windows update just seems to hang while checking.

I was fully patched as of March 2017 and pre-installed three updates this month: the KB4015195 recommended by Dalai at Search for Windows Updates takes forever? - A possible solution, KB4015380 (which now replaces KB3203859 from 08-Nov-2016) and the IE9 cumulative update KB4014661.

Thanks

25 minutes to be notified of 10 updates, one to download and 35 to install with .NET framework and Malicious Software being the bulk of that.
 
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My Computer

System One

  • Operating System
    Vista Home Premium x64
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 546
    CPU
    Sempron LE-1300
    Memory
    2GB DDR SDRAM 800MHZ-2X1GB DIM M
    Graphics Card(s)
    Integrated ATI Radeon HD3200
    Sound Card
    VIA High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 32" HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    320GB NCQ Serial ATA (7200 RPM) w/ 16MB DataBurst Cache
Hi.

I've pre-installed the three updates as suggested above (KB4015195, KB4015380 & KB4014661), but an hour in I can't see that there's been any movement (no downloads in SoftwareDistribution etc.).

I suspect that I'll need to download some Office updates for it to find some, but I'd need some help - the exact KB numbers preferably.

There is just a Powerpoint viewer installed and here are the updates it already has:-

PQRtcD8.jpg


Thanks.
 

My Computer

Okay......

So everything came through without any trouble. I pre-installed KB4014661, KB4015195, and KB4015380. Upon doing that, "Checking for updates..." lasted approximately twenty-two minutes! Coming back with eight "Important"s and two "Optional"s.

Like in post 545, I broke this down into three passes to minimize any potential for problems. I chose the five smallest patches (bytewise), and decided to chance the .NET patch. Everything came through happily. Pass one consisted of...

KB4014984, which seemed to translate out into KB4014561 on my box...
KB4012864
KB4015067
KB4014794
KB4014652
and KB4015383.

My connection is slow, but as far as my own experience goes, I didn't have any difficulties with the KB4014984 .NET rollup, either the download or the installation. Though I do admit that I am a little confused, in the sense that I only got the KB4014561 for .NET 2.0 SP2. But KB4014984 is described as being for .NETs 2.0 SP2, 3.0, 4.5.2, and 4.6. Yet the online article at https://support.microsoft.com/en-us...up-for-the-net-framework-2-0-service-pack-2-4 doesn't appear to mention 3.0 at all?

I appear to have 3.0 and 3.5 folders on my machine. Perhaps Windows Update determined I didn't need patching for those? Were the 3s immune from the vulnerability that's supposed to be patched? Or was KB4014984's description a typo?

Whatever. I don't think it's a big deal. I just don't get why I don't have patches for 2.0 SP2 and the 3s.

For my second pass, "Checking for updates..." lasted almost exactly twenty minutes. For this one, I opted to take the KB4014793. I think it's about 9.7 MB if I recall correctly. Download and install occurred flawlessly. :)

Now in the past, I've avoided the MSRTs. But since Security Essentials has grayed itself out (which I'm not happy about...), I decided to knuckle down and spend a third pass going after this fifty-something MB download. In this third pass, "Checking for updates..." lasted about twenty-one minutes. Which I thought was a little strange (shouldn't it be getting faster?), but......

Though it took time, all came through and ran with no troubles. The tool didn't appear to report anything back as far as I can tell.

It's kind of funny. For the first time, in a very long time, Windows Update answered me with a green shield. Makes me feel a little nostalgic, to be honest.

So at this point, all I've got left now are ten optional patches. Some time in the next week or so, I'll see what happens when I attempt to call those up. If anything noteworthy happens on my end, I'll be posting about it.

Once again, I'd like to thank everyone here for both the help you've provided me, and also just to thank you all in general for the great work and due dilligence that you've all shown during this fiasco. Microsoft, like many big companies, seems to be "banking" on hindering and manipulating their users with a grade of problems that are either too complex or would otherwise take "too long" to hammer out proper. I'm glad to see that there are at least some users out here who are too disciplined to be "had" by this form of...um..."marketing".

I wish I had something of more substance to say. All this has kind of messed with my head. To be honest, I didn't like that my new machine had Vista on it when I first got it, because Vista had such a bad reputation when it first came out. But I soldiered through with it and, in time, I got used to it. As silly as it sounds, the truth is, as I came to do more things with my machine through the years, I sort of came to be proud to be a Vista owner. It became something special. A Windows that was like no other.

