windows update just seems to hang while checking.

[virtual6]

I too had (and still have) a Vista system which was about a year behind in updates.
I let Windows Update search for updates for over 8 hours, with no completion or results.
On page 14 of this thread there is a post that mentions other update methods: Autopatcher, and WSUS Offline Update.
I tried Autopatcher, but I can't recommend it. It was able to download and install a few updates, but failed with most other updates. It is not a particularly sophisticated program.
I also installed but did not get around to actually running the WSUS Offline Update. This program appeared to go through considerable effort to determine the correct updates needed by checking the Microsoft catalog, downloading, verifying, etc.
As a last resort, and that's maybe all we have, I would be comfortable running this update process.
For now, I have abandoned any further update effort for this system, I have other things that need doing.

My other Vista system was about two months behind in updates.
Windows Update search for updates took about 8 hours, but it did complete.
The download and install took another 4 hours.
But now, Windows Update is pretty much back to normal speed.

 

[townsbg]

Did you see this?

The answer has already been posted. To make it simpler, just d/l and install these:

For Vista x86:

https://download.microsoft.com/down...A25-7CD2B765F9D6/Windows6.0-KB3145739-x86.msu
https://download.microsoft.com/down...F97-8958670BED55/Windows6.0-KB3109094-x86.msu
https://download.microsoft.com/down...90A-E4B14C73161F/Windows6.0-KB3087039-x86.msu
https://download.microsoft.com/down...B02-B26558BFAF55/Windows6.0-KB3078601-x86.msu
https://download.microsoft.com/down...D82-7C5A99D358F8/Windows6.0-KB3153199-x86.msu

For vista x64:
https://download.microsoft.com/down...01C-C1D47D48D0A2/Windows6.0-KB3109094-x64.msu
https://download.microsoft.com/down...094-1995BEA1CDF6/Windows6.0-KB3087039-x64.msu
https://download.microsoft.com/down...5E9-18A97D3F32D1/Windows6.0-KB3078601-x64.msu
https://download.microsoft.com/down...8FC-447A9C2B6620/Windows6.0-KB3145739-x64.msu
https://download.microsoft.com/down...F46-0AFF1CA686BB/Windows6.0-KB3153199-x64.msu

 

[virtual6]

Did you see this?

Yes I did.
Forum member Mooly tried this "answer" and it didn't work on his one-year-out-of-date system.
Based on that post on page 14, which mentioned the offline (non Windows Update) methods, I didn't think it would work.
The implication was that some other (older) updates were needed in order to make, say, KB3145739, effective.

I may have actually installed KB3145739...I can't remember. If I did, it didn't do anything for me, because I then tried Autopatcher, and then WSUS Offline Update.

 

[lmacri]

Before connecting the restored image to my router I attempted to install the 5 updates SIW2 posted. I had previously saved these to a USB drive. Only one would install, KB3145739, all the rest returned a 'this is not applicable to your system' message. Following a reboot and connecting to the router the update problem remained. CPU pegged at 100%, and all very unresponsive.

As SIW2 noted, there are currently five Windows kernel-mode driver (Win32k.sys) updates listed on Dalai's webpage at Search for Windows Updates takes forever? - A possible solution: KB3078601 (18-Aug-2015); KB3087039 (08-Sep-2015); KB3109094 (07-Dec-2015); KB3145739 (12-Apr-2016); KB3153199 (10-May-2016). I'd suggest users trying this temporary workaround read the instructions in post # 171 and

1. Disable automatic Windows Updates [Windows Update | Change settings | Important updates | Never check for updates (not recommended)] and re-boot before starting. This should stop Windows Update sessions from automatically launching in the background but should not prevent the Windows Update service (wuauserv) from loading at boot-up.
2. Search your installed updates at Control Panel | Programs and Features | View Installed Updates to see if any of those five updates are already installed. Depending on the date of your last successful Windows Update, some of these updates might already be installed on your system. For example, users who managed to successfully install their March 2016 Patch Tuesday updates should only have to pre-install two updates: KB3145739 (12-Apr-2016) and KB3153199 (10-May-2016).
3. Download the standalone update packages (.msu files) for any missing updates and save them to your Windows desktop. Use the Vista (x86) download links on Dalai's webpage for 32-bit Vista; use the Vista (x64) download links for 64-bit Vista.
4. Install any missing updates in order, from oldest (lowest KB) to newest (highest KB), with a re-boot after each update is installed. This will ensure that Win32k.sys is updated in incremental steps [e.g., from v6.0.6002.19462 (KB3078601) to v6.0.6002.19636 (KB3153199)]. To start the installation, double-click the .msu installer on the desktop.

