Resolved - Windows Update Stuck/Frozen on "Checking for Updates..."

Good evening friends,
On April 14, 2014, I wrote a complaint to Microsoft on the company's official website under the title, Windows Update stuck/frozen on "Checking for Updates...". This applies to Windows 7 all editions.

My complaint received 117,434 views with 490 direct questions, plus hundreds of other questions asked within other questions. The answers for over a year were pathetic.

Now that we have reached a solution, I will discuss the problem a bit and present the solution.

Why does the problem happen?

The answer is a bit complex, but in summary, the problem is caused by differences in processor types. A oversight by the programmers who allowed Windows Update to consume all memory and processing resources before it could display the list of available updates.

You may notice that on some machines, the Windows installation offered by the manufacturer does NOT cause this problem, while using an ISO from another company or even the original Microsoft will present this issue. This occurs due to a lack of specific refinement for that machine.

One way to solve this is to install 03 (three) updates.

01. KB3153199 always download directly from the Microsoft website. You do not need to register. Choose between 64 or 32-bit versions. The file for 64-bit is 1.6MB.

If the installer stays for more than 03 minutes showing a message that says "searching for updates for this computer," then the temporary files are excessively cluttered. Clean them. My suggestion is to open Run, type %TEMP%, which will open the temporary files folder. Clean everything in there.

This will open a folder. Delete everything that is there. If you are unsure how to open this little screen, there's a very easy shortcut, just hold down the key with the Windows logo and press R.

Now install the KB3153199 update.

If it continues to take a long time on the "searching for updates..." screen, you will need to restart the computer and clear the cache. This procedure should also be done if messages appear saying "this update cannot be installed on this computer."

Restarting the computer is useful.

Note that some computers do not restart completely. Those who have had problems accessing NTFS partitions in Linux know that Windows drives are generally not 'shut down' by the operating system; they usually hibernate or suspend.

After installing this update, restart the computer.
You may need to restart one more time after turning it on (because during the restart, Windows will be inserting the updates), then install.

2. KB3020369 The same rule applies. Download from the Microsoft website, no registration is required. The file should be around 9MB.

Note that Windows may say it doesn't need to restart. Nonsense. Restart.

When it boots up again, install the next update:

3. KB3172605. This update was interesting because it reported an error at the beginning, saying it couldn't be installed on this machine. As if it were a 64-bit version file on a 32-bit computer, or other Windows editions. But simply cleaning temporary files and restarting is enough.

Done.
After installing these 03 (three) updates, just restart the computer. If the last installation is the one where the computer is processing something, then I recommend restarting one more time.

Go to Windows Update, and perform the search. See,

Success!!

Hello dear friends,

This post addresses a common and frustrating issue: Windows Update getting stuck or freezing while displaying the "Checking for Updates..." message. This problem, particularly prevalent in Windows 7, can leave users unable to receive critical security patches and system improvements.

The original article, published on April 14, 2014, detailed a complaint lodged with Microsoft regarding this issue. It garnered significant attention, with over 117,000 views and hundreds of questions, indicating the widespread nature of the problem.

After a considerable period of unsatisfactory responses from Microsoft, a solution has been found and will be presented here.

Understanding the Cause

The root cause of the Windows Update freeze is somewhat complex, but it primarily stems from differences in processor types. A programming oversight allowed the Windows Update process to consume all available memory and processing resources before it could properly display the list of available updates. This can be exacerbated by the specific installation image of Windows used. Factory-installed versions might include machine-specific optimizations that prevent this issue, while generic ISOs (from other companies or even official Microsoft ones) may not.

The Solution: Installing Key Updates

The fix involves manually installing three specific Windows updates. It's crucial to download these directly from the Microsoft website.

Step 1: Prepare and Install KB3153199

1. Download KB3153199: Go to the official Microsoft Download Center and search for KB3153199. Choose the correct version (32-bit or 64-bit) for your system. The 64-bit file is approximately 1.6MB.
2. Clean Temporary Files: If the installation of KB3153199 takes longer than three minutes or shows the "searching for updates" message for an extended period, your temporary files might be corrupted. To clean them:
   • Press the Windows key + R to open the "Run" dialog box.
   • Type %TEMP% and press Enter. This will open the temporary files folder.
   • Select all files and folders within this directory (Ctrl + A) and delete them. Skip any files that are currently in use.
   
3. Install KB3153199: After cleaning temporary files, attempt to install KB3153199 again.
4. Restart: If you encounter errors like "this update cannot be installed on this computer," or if the process is still slow, restart your computer. Some computers might require an additional restart after booting up as Windows integrates the updates.

Step 2: Install KB3020369

1. Download KB3020369: Download this update directly from the Microsoft Download Center. The file size is around 9MB.
2. Install: Install KB3020369.
3. Restart: Even if Windows indicates that a restart is not necessary, it is highly recommended. Perform a full system restart.

Step 3: Install KB3172605

1. Download KB3172605: Download this update from the Microsoft Download Center.
2. Troubleshooting initial errors: This update has been known to sometimes report installation errors, similar to trying to install a 64-bit file on a 32-bit system. If you encounter such an error, repeat the process of cleaning temporary files (as described in Step 1) and restarting your computer before attempting the installation again.
3. Install KB3172605: Install the update.

Final Steps and Verification

1. Final Restart: After successfully installing all three updates, perform a final restart of your computer. If the system seems to be processing something for an extended period upon restart, consider another quick restart.
2. Check Windows Update: Once your computer has fully restarted, navigate to Windows Update and initiate a search for updates.

You should now see a successful update check, as depicted in the image below:

Success! The Windows Update issue should now be resolved, allowing you to download and install necessary updates without further interruption.

Important Note on Restarts: Be aware that some systems, especially those that frequently hibernate or suspend, might not perform a complete shutdown and restart. Ensuring a full reboot is crucial for the update process to complete successfully.