Solved Current tips on updates

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copiman

Member
I just clean installed Vista 32 bit w/ SP2. I know updates today have become an issue. With Windows 7 I have found some things that help. Not familiar with similar things for Vista. Tried Googling and did not seem to get same results. My question is are there any steps that I can take to minimize update issues? For instance the latest update agent (what is the latest update agent? Any KBs for high CPU when performing updates? Or anything else that may help.

I think I may have found the answer to latest update agent. Is it 7.6.7600.256 (KB949104)?
 

My Computer

System One

Well its been approx. 30 hours and its still checking for updates. Using 100% of CPU and 50% of RAM. Any ideas on how to get updates installed?
 

My Computer

System One

Hi copiman:

The Windows Update Agent (WUA) at C:\Windows\system32\wuaueng.dll on my 32-bit Vista system is currently v7.6.7600.256 and hasn't been updated since June 2012. I'm not aware of any newer version that is compatible with Vista, and I would recommend that you update to v7.6.7600.256 of the WUA if you have an older version.

See post #150 of SousaJAY's thread windows update just seems to hang while checking for one possible workaround to your problem. The webpage Search for Windows Updates takes forever? - A possible solution includes links to recommended Windows kernel-mode driver (Win32k.sys) updates that should be downloaded from the Microsoft Download Center and installed before running Windows Update. The author of that webpage states:

"This HowTo is valid for Win7 SP1 and Vista SP2, which have been newly installed or haven't been updated for some time. It should also help on systems that were up-to-date last month - just install the missing updates from the list below in this case...

...The term "solution" might be a little bit exaggerated, since 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. Futhermore, it's only a temporary solution; most likely the issue will appear again with the next Patchday."
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32-bit Vista Home Premium SP2 * Firefox v46.0.1 * NIS v21.7.0.11 * 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
    Hard Drives
    Toshiba 256 GB KBG40ZNS256G NVMe SSD
    Other Info
    Microsoft Defender * Malwarebytes Premium * Firefox
Thank you Imacri. After I read the "Search for windows update takes forever" I was going to try it. I turned off updates in services and when the search stopped I noticed I had updates indicated by the shutdown button. So I shut down and it is installing 50 updates as I type this. If you go to updates from the start menu there are no updates to be installed. Weird!!! I will let the install run its course and see what happens. In the mean time I will read the other info you posted. I do have the latest WUA. Thank you again for your help. I will post any results so the info will be there for others.
 
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My Computer

System One

lmacri said:
Hi copiman:

The Windows Update Agent (WUA) at C:\Windows\system32\wuaueng.dll on my 32-bit Vista system is currently v7.6.7600.256 and hasn't been updated since June 2012. I'm not aware of any newer version that is compatible with Vista, and I would recommend that you update to v7.6.7600.256 of the WUA if you have an older version.

See post #150 of SousaJAY's thread windows update just seems to hang while checking for one possible workaround to your problem. The webpage Search for Windows Updates takes forever? - A possible solution includes links to recommended Windows kernel-mode driver (Win32k.sys) updates that should be downloaded from the Microsoft Download Center and installed before running Windows Update. The author of that webpage states:

"This HowTo is valid for Win7 SP1 and Vista SP2, which have been newly installed or haven't been updated for some time. It should also help on systems that were up-to-date last month - just install the missing updates from the list below in this case...

...The term "solution" might be a little bit exaggerated, since 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. Futhermore, it's only a temporary solution; most likely the issue will appear again with the next Patchday."
------------
32-bit Vista Home Premium SP2 * Firefox v46.0.1 * NIS v21.7.0.11 * MBAM Premium v2.2.1
Click to expand...

Thank you Imacri. You ROCK!. I did as you suggested and went to the Search for Windows Updates takes forever? - A possible solution. Followed the directions however I did not disable "wuauserv" because it would not work if I did. Downloaded and installed all KBs for Vista x86 which took very little time. Checked for updates took maybe 20 minutes and the install of the updates, 230, took less than 2 hours. Thank you again for helping.
 

My Computer

System One

Hi copiman:

Glad to hear these Windows kernel-mode driver (Win32k.sys) updates worked for you, and thanks for the feedback. I've noticed that other Vista users posting in the Microsoft Answers community are starting to report back that this workaround solved their long "Checking for updates..." hangs as well.

This might turn out to be a temporary solution, so check back at the Search for Windows Updates takes forever? - A possible solution webpage a few days after the June 2016 Patch Tuesday updates are posted on 14-Jun-2016 to see if another Win32k.sys update is released next month. I don't know how to contact Dalai, the author of that webpage, but they deserve all the credit for putting these instructions together. I just wish I could figure out why this actually works for so many Win 7 and Vista users! :D
------------
32-bit Vista Home Premium SP2 * Firefox v46.0.1 * NIS v21.7.0.11 * 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
    Hard Drives
    Toshiba 256 GB KBG40ZNS256G NVMe SSD
    Other Info
    Microsoft Defender * Malwarebytes Premium * Firefox
Thank you and I will definitely check their site. I don't get very many Vista machines to fix but I do get 7 machines. I have had a heck of a time with updates after an install on 7. I have one of my machines that I just might wipe and install 7 now that I don't have to fight the updates. Thanks again for your help. Would not been able to do it without it.
 

