Windows update wont work?

Question

Hi my windows update wont work my last installed update was in 2010. I also cant seem to install anything new of Microsoft's stuff because of errors like there new browser and messenger. I press check for updates and it just loads for a long time then says windows update cannot currently check for updates because the service is not running. I restart my pc and still get this message. I turn automatic updates on to but it just fails to turn on and just repeats the message pop up that i should turn it on. I don't seem to have problems installing anything expect windows related programs. I tried the microsoft debug diagnostic tool and microsoft malicious software removal tool both encounter the same errors of getting to install and failing to start up with errors. I've tried to fix it in the past looking for answers on the microsoft site but nothing really has helped it. If anyone has any idea what i could do to fix it id be more then happy to try it, i was going to try reinstalling windows in case im missing any important updates but got told that can be quiet dangerous for my computer or something.

Answer 1

"i was going to try reinstalling windows in case im missing any important updates but got told that can be quiet dangerous for my computer or something."



Lol, uh...ok...and hearing something that dumb and vague sounding you just believed it?



You may actually have to install windows again, but I assure you...it is not "dangerous" in any way shape or form to your computer. However, if you do not back up all the data and programs you want to keep you'll loose it all, for good. But you should already know and understand that.



First, use CCleaner and see if that helps:



http://www.piriform.com/CCLEANER



If not, see if you have a restore point you can restore from. If that all fails, re-install windows.

Answer 2

Try alex g`s suggestion to see if windows upd is disabled, it should be set to automatic.

If that does not work then run sfc /scannow ( note that there is a space between the c and / ).

Start - all programs - accessories - run. type in sfc /scannow and then click on OK.

Doing this might help you repair damaged files, it takes about 10 minutes and it is best to do a restart afterwards;

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/toolsofthetrade/ht/sfc-scannow.htm

Or, try this;

http://support.microsoft.com/mats/windows_update/

If those do not work then you will have to back up your stuff and do a reinstall, maybe, but that is usually as a last resort.

Windows have a lifecycle after which they become unsupported, even if it is a legal version, worth a check;

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/products/lifecycle

Regards again, Bob.

Answer 3

enter > 'services' into the start search box from the start button menu and run it, scroll to the bottom and right click windows update and choose restart or double click on it and click start

Answer 4

once you attempt to acquire/set up updates, and it fails, there should be an blunders code there. some thing like 0x8C0043E, some thing like that (no longer that, I made that one up). when you've this mistake code, look that up and also you should discover some solutions.

Answer 5

start>run>services.msc



turn on automatic updating