Also note that tomorrow (14-Jun-2016) is Patch Tuesday (i.e., the 2nd Tuesday of the month). I have automatic Windows Updates disabled and I'll be monitoring Dalia's webpage for a few days to see if another recommended update is added to his list and has to be pre-installed before I run a manual Windows Update to install the rest of my June 2016 Patch Tuesday updates.
------------
32-bit Vista Home Premium SP2 * Firefox v47.0 * NIS v21.7.0.11 * MBAM Premium v2.2.1

 

[Mooly]

Thank you Mooly for testing the "answer" using a Vista image from last year.

Of course Vista has a "Never check for updates (not recommended)" setting in the UI. I think there is a way to disable the resulting warnings, but I would have to look that up - however I suspect that your question might be about Windows 10?

I'll try that setting again for curiosity. I had it in the back of my mind that it didn't actually stop the process running in the background and still causing problems.

I'll give that a go later.

 

[Mooly]

Your right, setting to 'Never check for updates' seemed to stop the symptoms from showing which is good to know if I need to revert to Vista. I'll be interested to see how things work out for you folks tomorrow.

 

[Vista1972]

June 2016 - Patch Tuesday Results

Before running today's update, I checked to see if there was another Win32k elevation of privilege update and there was: KB3161664 (I downloaded the standalone file)

Standalone Downloads:

Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (3161664)
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=52877

Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 2 (3161664)
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=52775

I switched this month an updated the desktop first (same procedure):

The desktop:
•After starting the PC, I stopped windows update using the services console.
•I installed KB3161664 standalone update and rebooted the PC
•opened windows update and clicked check for updates for the first time, 13 updates were found in 28 minutes.
•Installed the updates and rebooted. Checked again for updates, same as laptop, none - about 10 minutes.

The Laptop:
•Opened windows update and clicked check for updates (even though it's set to check automatically)
•after 1 hour, I stopped windows update using the services console
•I installed KB3161664 standalone update and rebooted the PC
•opened windows update and clicked check for updates again, 13 updates were found in 24 minutes
•installed the updates and rebooted. Checked again for updates, none - 5 minutes

The Windows 7 PC's (which are nearly identical builds) were even crazier! The first box, I installed the standalone update first and checked manually. 16 updates were found in under two minutes. The other box I check manually from startup and after twenty minutes I stopped and installed the standalone update. Rebooted and checked again. Again,16 updates found in under two minutes.

Both Vista and Windows 7 PC's -- that I didn't install the standalone update first -- had a DtaStor Warning on the last line of the WindowsUpdate log. This one is from my Windows 7 PC:
DtaStor WARNING: Attempted to add URL http://download.windowsupdate.com/d/msdownload/update/others/2016/06/21221573_ce2a3ed8ad03b2fb14f64120717dd820a9ce62d3.cab for file zio+2K0DsvsU9kEgcX3YIKnOYtM= when file has not been previously added to the datastore 2016-06-14 14:00:25:444 492 11c8

 

[Vistaar]

I started a check for updates the very minute that June patches were posted. The check completed 5 hours and 20 minutes later, which is a new slowness record for me - even though there were only 11 updates to check for this time. Not good.

 

[lmacri]

June 2016 - Patch Tuesday Results

Before running today's update, I checked to see if there was another Win32k elevation of privilege update and there was: KB3161664 (I downloaded the standalone file) ...

•I installed KB3161664 standalone update and rebooted the PC
•opened windows update and clicked check for updates for the first time, 13 updates were found in 28 minutes.

Just confirming that Dalai's webpage at Search for Windows Updates takes forever? - A possible solution was updated today and KB3161664 (MS16-073: Description of the security update for kernel mode drivers: June 14, 2016) has been added to the list of Windows kernel-mode driver (Win32k.sys) updates that should be downloaded from the Microsoft Download Center and pre-installed before running the June 2016 Patch Tuesday updates.

