Windows 7 Update Problems

I’ve had problems for a while with Windows Update failing on Windows 7 VMs. The result is that the Windows Update service uses 100% of CPU (or 50% with 4 cores) and completely locks everything else out for minutes at a time, without ever installing anything. I’ve been getting around it by disabling the Windows Update service, but decided I had better get it working. After a bit of hunting around, I found the explanation and a fix that actually works at http://www.askvg.com/fix-windows-7-keeps-checking-for-updates-for-hours/

In case that page disappears, the fix is to install a series of updates by hand. Before installing each one, I found it best to stop (not disable) the Windows Update service.

For 32 bit these are:

• Direct Download Link of KB3050265 Update (32-bit or x86)
• Direct Download Link of KB3065987 Update (32-bit or x86)
• Direct Download Link of KB3102810 Update (32-bit or x86)
• Direct Download Link of KB3135445 Update (32-bit or x86)
• Direct Download Link of KB3138612 Update (32-bit or x86)
• Direct Download Link of KB3161664 Update (32-bit or x86)
• Direct Download Link of KB3020369 Update (32-bit or x86)
• Direct Download Link of KB3172605 Update (32-bit or x86)

and for 64 bit they are:

• Direct Download Link of KB3050265 Update (64-bit or x64)
• Direct Download Link of KB3065987 Update (64-bit or x64)
• Direct Download Link of KB3102810 Update (64-bit or x64)
• Direct Download Link of KB3135445 Update (64-bit or x64)
• Direct Download Link of KB3138612 Update (64-bit or x64)
• Direct Download Link of KB3161664 Update (64-bit or x64)
• Direct Download Link of KB3020369 Update (64-bit or x64)
• Direct Download Link of KB3172605 Update (64-bit or x64)

After that, reboot and Windows Update should start working again.