Windows updates are often completed fast and without incident, since the system can install an update on its own, and the operating system is kept up to date without the need for human intervention or annoyance.
However, user settings or other difficulties with the system might occasionally prevent this operation from working as it should. According to users, this is a rather prevalent condition that affects people.
Updating your devices is critical, and when you are unable to update Windows 7 to a later version or upgrade any of your apps, it may be quite aggravating. Disable your antivirus When it comes to updating your system, one of the most useful solutions to fix issues and errors is to turn off your antivirus software.
If you are facing the Windows 7 Won’t Update error on your PC, it can get really annoying. I’ve been there and this is what we’ll be discussing in this article.
Solutions to fix Windows 7 won’t update
- Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter
- Restart Windows Update Service
- Tweak the Windows registry
- Free Disk space
- Optimize your system and make it work more efficiently
- Use a VPN client
- Try a Data recovery tool
- Install the updates for your system manually
- Check if you have Internet Explorer 11 and .NET 4.7
- Try to update after a clean boot
- DisableWindows Firewall
- Modify Security Permissions of the SoftwareDistribution Folder
- Download and install new updates manually
- Run the Troubleshooter
- Restart the BITS service
Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter
The Windows Update troubleshooter discovers and attempts to resolve issues with Windows Update. To launch the troubleshooter, click the Start button in the lower-left corner of your screen and input “troubleshoot.”
- In the search results, choose Troubleshooting.
- Click Troubleshoot Windows Update Issues.
- Next, click the button.
- Wait for the detection procedure to finish.
- If you notice any issues or difficulties, use the troubleshooter’s on-screen instructions to resolve them.
Restart Windows Update Service
Because of damaged Windows Update components on your machine, Windows Update may not be operating properly. To remedy this issue, you need to reset the following components:
Then, in the bottom left corner of your screen, press the Start button and type “cmd.”
Select Run as administrator from the context menu when you right-click cmd.exe.
Type the following commands into Command Prompt and click Enter on your keyboard after each:
net stop bits
net stop wuauserv
net stop appidsvc
net stop cryptsvc
Type the following commands in Command Prompt and hit Enter after entering each one:
ren %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
ren %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 catroot2.old
Enter the following commands into Command Prompt and hit Enter after each:
net start bits
net start wuauserv
net start appidsvc
net start cryptsvc
Tweak the Windows registry
- Write in the Registry Editor.
- Stick to the path: HKEY USERS\\.DEFAULT\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Explorer\\ Shell Folders for Users
- Check that the value of AppData is set to percent USERPROFILE percent AppDataRoaming.
- If not, change it to this value.
- Close the application and retry the OS update.
Free Disk space
- Look for the Disk cleaning application and launch it.
- Then select the drive to be cleaned and clickOK.
- Follow the scan and remove any files that can be eliminated in order to clear up space.
Optimize your system and make it work more efficiently
Optimize your system right away! If you don’t want to physically analyze your computer and fight to uncover issues that are slowing it down, you may utilize the optimization tools provided below. The Windows Update troubleshooter detects and tries to fix problems with Windows Update.
Use a VPN client
VPNs can come in handy when you are in need of some tool to manage your online privacy and infiltration. Cookies and other online trackers can be used not only by social networking platforms and other websites but also by your Internet Service Provider and the government. Even if you use the most secure web browser settings, you might still be monitored by applications that are linked to the internet.
Furthermore, due to slower connection speeds, privacy-focused browsers such as Tor are not an ideal solution. Private Internet Access is the greatest solution for ultimate privacy – stay anonymous and safe online.
Try a Data recovery tool
One alternative for recovering your files is to use data recovery software. When you delete a file, it does not just disappear; it stays on your system as long as no new data is stored on top of it.
Data Recovery Pro is recovery software that searches your hard drive for functional copies of lost items. You can avoid losing important papers, schoolwork, personal photos, and other things by utilizing the program.
Install the updates for your system manually
If Windows Update did not download and install the update for you, you can do it manually. Here’s how to go about it:
- Click on the Start button, which is located at the lower left part of your screen. Here, you will have to enter “information.”
- Navigate to the System Information page in the window.
- Make a note of the System Type value in the System Information window.
- Click View update history on Windows Update.
- Make a note of the code for the updates that did not install.
- Navigate to the Microsoft Update Catalog. Then look for the update that didn’t install.
- Locate the update that corresponds to your system type in the search results (x86-, x64- or ARM64-based). Then, next to that update, click download.
- To download the update, click the link in the new window.
- Open the file that you just downloaded.
- To install the update, open the file you just downloaded and follow the on-screen instructions.
Check if you have Internet Explorer 11 and .NET 4.7
- Go to DownloadMicrosoft.NET Framework 4.7 and click the red Download button to begin downloading the most recent version of.NET Framework.
- Once downloaded, find the downloaded file and install it by following the on-screen instructions. Also, when installing the.NET framework, make sure you have consistent internet connectivity.
- It is now time to enable/validate the freshly installed.NET 4.7 frameworks.