The Microsoft Security Bulletin MS16-073 notes that KB3161164 (June 2016) replaces last month's KB3153199 (May 2016) update, and users will also notice that KB3161164 has replaced KB3153199 on Dalai's list of five Win32K.sys updates that should be pre-installed if any are missing in your list of installed updates at Control Panel | Programs and Features | View Installed Updates.
------------
32-bit Vista Home Premium SP2 * Firefox v47.0 * NIS v21.7.0.11 * MBAM Premium v2.2.1

 

[townsbg]

Yet again I had no problems with my 2008 VM, it actually alerted me about updates while I was using it. I haven't tried Vista or 7 yet but it still baffles me why I have more problems with my vista/7 VMs than my 2008 VMs. I wonder if the office suite makes the difference. It is not installed on my 2008 VMs. Thoughts?

 

[lmacri]

...I wonder if the office suite makes the difference. It is not installed on my 2008 VMs. Thoughts?

Hi townsbg:

I don't think that MS Office could be the root cause of your slow Windows Update. Dalai's workaround at Search for Windows Updates takes forever? - A possible solution solved my "Checking for updates..." hang for my June 2016 Patch Tuesday updates, and 2 of the 10 important updates installed by Windows Update were for MS Office (KB3115111 / KB3115194).

I downloaded and manually installed KB3161664 (MS16-073: Description of the security update for kernel mode drivers: June 14, 2016) last night. This was the only Windows kernel-mode driver (Win32k.sys) update missing on my system from Dalai's list of recommended updates since my Vista OS was fully patched as of May 2016. I started a manual Windows Update this morning about 10 min after booting up and "Checking for updates..." finished in about 20 min (compared to 5 - 6 hours for my previous Apr 2016 and May 2016 Patch Tuesday updates). The entire Windows Update session completed in about 40 min.

Here's what the CPU consumption looked like for my June 2016 Patch Tuesday Windows Update with KB3161664 pre-installed, with:

• "Checking for updates..." running for 20 min between the 60 and 40 min marks
• Download and installation of 10 important updates between the 40 and 20 min marks (this month's Malicious Software Removal Tool scan ran for the last 8 mins of the installation phase)
• Re-boot to finish installation (dark grey band) around the 15 min mark

------------
32-bit Vista Home Premium SP2 * Firefox v47.0 * NIS v21.7.0.11 * MBAM Premium v2.2.1

 

[Vista1972]

I don't think that MS Office could be the root cause of your slow Windows Update. Dalai's workaround at Search for Windows Updates takes forever? - A possible solution solved my "Checking for updates..." hang for my June 2016 Patch Tuesday updates, and 2 of the 10 important updates installed by Windows Update were for MS Office (KB3115111 / KB3115194).

Hello Imacri,

Do you know if anyone has figured out WHY the pre-installation of the Windows kernel-mode driver (Win32k.sys) update seems to be the solution for a hanging windows update session? I haven't researched it enough to see if anyone has figured out exactly what it does.

If I don't find an answer before the next PTU's, I may try updating one random update to see if it does the same thing.

 

[townsbg]

Well in my case I didn't have to install that update manually on 2008. Other than office (among other programs) my 2008 VM is similar to my Vista VM. A difference is half a gig more ram because I have recently installed programs on 2008 that use more memory. Even before that half gig increase I still had significantly less time checking for updates on 2008 than Vista. It was minutes compared to hours.

 

[lmacri]

Do you know if anyone has figured out WHY the pre-installation of the Windows kernel-mode driver (Win32k.sys) update seems to be the solution for a hanging windows update session? ...

Hi Vista1972:

No, I have no idea why Dalai's workaround at Search for Windows Updates takes forever? - A possible solution actually works for so many Vista SP2 and Win 7 SP1 users. All he says is that "the following HowTo only tries to make sure that the Update Agent doesn't need to check all updates, so the check for new updates is done faster."

I took a quick look at my C:\Windows\WindowsUpdate.log file today and compared the log entries for my May 2016 (slow) and June 2016 (fast with KB3161664 pre-installed) Patch Tuesday updates. Nothing obvious stood out, except for the huge time gap of several hours (no warnings, no errors) in May 2016 while the Windows Update Agent searched for available updates. See my post # 162 for further details about supersedence chains for expired updates for IE9, MS .NET Framework, etc.

If I don't find an answer before the next PTU's, I may try updating one random update to see if it does the same thing.