And now here the gatekeepers want us to throw it all away. Trying to breadcrumb us to the easiest "solution" of getting ten.

One day, I won't have Vista anymore. But I'm pretty sure that "when" exactly that day comes, is supposed to be my decision to make, and no one else's. I believe, very strongly, in a person's right to customize their machinery in however way they may see fit. And while I understand that security is extremely important, I also believe that there will be times in this life when a person's configuration may include certain "out-of-date" peripherals, either hardware or software. Whatever the reasons are, it's not right for any outside establishment to "muscle" anyone away from a
system they know they want. As long as the user is informed in terms of the risks, it's no one else's business what their machinery is made of, no?

Besides, from what I've been reading at askwoody, it seems like those newer, "better" Windowses haven't been fairing much better in the update wars either. It appears people with these systems are being just as blindsided by attacks and bad patches as everyone else. How is that "more secure", exactly?

There's a really good chance that I'm just in denial about the inevitable right now. I just don't appreciate bully tactics is all.

So...that's all for now. 'Till next time. :)
 

My Computer

SInce Vista will no longer be supported by MIcrosoft, I just want to thank everyone in this thread who helped me. Thanks.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Operating System
    Vista Home Premium x64
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 546
    CPU
    Sempron LE-1300
    Memory
    2GB DDR SDRAM 800MHZ-2X1GB DIM M
    Graphics Card(s)
    Integrated ATI Radeon HD3200
    Sound Card
    VIA High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 32" HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    320GB NCQ Serial ATA (7200 RPM) w/ 16MB DataBurst Cache
KB4014984, which seemed to translate out into KB4014561 on my box......

Though I do admit that I am a little confused, in the sense that I only got the KB4014561 for .NET 2.0 SP2. But KB4014984 is described as being for .NETs 2.0 SP2, 3.0, 4.5.2, and 4.6. Yet the online article at https://support.microsoft.com/en-us...up-for-the-net-framework-2-0-service-pack-2-4 doesn't appear to mention 3.0 at all?

Hi TeknomanSlade:

What MS .NET Framework versions are listed as installed products at Control Panel | Programs | Programs and Features? The .NET Framework v2 won't be listed since it is integrated with Vista and can't be uninstalled from Programs and Features.

Vista SP2 MS NET Framework 4 Installed.png

I checked the list of affected products at CVE-2017-0160 | .NET Remote Code Execution Vulnerability and the .NET Framework v3.5 for Vista SP2 is not vulnerable to this exploit, although it is on other operating systems. If you don't have .NET Framework v4.5.2 or v4.6 installed I assume that KB4014561 (Description of the Security and Quality Rollup for the .NET Framework 2.0 Service Pack 2 for Windows Vista Service Pack 2 and Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2: April 11, 2017) would be the correct update.
-----------
32-bit Vista Home Premium SP2 * Firefox ESR v52.0.2 * NIS v22.9.1.12 * MBAM Premium v2.2.1
 
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My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    32-bit Vista SP2 Home Premium
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion dv6835ca
    CPU
    Intel Core2Duo T5550 @ 1.83 GHz
    Motherboard
    Quanta 30D2 (U2E1)
    Memory
    3 GB RAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Hard Drives
    250 GB SATA Western Digital Scorpio WD2500BEVS 5400 rpm
    Other Info
    Malwarebytes Premium v3.5.1-1.0.365 * Firefox ESR v52.9.0
  • Operating System
    64-bit Win 10 Pro v22H2
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 15 5584
    CPU
    Intel i5-8265U @1.60/1.80 GHz
    Motherboard
    Dell Inc. 07R8NW
    Memory
    8 GB DDR4 SDRAM
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel UHD Graphics 620
    Hard Drives
    Toshiba 256 GB KBG40ZNS256G NVMe SSD
    Other Info
    Microsoft Defender * Malwarebytes Premium * Firefox
Thank you Imacri. I appreciate the research. :)

It's no big, but just FYI, Programs and Features reports .NET 3.5 SP1 over here. I wouldn't've thought to look there for that, so thanks for that. :)
 

