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25 Comments

  1. Gubi
    August 23, 2016 @ 1:35 pm

    Thanks it worked!

    Reply

  2. Eli-BOT
    October 11, 2016 @ 9:05 am

    I can not find the /WindowsUpdate/ folder. :( If you can help, thanks! :) If not thanks for the post, anyway. :)

    Reply

    • lakonst2012
      October 11, 2016 @ 9:40 am

      Eli-BOT: Have you tried the method 3?

      Reply

    • rebticker
      May 19, 2019 @ 9:09 am

      Export the Windows update "folder" from a good machine and import it into the machine without, Restart and try update again

      Reply

  3. Don Lund
    November 6, 2016 @ 4:09 pm

    Tried both options and did not work.

    In option 3 I could not delete or change the name of the Software Distribution File and it said I needed permission to do so.

    I did this with full Administration rights as I am the only user on this computer.

    Reply

    • Lakonst2013
      November 7, 2016 @ 11:18 am

      Don Lund: Start Windows in Safe Mode and then delete the folder.

      Reply

  4. JWx
    January 2, 2017 @ 5:21 am

    This so worked – it solved the issue of the hanging windows update. Two days of searching and trying, and then finally this. THANKS!

    Reply

  5. tigger
    March 18, 2017 @ 12:59 am

    Method 3 Worked- thanks

    Reply

  6. George
    March 28, 2018 @ 9:08 am

    Method 3 worked for me, thanks

    Reply

  7. Desmond
    August 25, 2018 @ 6:07 pm

    For method 3, do I need to restart the computer after Step 3, point 2? I'm stuck!

    Reply

    • Lakonst2013
      August 27, 2018 @ 11:09 am

      @Desmond: After deleting the "SoftwareDistribution" folder just start the "Windows Update" service and check and install updates.

      Reply

  8. Wesley
    October 31, 2018 @ 4:53 am

    continuously i used to read smaller articles that also clear their motive, and
    that is also happening with this post which I am reading
    here.

    convocational (Kari)

    Reply

  9. KEVIN
    March 10, 2019 @ 3:38 am

    WHAT DO YO KNOW IT WORKED, HO RAU ! METHOD #3, RUNNING WIN 7 PRO 64-BIT. I HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH MY 2ND COMPUTER, BUT NO ERROR CODE, JUST KEPT LOOKING FOR UPDATES TRIED ALL THE SELF HELP'S, NO HELP, WENT TO MS SUPPORT, THEY EVENTUALLY UNINSTALLED WIN 7 AND REINSTALLED, WORKS NOW, WHAT A PAIN IN THE _SS !!
    Thanks Much
    KEVIN

    Reply

  10. Ataberk Sürmel
    June 20, 2019 @ 8:37 pm

    I tried but non of them worked. Please help me. I can not start steam and I can not reach some sites. If anybody can help I would be realy happy.

    Reply

    • Lakonst2013
      June 22, 2019 @ 10:50 am

      Ataberk Sürmel: Follow the instructions in this article and inform me about the results.

      Reply

  11. Nafis
    July 13, 2019 @ 7:50 am

    Method 3'Worked for me,thanks

    Reply

  12. whabligone
    May 12, 2020 @ 5:53 pm

    thanks, method 2 worked. only, there was no WindowsUpdate key, so i created a new key, exit and restart. tried update and it worked.

    Reply

  13. Ryu-Ken
    May 18, 2020 @ 12:31 pm

    Hi it works for number 2, just delete it and reboot.
    Thanks a lot for your help

    Reply

  14. Saif
    September 13, 2020 @ 3:25 pm

    thanks method 3 worked sorry for comment

    Reply

  15. Ar Ohl
    January 16, 2021 @ 2:10 am

    OS – Windows 7 Prem — All 3 methods did not work
    Method 1 – Time and Date are correct

    Method 2 – For whatever reason, my PC don't have the WindowsUpdate Registry folder. This is the same for my Windows 7 Pro PC.

    Method 3 – It created a new SoftwareDistribution folder. Now, I have 2. The new one and the SoftwareDistributionOLD.

    Other ones I've tried:
    1 – Windows+S do not show my Windows Troubleshooter window
    2 – I finally found the Troubleshooter via Control Panel

    Troubleshooter said network connection issue but my Fast.com testing shows good and I've no issue googling.

    3 – I've downloaded other KB's but still no success, even with multiple restarts

    4 – Rerun Troubleshooter again, got same error report and rerun Windows Update but ot Green Flag as to no updates required???

    5 – PC sat for awhile and I noticed the update flag in the bottom corner, Now, I got over 150 important updates.

    Totally weird experiences. My IT guy can't explained it either.

    Reply

  16. Marek
    September 17, 2021 @ 2:31 pm

    ďakujem. pomohlo… :)

    Reply

  17. Balaji K S
    April 19, 2022 @ 12:47 am

    2 method worked for me. Thanks for the valuable input about windows update.

    Reply

  18. Nicole
    August 19, 2022 @ 4:29 am

    Can not delete SOFTWAREDISTRIBUTION. It keep saying "The action can not be completed because the folder or file in it is open in another program. Close the folder or file. What folder and what program?? I closed all windows and only work with one which has the SOFTWAREDISTRIBUTION folder.

    Reply

    • Lakonst2013
      January 20, 2023 @ 12:07 pm

      Restart your PC in Safe Mode and try to delete the folder again.

      Reply

  19. PunarR
    October 9, 2022 @ 2:41 pm

    Method 3 worked!

    Reply

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