed my problems - thanks ! I did
> the
> crypto dll unreg and re-reg processes and also a few of the KB articles
> including the link to the MS Fix It - Windows Updates Reset util and all
> is
> well now. Thanks again, much appreciated !
>
> e.
>
>
> "PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:
>
>> [crosspost to Windows Update newsgroup]
>>
>> What anti-virus application or security suite is installed and is your
>> subscription current? What anti-spyware applications (other than
>> Defender)? What third-party firewall (if any)?
>>
>> Has a(another) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on the
>> computer (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you
>> bought
>> it)?
>>
>> =============
>> How to troubleshoot Windows Update, Microsoft Update, and Windows Server
>> Update Services installation issues:
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/906602
>>
>> 1. See the "Need more help? Tell us what problem you are having" section
>> of
>> http://support.microsoft.com/ph/6527
>>
>> 2. You cannot install some updates or programs
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/822798
>>
>> 3a. Check your WindowsUpdate.log (%windir%\WindowsUpdate.log) for errors
>> associated with the download/install.
>>
>> How to read the WindowsUpdate.log file
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/902093
>>
>> 3b. Compare errors to those listed here:
>> http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/blog...showentry=1122
>> and/or go to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com > click on Help and
>> Support
>> link in left pane > Solve problems on your own.
>> ================
>> How do I reset the Windows Update settings?
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058
>> ================
>> Windows Update-specific newsgroup:
>> news://msnews.microsoft.com/microsof....windowsupdate
>> ===========================
>>
>> Start a free Windows Update support incident request:
>> https://support.microsoft.com/oas/de...spx?gprid=6527
>> --
>> ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
>> MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since 2002
>>
>>
>> E-Double wrote:
>>> On a Windows XP Home, sp3 machine the Windows Updates will not update or
>>> complete. It looks like it has been a problem for quite a while as
>>> there
>>> are about 43 critical updates that need to be applied. The Automatic
>>> Updates looks like it tries to install the updates when rebooting, but
>>> they
>>> apparently fail. When manually running Windows or Microsoft Updates the
>>> Critical Updates appear to download fine and begin to install, and once
>>> in
>>> a
>>> while one will install, but then the process will fail and kick the user
>>> out
>>> of the Update process (without trying the remaining updates).
>>>
>>> We tried to delete and recreate the Windows\Software Distribution folder
>>> as
>>> well as manually try to reinstall Service Pack 3 from the
>>> redistributable
>>> file (ie download the 315 MB WinXP, sp file and install it from the
>>> local
>>> drive). That process also failed and kicks the user out of the process
>>> after the Inventory process. Some generic Update Failed To Install
>>> message
>>> appears.
>>>
>>> When looking at the Windows Updates History there does not appear to be
>>> any
>>> failed updates in there, only previously successful updates and a single
>>> incomplete update. Not sure what else to try at this point.
>>>
>>> TIA for any help or suggestions on this one.
>>>
>>> e.
>>
>> .