My Computer

System One

copiman said:
I have one of my machines that I just might wipe and install 7 now that I don't have to fight the updates.
Click to expand...

Just an aside, but you might want to read the 17-May-2016 Microsoft TechNet blog entry Simplifying updates for Windows 7 and 8.1 about a new rollup for Win 7 SP1 that includes all updates as of April 2016, as well as an upcoming change that will see all new non-security updates for Win 7 SP1 (and Win 8.1) combined into single monthly updates.

Kudos to Vista1972 for posting a link to that article in post # 157 of ScousaJAY's thread windows update just seems to hang while checking.
------------
32-bit Vista Home Premium SP2 * Firefox v46.0.1 * NIS v21.7.0.11 * 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
    Hard Drives
    Toshiba 256 GB KBG40ZNS256G NVMe SSD
    Other Info
    Microsoft Defender * Malwarebytes Premium * Firefox
lmacri said:
Just an aside, but you might want to read the 17-May-2016 Microsoft TechNet blog entry Simplifying updates for Windows 7 and 8.1 about a new rollup for Win 7 SP1 that includes all updates as of April 2016, as well as an upcoming change that will see all new non-security updates for Win 7 SP1 (and Win 8.1) combined into single monthly updates.
Click to expand...

Further to my previous post, Woody Leonhard is asking for feedback on his AskWoody.com site at Testing Windows 7 SP2 about whether this new Win 7 "convenience rollup" includes those notorious updates that nag Win 7 users to upgrade to Win 10. This won't be an issue much longer since the free upgrade offer from Win 7 to Win 10 ends on 29-Jul-2016 - see the official announcement at Windows 10 Now on 300 Million Active Devices – Free Upgrade Offer to End Soon.
------------
32-bit Vista Home Premium SP2 * Firefox v46.0.1 * NIS v21.7.0.11 * 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
    Hard Drives
    Toshiba 256 GB KBG40ZNS256G NVMe SSD
    Other Info
    Microsoft Defender * Malwarebytes Premium * Firefox
Imacri. I looked at the Windows 10 Now on 300 Million Active Devices – Free Upgrade Offer to End Soon and I watched the video. He said that if we upgrade before the end of the free version we would get updates for free including the anniversary updates. I have heard the words "free updates before or read it somewhere. Are they saying that updates and/or anniversary updates will be at a cost? I would think not but I am starting to wonder. By the way I am installing 7 as I type and then will do rollup. I will look for 10 update to see if I get them and post.
 

My Computer

System One

copiman said:
Are they saying that updates and/or anniversary updates will be at a cost? I would think not but I am starting to wonder.
Click to expand...

Hi copiman:

My understanding that Win 7/Win 8.1 users have been able to upgrade to Win 10 for free since the official release of Win 10 in July 2015 - see the How-To Geek article How to Upgrade from Windows 7 or 8 to Windows 10 Right Now. Users who upgrade before 29-Jul-2016 will continue to receive free updates for Win 10 until Microsoft ends extended support for this OS on 14-Oct-2025.

After the free upgrade offer expires on 29-Jul-2016 Win 7/Win 8.1 users will have to pay a licensing fee if they want to upgrade to Win 10. I don't know for certain if the Anniversary Update for Win 10 will be released before or after this 29-July-2016 cutoff date - it's currently in beta for users testing the Insider Preview builds and all I've heard is that the official release of the Anniversary Update is expected some time in mid or late July 2016 per the How-To Geek article What's New in Windows 10's Anniversary Update, Coming This Summer.

Many Win 7/Win 8.1 want to keep their current OS and are actually angry that Microsoft is aggressively pushing Win 10 auto-upgrades via Windows Update - see the PCWorld article Windows 7 Users Complain of Unprovoked Windows 10 Auto-Upgrades. Many users have installed programs like Never10 or GWX Control Panel (where GWX stands for "Get Windows 10") to prevent their systems from "accidentally" upgrading during Patch Tuesday updates. Woody Leonhard's InfoWorld article Steve Gibson's Never10 vs. Josh Mayfield's GWX Control Panel compares these two popular Win 10 upgrade blockers.
------------
32-bit Vista Home Premium SP2 * Firefox v46.0.1 * NIS v21.7.0.11 * 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
    Hard Drives
    Toshiba 256 GB KBG40ZNS256G NVMe SSD
    Other Info
    Microsoft Defender * Malwarebytes Premium * Firefox
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