- To launch the Control Panel, type Control or Control Panel in the Run command box or Windows search bar and click Enter.
- From the list of All Control Panel Items, choose Programs and Features. To make it simpler to find an item, you may change the size of the icons by clicking on the View by option.
- Click the Turn Windows feature on or off button in the next window (present on the left.)
- Examine the.NET 4.7 item to see if the functionality is enabled. If it isn’t, activate it by clicking the checkbox next to it. To save the changes and quit, clickOK.
However, if.NET 4.7 was already enabled, we would need to repair/fix it, which is an easy operation. To repair the tool, first, deactivate the.NET framework by unchecking the box next to it, and then restarting the computer.
Try to update after a clean boot
Aside from difficulties with the Windows Update service itself, it is also conceivable that one of the numerous third-party apps you have installed on your computer is interfering with the update process.
If this is the case, you can try installing the update after performing a clean boot, which loads just the necessary services and drivers.
- Launch the system configuration tool by entering msconfig in the Run command box or search bar and clicking Enter.
- Go to the msconfig window’s Services tab and check the box next to Hide all Microsoft Services.
- Finally, select the Disable All option to turn off all remaining third-party services.
- Return to the Startup tab and repeat.
- Select Apply, followed by OK. Restart your computer and then attempt to download the latest update. If the update was successfully installed, reopen the system configuration tool and re-enable all services. Similarly, activate all startup services and restart your computer to resume regular booting.
Disable Windows Firewall
Sometimes the Windows Firewall stops the new update files from being downloaded, and some customers have reported that temporarily removing the Windows Firewall solved the problem.
- Navigate to the Control Panel and choose Windows Defender Firewall.
- Select Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off from the left pane of the following window.
- Finally, under both Private and Public Network Settings, choose the radio box next to Turn off Windows Defender Firewall (not advised). To save and depart, click OK.
- Disable any third-party antivirus/firewall software you may be using before attempting to get the updates.
Modify Security Permissions of the Software Distribution Folder.
You will also not be able to receive Windows 7 updates if the Windows Update service fails to write the information from the.log file located at C:WINDOWSWindowsUpdate.log to the SoftwareDistribution folder. This inability to report data can be remedied by granting the user Full Control of the SoftwareDistribution folder.
- Launch Windows File Explorer (or My PC in previous versions of Windows) by double-clicking on its desktop shortcut or by using the Windows key + E hotkey combination.
- Go to the following path: C: Windows and look for the SoftwareDistribution folder.
- Right-click the SoftwareDistribution folder and select Properties from the context menu that appears, or pick the folder and press Alt + Enter.
- Navigate to the Security tab of the SoftwareDistribution Properties window and choose the Advanced button.
- Enter your username in the textbox labeled ‘Enter the object name to choose’, or click the Advanced option and then enter your login.
- Click Check Names (your username will be confirmed in a few seconds, and you will be requested to enter your password if you have one) and then OK.
- Right-click the SoftwareDistribution folder once more and choose Properties.
- Under the Security tab, select Edit.
- First, choose the user name or user group by clicking on it, and then check the box under the Allow column under Full Control.
Download and install new updates manually
Finally, if none of the aforementioned alternatives worked, it is time to take matters into your own hands and manually install the latest OS updates. If the Windows Update service has to be upgraded, it may fail to download the most recent updates.
- Depending on your system architecture, Download the Windows 7 Update for x64-based Systems (KB3020369)
- Open Control Panel (type control into the Run command box and hit OK) and select System and Security.
- Select Windows Update, then Change Settings.
- Select ‘Never Check For Updates (Not Recommended)’ from the Important Updates drop-down menu.
- To save the changes and restart the computer, click the OKbutton.
- When your computer restarts, navigate to the Downloads folder and double-click on the KB3020369 file you downloaded in the previous step. To install the servicing stack, follow all of the on-screen prompts.
- The July 2016 update for Windows 7 is now ready to be installed. Download and install the relevant file based on your system architecture.
- Now, click Check for updates, and you should have no problem downloading or installing updates using the Windows Update application.
Run the Troubleshooter
- Navigate to the Control Panel.
- Then, proceed to Troubleshoot and Update Troubleshooter.
- Check to see if any difficulties or solutions to the problem have been discovered.
Restart the BITS service
- To open the Start menu, click Start, and then select Control Panel from the Administrative Tools folder.
- Then look for Administrative tools.
- Services are now available.
- Right-click the Background Intelligent Transfer Service and choose Properties.
- Select Properties.
- Select the General tab, then Startup type.
- Make certain that the Automatic option is selected.
- Check the Start box under Service Status.
- Click the OKbutton.
- To save everything, restart the computer.
Conclusion
In most situations, Windows upgrades went easily and without incident. However, if it is not downloaded properly and the procedure becomes stuck on the Checking for updates stage or stops operating completely, you will be unable to achieve your goal.
The only guaranteed answer to the question of what is causing such an issue is that malware is not to blame when the system is unable to upgrade your Windows 7 OS. You may need to troubleshoot to identify and resolve the specific issue, or you may need to delete some cache, check the Windows Update service, or add disc space.