My Computer

I've now revised my instructions on page 1 of m#l's thread Updates not working, it has been searching for updates for hours for the April 2017 Patch Tuesday updates. My full list of required speed up patches currently stands at KB3191203 (rel. 11-Oct-2016); KB3205638 (rel. 13-Dec-2016); KB4012583 (rel. 14-Mar-2017); KB4015195 (rel. 11-Apr-2017); KB4015380 (rel. 11-Apr-2017). I've listed KB4014661 (April 2017 cumulative update for IE9) as an optional update since it seems to help reduce "Checking for updates..." hangs on some systems, especially if your system is several month's out-of-date. Download links and step-by-step installation instructions are posted in m#l's thread.
-----------
32-bit Vista Home Premium SP2 * Firefox ESR v52.0.2 * NIS v22.9.1.12 * MBAM Premium v2.2.1
Sorry for a late question but I can't seem to be able to install KB3191203 as it just keeps failing in the installation phase, do you have any idea how to solve this
 

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad
Hi StormNinjaG,

you cannot install KB3191203 after (KB3198234 or KB3204723 or KB4012497 or KB4015195 + KB4012583). Don't worry about it. Any update reporting "not applicable" falls in the "not required" category. The accurate, recent list of required non-IE, non-Office updates is

KB4015195

KB4012583

KB3205638

KB4015380

with KB3191203 split superseded since Patch Day March. Out of KB4012583 and KB3191203, one is redundant.

Regards, VZ
 

My Computer

Hi StormNinjaG,

you cannot install KB3191203 after (KB3198234 or KB3204723 or KB4012497 or KB4015195 + KB4012583). Don't worry about it. Any update reporting "not applicable" falls in the "not required" category. The accurate, recent list of required non-IE, non-Office updates is

KB4015195

KB4012583

KB3205638

KB4015380

with KB3191203 split superseded since Patch Day March. Out of KB4012583 and KB3191203, one is redundant.

Regards, VZ
I don't think I've tried installing all these patches but with KB4012583 the installation failed with an error code of 80070057
 

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad
I don't think I've tried installing all these patches but with KB4012583 the installation failed with an error code of 80070057

Hi StormNinjaG:

An error 0x80070057 that occurs during a Windows Update means ERROR_INVALID_PARAMETER- see the support article KB947821 Fix Windows Update Errors by Using the DISM or System Update Readiness Tool. I know of users who saw this error while running a Windows Update after they stopped or disabled their Windows Update service (wuauserv) or tried to run Windows Update after damaging or corrupting a Windows Update component, but this is the first time I've heard of someone seeing this error while installing a standalone .msu installer. These .msu installers are associated with the Windows Update Standalone Installer (C:\Windows\System32\wusa.exe) and can be installed on computers when the Windows Update service is stopped and/or the computer is disconnected from the internet so I'm not sure why a .msu installer would throw an error 0x80070057. Fortunately, there are still links in that support article to 32-bit and 64-bit Vista SP2 versions of Microsoft's System Update Readiness Tool (SURT) and if you continue to see this error that tool might be able to fix the problem.

For now, try running through all six steps of instructions on page # 1 of m#l's thread Updates not working, it has been searching for updates for hours. If you encounter a problem and the notes at the bottom of the instructions don't help then post back and let me know what happened. Knowing some background information like whether you have a 32-bit or 64-bit Vista SP2 machine, the last time that Windows Update successfully installed updates on your machine, and whether you have Microsoft Office installed would also be helpful.

It's important that you start at STEP # 1 of the instructions and terminate any Windows Update sessions currently running in the background on your system [Windows Update | Change settings | Important updates | Never check for updates (not recommended) and then re-boot - the re-boot is critical] or the .msu installers will get stuck on "Checking for updates...". You only have to run the .msu installers for speed up patches that are currently missing from your system, and be sure to use the download links in Note 2 of the instructions to download fresh copies onto your desktop. If STEP # 3 of the instructions shows that KB3191203 is currently missing from your system but the .msu installer still throws a "The update is not applicable to your computer" error when you run the compatible 32-bit or 64-bit installer then just move on to the next .msu installer - that "not applicable" error should not appear if you install your missing speed up patches in order (i.e., from lowest to highest KB number).
-----------
32-bit Vista Home Premium SP2 * Firefox ESR v52.1 * NS v22.9.1.12 * MBAM Premium v2.2.1
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    32-bit Vista SP2 Home Premium
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion dv6835ca
    CPU
    Intel Core2Duo T5550 @ 1.83 GHz
    Motherboard
    Quanta 30D2 (U2E1)
    Memory
    3 GB RAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Hard Drives
    250 GB SATA Western Digital Scorpio WD2500BEVS 5400 rpm
    Other Info
    Malwarebytes Premium v3.5.1-1.0.365 * Firefox ESR v52.9.0
  • Operating System
    64-bit Win 10 Pro v22H2
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 15 5584
    CPU
    Intel i5-8265U @1.60/1.80 GHz
    Motherboard
    Dell Inc. 07R8NW
    Memory
    8 GB DDR4 SDRAM
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel UHD Graphics 620
    Hard Drives
    Toshiba 256 GB KBG40ZNS256G NVMe SSD
    Other Info
    Microsoft Defender * Malwarebytes Premium * Firefox
Hi StormNinjaG:

