Windows Update locking up my PC

[Svartmetall]

Argh...trying to run Windows Update, go to M$ site, I get as far as clicking on 'Express Updates', it starts attempting to scan for whatever updates it thinks I need, then just sits there and the progress bar on the screen doesn't even start. Windows completely hangs, can't even Ctrl-Alt-Del out of it (although Numlock and Caps Lock keys still toggle on and off), and I have to restart with the power button. Never had any problems running M$ update before, and absolutely NO system settings have been changed since last time I updated.

M$

Any ideas? It's incredibly annoying.

 

[Mojo]

Argh...trying to run Windows Update, go to M$ site, I get as far as clicking on 'Express Updates', it starts attempting to scan for whatever updates it thinks I need, then just sits there and the progress bar on the screen doesn't even start. Windows completely hangs, can't even Ctrl-Alt-Del out of it (although Numlock and Caps Lock keys still toggle on and off), and I have to restart with the power button. Never had any problems running M$ update before, and absolutely NO system settings have been changed since last time I updated.

M$

Any ideas? It's incredibly annoying.

At that point it has already done the scan (and might have even downloaded that installers depending on ur config (ie download and notify etc) try custom install and try 1 update at a time see if it hangs on any update or just 1

 

[Nullifidian]

I had this problem a few days ago. I think its something to do with ms's dodgy scripting (cant remember the exact link). Turned on auto updates thingy from the task bar to "fix" it.

 

[Darzil]

I've been finding it recently happening when you try to force updates when an automatic update has started and isn't working (or is working veeerrrryyy slowly).

My solution has been to turn off automatic updates, then restart, then try downloading the updates again. It's worked every time so far. Can switch the automatic updates back on later.

Darzil

 

[Svartmetall]

I've always had auto update switched off, though (I don't like things happening on my PC unless I'm telling them to)...

 

[Boni]

Tried being really really patient? MS update can take ages on some machines, esp if you havent done it for a while, it could well be waiting for some feedback and timing out etc. Give it at least an hour.

You could try disabling anything that could interfear with updating? E.g. firewalls, guardian programs, anti-virus.

 

[Svartmetall]

Sorted, it was actually just taking about 7 minutes to scan my system. Thanks for the comments guys.