Automatic updates offers new updates but will not download them

[euston]

Automatic updates offers new updates but will not download them. The little yellow shield icon disappears as soon as I click it to start the download.

I configure automatic updates to notify me but not to automatically download or install them.

Something is broken. Are there any ways to repair automatic updates to restore the proper function?

Owzat! On ya way, back to the pavilion!

 

[linney]

What do you have Windows Updates set to do?

What happens if you manually visit the Windows Update site and update from there?

You can even download updates separately, or as a bunch, via the Microsoft Updates Catalog site, and save the downloads for later or repeated use.

http://catalog.update.microsoft.com/v7/site/Home.aspx

 

[BadBigBen]

1. Update Service (MS site) may be busy, and can take up to 7 days to be cleared again...

2. There may be one or more older updates that may be broken, and then the download will not work...

3. have you tried to go to the update site and download them over the Windows Update there?

check your Windows Update Log...

How to read the Windowsupdate.log file

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/902093

Ben
"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."
How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.
Only ask questions with yes/no answers if you want "yes" or "no"

 

[euston]

Thanks for those thoughts which give me insights about the problem.

I have looked at the WindowsUpdate.log file and the following appears repeatedly: -
DnldMgr * Update is not allowed to download due to regulation.

I have rejected a couple of updates like an Office 2007 update which relates to Live Messenger which has been uninstalled. It still comes up though.

Is there something I can clean out that will free up automatic updates?

Owzat! On ya way, back to the pavilion!

 

[euston]

BTW, the Microsoft Updates Catalog site seems to have a serious flaw. On the search results page, the Previous and Next links do not work. Whoever coded it forgot something. This makes the whole thing pretty useless if the search results go to more than one page.

Nice idea though. Shame about the execution.


Owzat! On ya way, back to the pavilion!

 

[euston]

I take back my remarks about the Windows Update Catalogue search result pages. I need my eyes testing.

Apologies to Microsoft.


Owzat! On ya way, back to the pavilion!

 

[BadBigBen]

If that is the only problem in the WU Log, then no there is nothing to clean that would make updates work again...

I would suggest that you manually update all but a few, and reinstall the Windows Installer, then try the Automatic Update again to see if it cleared out the problem...


Ben
"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."
How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.
Only ask questions with yes/no answers if you want "yes" or "no"

 

[linney]

Have you tried disabling (temporarily) anti virus and other security software such as Windows Defender? Temporally disabling UAC? Temporarily enabling the built-in Administrator and using that to install the update?

Using MsConfig to temporarily stop all startup programs and non-Microsoft services?

Try.....

"Method 1: Rename the Edb.log file"
"Method 4: Reregister DLL files that are associated with Cryptographic Services"
"Method 5: Remove the hidden attribute from %Windir% and from its subfolders"
"Method 6: Set non-driver signing policy to silently succeed"
"Method 10: Empty the software distribution folder"

You cannot install some updates or programs

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/822798/#appliesto

 

[goombawaho]

Delete all the files in the c:\windows\softwaredistribution\download folder. Reboot

Do a START RUN WUAUCLT.EXE /DETECTNOW and see if you get the little shield on the taskbar saying it's downloading updates and then later it should install the updates at the designated time in Control Panel Automatic Updates.

This command asks the windows update to go out and check for updates needed ahead of schedule.

 

[euston]

Time is a great healer and patience is a virtue. Automatic updates are working again.

Thank you all.


Owzat! On ya way, back to the pavilion!

 

[linney]

Was there any solution you found, or are you saying it just came good on its' own?

 

[goombawaho]

So is smashing a non-functioning computer. "Fixes" it every time. Yeah - we demand a summary of cause/effect.