An error 0x80070057 that occurs during a Windows Update means ERROR_INVALID_PARAMETER- see the support article KB947821 Fix Windows Update Errors by Using the DISM or System Update Readiness Tool. I know of users who saw this error while running a Windows Update after they stopped or disabled their Windows Update service (wuauserv) or tried to run Windows Update after damaging or corrupting a Windows Update component, but this is the first time I've heard of someone seeing this error while installing a standalone .msu installer. These .msu installers are associated with the Windows Update Standalone Installer (C:\Windows\System32\wusa.exe) and can be installed on computers when the Windows Update service is stopped and/or the computer is disconnected from the internet so I'm not sure why a .msu installer would throw an error 0x80070057. Fortunately, there are still links in that support article to 32-bit and 64-bit Vista SP2 versions of Microsoft's System Update Readiness Tool (SURT) and if you continue to see this error that tool might be able to fix the problem.

For now, try running through all six steps of instructions on page # 1 of m#l's thread Updates not working, it has been searching for updates for hours. If you encounter a problem and the notes at the bottom of the instructions don't help then post back and let me know what happened. Knowing some background information like whether you have a 32-bit or 64-bit Vista SP2 machine, the last time that Windows Update successfully installed updates on your machine, and whether you have Microsoft Office installed would also be helpful.
-----------
For background information I have a 64 bit sp2 vista machine. The standalone msu worked for all the patches except for the ones I said, but IIRC there were some errors downloading security patches since 2015 or so, I can't tell you everything exactly the way it was since I tried running a version of the Fixit tool to fix the problem which not only didn't work but also deleted the update history. I have Microsoft Office 2007. I have all of the patches listed were installed except for KB3191203 and KB4012583 which give back the error 80070057, I don't think I downloaded them in the exact order that was listed though. I'll try running the troubleshooter first and get back to you on that.
 

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad
For background information I have a 64 bit sp2 vista machine. The standalone msu worked for all the patches except for the ones I said, but IIRC there were some errors downloading security patches since 2015 or so, I can't tell you everything exactly the way it was since I tried running a version of the Fixit tool to fix the problem which not only didn't work but also deleted the update history. I have Microsoft Office 2007. I have all of the patches listed were installed except for KB3191203 and KB4012583 which give back the error 80070057, I don't think I downloaded them in the exact order that was listed though. I'll try running the troubleshooter first and get back to you on that.

Hi StormNinjaG:

Resetting your Windows Update components with the old MS FixIT tool will clear your Windows Update history (Windows Update | View update history) but should not affect your list of installed updates (Control Panel | Programs and Features | View Installed Updates). When you complete STEP # 3 of the instructions in m#l's thread Updates not working, it has been searching for updates for hours that should tell you if KB4012583 (along with the other speed up patches recommended in STEP # 2) were successfully installed on your system. There is no need to download and run .msu installers for those speed up patches if they are already installed.

Don't worry about KB3191203. As Volume Z noted, this KB has been superseded by a combination of newer updates and will give you a "the update is not applicable to your computer" error once you start installing the speed up patches out of order.

Volume Z maintains download links for additional speed up patches for MS Office-related products in peggybeggs' thread why has vista stopped automatic updates? that could help speed up Windows Update as well. Search your installed updates to see if KB3178683 (MS Word 2007) and KB3191827 (MS Excel 2007) are missing and need to be pre-installed. If you have the MS Office Compatibility Pack SP3 installed then pre-installing KB3178682 and KB3191830 could also help speed up Windows Update.