I'm also curious about that. I have no definitive proof yet that pre-installation of the monthly Windows kernel-mode driver (Win32K.sys) update is the only KB update that will prevent my "Checking for updates..." hangs.
------------
32-bit Vista Home Premium SP2 * Firefox v47.0 * NIS v21.7.0.11 * MBAM Premium v2.2.1

 

[Vista1972]

No, I have no idea why Dalai's workaround at Search for Windows Updates takes forever? - A possible solution actually works for so many Vista SP2 and Win 7 SP1 users. All he says is that "the following HowTo only tries to make sure that the Update Agent doesn't need to check all updates, so the check for new updates is done faster."

Thanks for the info Imacri...that works for me! If I come across any info to add to the explanation, I'll be sure to post it! Onward to July...ha-ha!

 

[townsbg]

The update check/install wasn't that bad after I installed the listed update manually. However it is still a slower process than before 10 came out.

 

[gordon55y]

Imacri,
My vista Jun 14 update also got stuck, 12 hours stuck at 25% loaded.
I stopped the download and set Never check for updates (not recommended).
I downloaded the 5 KB.msu files from Dalia's webpage.
I tried to find those 5 KB.msu files by going to windows update/view update history
and I could not find them. So I ran them manually (smallest first).
I got this message on the first 4 KBs:
this update does not apply to your system
The KB3161664 installed after 2 tries.
And I ran normal update and got 11 important updates.

On Dalia's webpage he has a KB3138615 win8.1 x86
So, I guess that is not appropriate for vista?
When I try to install it, I get that same message:
this update does not apply to your system

What do you think that "this update does not apply to your system" means?
a. you already have this installed
b. this KB is not appropriate for your system

I ended up visually scanning "view update history" for KBs.
That is really error prone, can I search for a specific KB?

gordon
Vista SP2 32bit

 

[lmacri]

On Dalia's webpage he has a KB3138615 win8.1 x86. So, I guess that is not appropriate for vista?
When I try to install it, I get that same message: this update does not apply to your system
Vista SP2 32bit

Hi gordon55y:

If you tried to install KB3138615 from the second table then note the column headings - these are KB updates for the Windows Update Agent (wuaueng.dll) and only apply to Win 7 and Win 8 machines. Since you have a 32-bit Vista system you are only interested in the five KB updates for the Windows kernel-mode driver (Win32k.sys) in the first table - the correct download links for 32-bit Vista have the column heading Vista x86.

Dalai's instructions at Search for Windows Updates takes forever? - A possible solution assume a certain level of technical expertise and can be a bit confusing. I posted step-by-step instructions today (16-Jun-2016) in m#l's thread Updates not working, it has been searching for updates for hours in the MS Answers forum that should be easier to follow.

I ended up visually scanning "view update history" for KBs. That is really error prone, can I search for a specific KB?

You might also find it's easier to use the Search function at Control Panel | Programs and Features | View Installed Updates to look for installed Windows updates, which is what I recommend in Step 3 of those instructions.



It sounds like you eventually managed to install this month's Win32K.sys update KB3161664 (MS16-073: Description of the security update for kernel mode drivers: June 14, 2016) before running Windows Update to install your June 2016 Patch Tuesday updates. If you aren't certain that you're fully patched try running another Windows Update and see if it finds further updates.
------------
32-bit Vista Home Premium SP2 * Firefox v47.0 * NIS v21.7.0.11 * MBAM Premium v2.2.1

 

[gordon55y]

Imacri,
OK, thanks.
I had tried searching from
Control Panel | Programs and Features | View Installed Updates
I see my error now.
I assumed it worked like a normal search.
It does not.
For instance if I search for the suffix 8601, it will not find KB3078601
If I search for KB307 only, it will find all with that prefix.

And yes, I reran update and got no new updates :-)
I observe that a regular update takes 30 to 60 mins to simply find the updates (not download/install) :-(
Is that normal?
My vista laptop has always been like this.
XP was a minute or so, win7 is a few minutes.

gordon
vista home SP2 32bit

 

[virtual6]

Last evening I ran Windows Update, without first installing June's KB3161664.
May's update search was slow - 8 hours - but my system was a couple months behind.
Subsequent searches were fast, so I ignored the recommendation of manually installing the Win32k.sys update.
Result: my update search completed in a blazing...7+ hours.
Downloading and installing actually proceeded at a normal pace, about 10 minutes.
I think I need to take a different approach for next month.