[Fix] Stuck at checking for updates on Windows 7

If you’ve installed fresh Windows 7 with service pack 1 and going update the system with Windows update, you may get stuck at checking for updates step unusually for a long time. This could be an issue of Windows update service. To fix the issue, you have to manually install some patch from Microsoft.
Stuck at checking for updates on Windows 7

In this article, I will show how to fix problem when you get stuck at checking for updates on Windows 7.

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Step-by-step

  1. Determine if your Windows is 32-bit or 64-bit.
    1. On Windows desktop, click Windows icon at bottom left
    2. Right-click Computer
    3. Select Properties

    Open System Properties on Windows 7

  2. You will see version at System type. In this example, I have 64-bit version.
    Check if your Windows system is 32-bit or 64-bit
  3. Open web browser to https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3200747.
    Scroll down to Resolution section and download KB3020369 and KB3172605 as according to your system version.
    Note: You may need to update Internet Explorer to a latest version in order to view this webpage. If you don’t want to update Internet explorer, you can use direct download link at here:

    Manually download Windows update

  4. Next, open Change settings in Windows Update:
    1. On Windows desktop, click Windows icon at bottom left
    2. Select Control Panel
    3. Select System and Security
    4. Click Change settings on the left menu.

    Open Change settings menu in Windows Update

  5. Change Important updates option to Never check for updates and click OK.
    Change setting to 'Never check for updates'
  6. Restart your system.
  7. Install KB3020369. Click OK.
    Note: If you’re trying to install the other update first, you will get an error message.
    Install KB3020369
  8. Click Close when finishes.
    fix-stuck-at-checking-for-updates-on-windows-7-09
  9. Install KB3172605. Click OK.
    Install KB3172605
  10. When finishes, click Restart Now.
    Restart your system after installing Windows update
  11. It may takes a few minutes to update your system.
    Updating your system
  12. After that, open Change settings in Windows Update and change the option back to Install updates automatically or any option you want. And click OK.
    Modify setting in Windows Update
  13. Back to Windows Update, click Check for updates on the left menu.
    Check for Windows updates
  14. Now it only took about 5 minutes to check for updates and you can choose which updates you want install.
    Finished checking for Windows updates

Reference

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