Windows Update Broken? Fix it!
Microsoft has made available an automatic repair which will reset, and repair, the components of Windows Update. This can resolve issues where updates will not install.
To reset the Windows Update components automatically, click the Fix it button or link. Click Run in the File Download dialog box, and then follow the steps in the Fix it wizard.
Note: this Fix it Solution has two modes Default and Aggressive. You should run the Fix it solution in Default mode and determine if it resolves your problem with Windows Update before running it in Aggressive mode.
Note: this wizard may be in English only; however, the automatic fix also works for other language versions of Windows.Note: if you are not on the computer that has the problem, save the Fix it solution to a flash drive or a CD and then run it on the computer that has the problem.
Check whether the Windows Update components are reset. If the Windows Update components are reset, you are finished. If the Windows Update components are not reset, or do not solve your Update problem, you can contact Microsoft support — which is free for security-related issues such as this.
Today’s quote: “Promise only what you can deliver. Then deliver more than you promise.” ~ Unknown
Copyright 2007-2011 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.
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• About Tech Paul
I am a Retired computer & network technician. I used to think the machines were pretty cool. Now I don’t.
They’re anything but.
I regularly posted how-to’s and tricks & tips and general computing advice here starting in 2007. (Use the Search tool to find answers. But be aware, many are rather dated.) Sometimes I answered (your) specific questions in an article if I believed the answer was generally helpful to “everyone”. All the writing you see was my own, typos and all. There always is/was an implied “IMHO” in what you see here.
Note: You are responsible for using this blog and its content. I am in no way liable for any losses caused by user error, viruses and/or other malware, hardware or software failure, or any other conceivable reason.
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Hi Paul my windows update s broken and has been since October 2012 apparently…. I have also tried downloading the Microsoft fixit tool … But it it fails to download due to a “powershell” that won’t download onto my desk top. I am running windows XP home edition 2002 version 3. Please can you help me fix this problem ?? Thank you
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Lynette,
It is vital that you rectify this as soon as possible, and I appreciate your asking me for help. Here’s what I think you need to do: call Microsoft at 1-866-PCSAFETY or 1-866-727-2338 to contact security support. It’s free, as your problem is a security issue.
Please don’t wait.. act today.
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Hey Techpaul I called MS Security support with the same issue and they said there would be a charge of around $100 and they could not fix this issue for free just for the records
SB
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SB,
Ah. I see they have changed the website, and it sounds like Policy as well. Thank you for bringing this to my attention. I’ll look into this further.
Folks may be able to get help fixing their problem (free) by clicking here and starting the ‘self-help’ process.
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Downloaded and tried to use this today to fix my broken Vista SP2 Windows Update, but it did nothing. Didn’t even run.
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john,
Yes. I tried the same thing on an old Vista machine. I believe Microsoft has completely turned off Updates to Vista, as it’s past it’s ‘expiration’. I believe our only real choice is to upgrade to a newer machine/operating system.
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Hi Paul, Yes, I’m coming to the same conclusion here. Trying to get a Vista machine that hasn’t even been switched on for a few years (2008 potentially!) updated at the last minute as a favour for a neighbour, but it seems Windows Update is ‘borked’ and I’ve tried everything I can find online to fix it to no avail. Ah well … looks like a clean install of W7 then …
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john,
Can’t you do an ‘upgrade’ (in place) to 7? I would if I had any license keys left over..
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I tried that too, and that also fell over. I’ll give it one more try, before going ‘clean’. My hope was to get the machine to W10, ideally, but the clock’s ticking….
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Progress! Managed to get Windows 7 installed, by paying very close attention to updating a couple of device drivers I’d missed previously. Windows Update still ‘borked’, but managed to fix that by updating to Internet Exploder 11 and applying KB3102810. Now, just a few hundred updates to catch up on. Can I make it to W10 by midnight tomorrow (always assuming the laptop is hardware compatible, of course) … ?
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John,
Yes you can!
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