One other option you should consider is Torsten Wittrock's WSUS Offline Update tool - see Note 6 of the instructions in m#l's thread. This might be a good solution for you since this tool should still be able to install your missing Vista SP2, IE9 and MS Office 2007 updates even if you have a corrupted Windows Update component.
-----------
32-bit Vista Home Premium SP2 * Firefox ESR v52.1 * NS v22.9.1.12 * MBAM Premium v2.2.1
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    32-bit Vista SP2 Home Premium
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion dv6835ca
    CPU
    Intel Core2Duo T5550 @ 1.83 GHz
    Motherboard
    Quanta 30D2 (U2E1)
    Memory
    3 GB RAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Hard Drives
    250 GB SATA Western Digital Scorpio WD2500BEVS 5400 rpm
    Other Info
    Malwarebytes Premium v3.5.1-1.0.365 * Firefox ESR v52.9.0
  • Operating System
    64-bit Win 10 Pro v22H2
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 15 5584
    CPU
    Intel i5-8265U @1.60/1.80 GHz
    Motherboard
    Dell Inc. 07R8NW
    Memory
    8 GB DDR4 SDRAM
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel UHD Graphics 620
    Hard Drives
    Toshiba 256 GB KBG40ZNS256G NVMe SSD
    Other Info
    Microsoft Defender * Malwarebytes Premium * Firefox
Hi StormNinjaG:

Resetting your Windows Update components with the old MS FixIT tool will clear your Windows Update history (Windows Update | View update history) but should not affect your list of installed updates (Control Panel | Programs and Features | View Installed Updates). When you complete STEP # 3 of the instructions in m#l's thread Updates not working, it has been searching for updates for hours that should tell you if KB4012583 (along with the other speed up patches recommended in STEP # 2) were successfully installed on your system. There is no need to download and run .msu installers for those speed up patches if they are already installed.

Don't worry about KB3191203. As Volume Z noted, this KB has been superseded by a combination of newer updates and will give you a "the update is not applicable to your computer" error once you start installing the speed up patches out of order.

Volume Z maintains download links for additional speed up patches for MS Office-related products in peggybeggs' thread why has vista stopped automatic updates? that could help speed up Windows Update as well. Search your installed updates to see if KB3178683 (MS Word 2007) and KB3191827 (MS Excel 2007) are missing and need to be pre-installed. If you have the MS Office Compatibility Pack SP3 installed then pre-installing KB3178682 and KB3191830 could also help speed up Windows Update.

One other option you should consider is Torsten Wittrock's WSUS Offline Update tool - see Note 6 of the instructions in m#l's thread. This might be a good solution for you since this tool should still be able to install your missing Vista SP2, IE9 and MS Office 2007 updates even if you have a corrupted Windows Update component.
-----------
So I checked and the updates I currently have installed are:

KB4015195

KB3205638

KB4015380

KB4014661

Running the System Update Readiness Tool, gives me no errors( I checked the log and there are no errors either), then I rebooted and tried to install KB4012583 and it says that the installation fails with the error being 80070057. I'll try downloading the rest of the updates for windows office (from Volume Z's list) tommorrow as well as try checking for windows updates overnight to see if I can update and then I'll update this post.
 

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad
My Vista SP2 machine was fully patched as of 11-Apr-2017, and it appears that my MS Office Compatibility Pack SP3 is still causing problems with "Checking for updates..." in May 2017. As an initial test, I ran a manual Windows Update today to see if my MS Office-related updates would install without pre-installing any speed up patches, and no luck - "Checking for updates..." ran for 3 hours before I decided to abort.

I re-booted, pre-installed this month's KB3191835 security update for the MS Office Compatibility Pack SP3 (released 09-May-2017) using the .exe installer <here> from the Microsoft Download Center (i.e., not the .cab file from the Microsoft Update Catalog) and re-ran Windows Update. "Checking for updates..." finished in about 3 minutes and found two additional MS Office updates that were released today - KB2596904 and KB3191895. This entire Windows Update session, including download and installation, completed in under 10 min.

