When I try to do Windows Updates it always fails?

Question

Windows updates are always downloaded but when I try to install the installation always fails. Any ideas?

Answer 1

I repair computers professionally and I had one today with just this problem. I found a very good utility called dial-a-fix http://wiki.djlizard.net/Dial-a-fix . This basically automates a whole range of possible fixes so you can try everything very quickly. It worked for me today and I will add it to the store of utilities on my USB drive.

Answer 2

There are a variety of reasons why you cannot install the updates.



If you are the system administrator, ensure that Active X is enabled. Follow these steps to enable Active X.



- Select Tools, then Internet Options from the menu at the top of the Internet Explorer window. The Internet Options window will appear.

- Select Security from the list of tabs at the top of the Internet Options window. The Security tab will appear.

- Select the Custom Level button. The Security Settings window will appear.

- Scroll down to the Download signed ActiveX controls entry and select the prompt radio button.

- Scroll down to the Run ActiveX controls and plugins entry and select the enabled radio button.

- Select the OK button to accept the changes

- You may need to reboot for the settings to stick.



Also, as stated above, you may have to disable your security products or add microsoft updates to the trusted zone of your firewall.



Additionally there could be a RAM issue. If you are running too many processes, that can also cause problems.



If you are getting a specific error message when the updates fail, it would help if you can add them to the details section or in a new question. It is possible that you have corrupted operating system files that is blocking the installation of security updates.

Answer 3

Dze - Anti-virus should not have anything to do with this as many people have those ON while doing updates. However, some AV's do cause problems as we all know.



James - The only things that will not download and install from updates are the things that you have to validate, (i.e. IE7, Defender, etc..) other then that, all you need to do it turn Automatic Updates ON and leave it alone for awhile and let it do its thing.



Now for the question that was asked:

Sounds to me that there might be a Service Pack Issue if they DOWNLAOD and will not install.

Make sure that you have the correct service pack.

Also, there IS an issue with some XP machines having problems with the Windows Updates. I will look for the link and ADD to this.

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory/927891.mspx

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927891

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/918165

Answer 4

Go into Services in Control Panel. (Under Admin Tools) make sure the following are running or not set to disabled:

"Automatic Updates", "Help and Support". If they are "disabled", definitely wont work. Also Check the "Backround Intelligent Transfer Service"

Answer 5

Sounds like you don't have a valid copy of windows but a boot-legged copy.. If that's the case. You'll almost never get any windows updates.

Answer 6

are you using an administrator account for the install or a guest account (or something similar)

Answer 7

Ask microsoft to check if your legal

Be warned, they might switch you off!!!!

Answer 8

insure that you are logged in as the administrator.....otherwise it doesnt accept the updates

Answer 9

turn off things like antivirus and popup blockers... u may need to temporarily disable ur firewall to ..