Windows keep wanting to update

[realt0r]

Windows updates don't seem to work even if I try to install them manually. Don't get any error message, they just don't install. This goes back to June. I run microsoft fixit program and then updates don't attempt for one or two boots but it does return. Where am I going wrong?

[Beer monkey]

I had a similar problem after updating Windows and i fixed it by using the following method. I couldn't find my os dvd but i managed to delete the pending.xml by starting up in safe mode, then finding the file (C:\Windows\winsxs) Also had to give Administration rights so i could delete it. Give it a go if you're still stuck, hope it helps!


MANUAL FIX TO WINDOWS UPDATE LOOP

1. Insert the Recovery/Install DVD into the computer
2. Boot off of the DVD. When you first start your computer, the first screen you see should give you the key combination to press to enter a 'multi-boot' menu. On Dell's this key is F12 but it varries by each manufacturer. Once you find it and are at the multiboot menu, choose to boot of CD/DVD
3. When prompted (after it has booted to the CD/DVD) choose "repair my computer" and enter the command prompt
4. Type C: (with colon) and press enter
5. Then type cd c:\windows\winsxs and press enter
6. Then type del pending.xml and press enter
7. Restart your computer

That should kill any pending updates.