Windows Update History 09 May 2017.png

I was hoping this wouldn't be necessary now that extended support for Vista SP2 has ended, but I'm guessing that other users with MS Office-related products will have to continue to pre-install the applicable MS Office speed up patches listed in Volume Z's post on page 1 of peggybegg's thread why has vista stopped automatic updates? in order to speed up delivery of their MS Office security patches on Patch Tuesdays.
-----------
32-bit Vista Home Premium SP2 * Firefox ESR v52.1.1 * NS Premium v22.9.1.12 * MS Office 2003 Professional SP3
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    32-bit Vista SP2 Home Premium
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion dv6835ca
    CPU
    Intel Core2Duo T5550 @ 1.83 GHz
    Motherboard
    Quanta 30D2 (U2E1)
    Memory
    3 GB RAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Hard Drives
    250 GB SATA Western Digital Scorpio WD2500BEVS 5400 rpm
    Other Info
    Malwarebytes Premium v3.5.1-1.0.365 * Firefox ESR v52.9.0
  • Operating System
    64-bit Win 10 Pro v22H2
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 15 5584
    CPU
    Intel i5-8265U @1.60/1.80 GHz
    Motherboard
    Dell Inc. 07R8NW
    Memory
    8 GB DDR4 SDRAM
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel UHD Graphics 620
    Hard Drives
    Toshiba 256 GB KBG40ZNS256G NVMe SSD
    Other Info
    Microsoft Defender * Malwarebytes Premium * Firefox
...I re-booted, pre-installed this month's KB3191835 security update for the MS Office Compatibility Pack SP3 (released 09-May-2017)... "Checking for updates..." finished in about 3 minutes and found two additional MS Office updates...

I forgot to add that if you use Windows Defender, the latest definition update [currently Definition Update for Windows Defender - KB915597 (Definition 1.243.3.0)] should patch your scan engine to v1.1.13704.0 and protect you from the critical security vulnerability CVE-2017-0290 discussed in the Woody on Windows article Here's how to check if your PC got Microsoft's fix for Windows Defender bug.

My Norton Security automatically disables Windows Defender at boot-up, but I manually launched Windows Defender this morning and ran another Windows Update and it quickly installed the KB915597 patch for the scan engine. Here's what Help | About Windows Defender now shows on my Vista SP2 machine:

Windows Defender Engine Patched CVE-2017-0290 10 May 2017.png
-----------
32-bit Vista Home Premium SP2 * Firefox ESR v52.1.1 * NS Premium v22.9.1.12 * MS Office 2003 Professional SP3
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    32-bit Vista SP2 Home Premium
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion dv6835ca
    CPU
    Intel Core2Duo T5550 @ 1.83 GHz
    Motherboard
    Quanta 30D2 (U2E1)
    Memory
    3 GB RAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Hard Drives
    250 GB SATA Western Digital Scorpio WD2500BEVS 5400 rpm
    Other Info
    Malwarebytes Premium v3.5.1-1.0.365 * Firefox ESR v52.9.0
  • Operating System
    64-bit Win 10 Pro v22H2
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 15 5584
    CPU
    Intel i5-8265U @1.60/1.80 GHz
    Motherboard
    Dell Inc. 07R8NW
    Memory
    8 GB DDR4 SDRAM
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel UHD Graphics 620
    Hard Drives
    Toshiba 256 GB KBG40ZNS256G NVMe SSD
    Other Info
    Microsoft Defender * Malwarebytes Premium * Firefox
I've wondered for months if the update slowness was related to office. I never had any problems finding updates on 2008 which doesn't have office installed.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Windows 8.1 Industry Pro x64
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavillion Elite HPE-250f
    CPU
    Intel i7 860 Quad core 2.8 ghz
    Memory
    8 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD 5770 1 gb ram
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Alienware 25 AW2521HF
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080 &1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    1 TB x2
    Other Info
    https://www.cnet.com/products/hp-pavilion-elite-hpe-250f/
  • Operating System
    Windows 2012 R2 Data center/Linux Mint
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Poweredge T140
    CPU
    i3 9100 3.6GHz, 8M cache, 4C/4T
    Memory
    8GB 2666MT/s DDR4 ECC UDIMM
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    1 TB & 360 GB x2
    Other Info
    https://www.dell.com/en-us/work/shop/productdetailstxn/poweredge-t140?~ck=bt
My Vista SP2 machine was fully patched as of 11-Apr-2017, and it appears that my MS Office Compatibility Pack SP3 is still causing problems with "Checking for updates..." in May 2017....


Just an FYI for users with a clean reinstall of Vista SP2 (i.e., no IE9 or MS Office) that I've revised Note 2 of my instructions on page 1 of m#l's thread Updates not working, it has been searching for updates for hours to include a comment about a .cmd batch file posted on Dalai's website at http://wu.krelay.de/en/ that can be used to automatically install the latest Vista SP2 speed up patches KB3205638, KB4012583, KB4015195 and KB4015380.

Going forward, it appears that Vista SP2 who were fully patched as of April 2017 are going to continue to have problems with Windows Updates on Patch Tuesdays if they have MS Office 2010, MS Office 2007 and/or the MS Office Compatibility Pack SP3 installed. I've outlined two options in post # 419 of KellyB56's thread Windows Vista Update Hangs at "Checking For Updates" (manual installation of speed up patches vs an automated tool like WSUS Offline Update) for keeping Office-related products patched.
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32-bit Vista Home Premium SP2 * Firefox ESR v52.1.2 * NS Premium v22.9.3.13 * MS Office 2003 Professional SP3
 

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System One System Two

  • Operating System
    32-bit Vista SP2 Home Premium
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion dv6835ca
    CPU
    Intel Core2Duo T5550 @ 1.83 GHz
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    Quanta 30D2 (U2E1)
    Memory
    3 GB RAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS
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    Realtek High Definition Audio
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  • Operating System
    64-bit Win 10 Pro v22H2
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    Dell Inspiron 15 5584
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    Dell Inc. 07R8NW
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Hello all,

Been busy as of late, and finally got around to checking for Windows Updates.
Checked Windows Update manually, waited for several hours and had no luck with finding updates.
Checked Windows Update History and it appears the last update was in January of 2017.

Was wondering, what would be the most efficient way to catch up with Windows Updates for a Vista64 bit OS?
(February?, March?, April?)

Any suggestions are appreciated.

Here is a screen for the latest Windows Update History
 

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  • WindowsUpdate.jpg
    WindowsUpdate.jpg
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My Computer

..Checked Windows Update manually, waited for several hours and had no luck with finding updates. Checked Windows Update History and it appears the last update was in January of 2017.

Hi beginner64:

Your screenshot shows that your last few updates installed in January 2017 were actually released in December 2016 (e.g., KB3203621: Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer 9: December 13, 2016) so it looks like you're missing your January 2017 updates as well.

Try the step-by-step instructions on page 1 of m#l's thread Updates not working, it has been searching for updates for hours for a possible workaround. Your screenshot shows that the first speed up patch listed in STEP # 2 (KB3205638) was installed on your computer on 23-Dec-2016 but you will likely find that the remaining KB4012583, KB4015195, KB4015380 and KB4014661 speed up patches are still missing and must be pre-installed to speed up Window Update.

Your screenshot doesn't show any recent updates for MS Office 2010, MS Office 2007 or the MS Office Compatibility Pack SP3 but see Note 6 of those instructions if any of these Office-related products are installed since they can also cause these "Checking for updates..." hangs.

Note 6 also mentions a tool called WSUS Offline Update that can be used to install missing security updates for Vista SP2 and other MS products like MS Office. Using this tool is a two-step process - first run UpdateGenerator.exe, select what updates you'd like to install from the interface (options for Vista SP2 are located on the Legacy Products tab) and download the installers; then run UpdateInstaller.exe (located in the Client folder) to finish the installation.
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32-bit Vista Home Premium SP2 * Firefox ESR v52.1.2 * NS Premium v22.9.3.13 * MS Office 2003 Professional SP3
 
Last edited:

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    32-bit Vista SP2 Home Premium
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion dv6835ca
    CPU
    Intel Core2Duo T5550 @ 1.83 GHz
    Motherboard
    Quanta 30D2 (U2E1)
    Memory
    3 GB RAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Hard Drives
    250 GB SATA Western Digital Scorpio WD2500BEVS 5400 rpm
    Other Info
    Malwarebytes Premium v3.5.1-1.0.365 * Firefox ESR v52.9.0
  • Operating System
    64-bit Win 10 Pro v22H2
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 15 5584
    CPU
    Intel i5-8265U @1.60/1.80 GHz
    Motherboard
    Dell Inc. 07R8NW
    Memory
    8 GB DDR4 SDRAM
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel UHD Graphics 620
    Hard Drives
    Toshiba 256 GB KBG40ZNS256G NVMe SSD
    Other Info
    Microsoft Defender * Malwarebytes Premium * Firefox
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