Windows 10: Windows 10 checking for updates taking forever

Only noticed this when already on Creator's Update.

See: windows update - Streamable

Windows Update Troubleshoot didn't solve anything. Any help would be appreciated.

:)

 

Checking for updates, forever

After running the script you suggested the history was cleared, from memory I don't think there were more recent failed updates (ie since August).

If by "manually downloading updates" you mean "Check for updates", yes many times.

No, it's never been set to metered connection, and no difference via ethernet.

Although the update troubleshooter did nothing for this Win10, as I mentioned in my OP it was after looking at a friend's Win7 which had no updates since Jan-2016 that prompted me to look at this one. I also tried the troubleshooter on the Win7, it reported
a couple of faults but didn't fix. It reported "Service registration is missing or corrupt". It seems MS has not published what this means or how to fix it. One thread has about 5000 me-too "people had this question", still unresolved.

Moving on, since my early post today I ticked I turned off the firewall completely, ticked "Defer updates", Checked for updates . After a long time updates arrived and installed. 5 updates for Windows 10 Version 1511 (including a cumulative update), a Malicious
software removal tool, and another Adobe update, 7 in total. Just those, notably not the anniversary update and none for Office. I'd have expected dozens in this time.

As this is the first time since August I've received any Windows updates I've no idea if it was the firewall off, "Defer", or something else that allowed these through.

 

Checking for updates, forever

Windows Defender seems to be updating fine, curiously!

I ran the troubleshooter again and same as before, it couldn't find the problem

Defer feature updates has always been unchecked as you show

I haven't yet tried any of those registry changes, though not sure which one I should be trying(?)

Could this be relevant - I can't access various folders particularly certain 'public' ones. The folder icons are slightly 'greyed out' with what looks like a shortcut arrow. When I click on such a folder I get "Location is not available" + "Access is denied".
It's a problem because I can't even access the old public Documents folder.

I'm reminded of this because I wanted to restore the update history which was backed up by the script you pointed me to, I can access the first 2/3 files be not this one

ren "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\application data\Microsoft\Network\downloader" downloader.old

The 'application data' folder is denied.

Although Windows Update is still showing no updates have been installed (since running the script), if I go to Uninstall the full list is still available. The most recent non MS update listed is Adobe on 16-Nov, the most recent Windows and Office updates
were 9-Aug

 

Hi,

Try this:

Reset Windows Update in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Windows Update Activation Tutorials

 

Hey luarpc, thanks for the reply.

Already tried it. No impact.

 

I've been having this same "problem" for about 3 weeks now. Checking for updates can take anywhere from 5-8 minutes. The build version doesn't matter, and trying to run fixes does not help. My bet is on the path to the MS update server is having issues (at least here in Northeast Pennsylvania).

 

Thanks for the reply, BKnight. Now at least i know i'm not alone.

Let's hope Microsoft fix this, tried almost everything i could think of and nothing changed.

 

You are not alone. I am glad that I have found this post. Thought it was only me.

Very slooooow update even now I have CU.

 

This issue is now fixed. This is what i did.

Downloaded Windows 10 1703 .ISO (remember that it must be the same language and architecture that your current setup is running) > Mounted it and launched setup.exe > Follow instructions and once you reach this menu select "Change what to keep" and make sure the first option is selected next, "Keep personal files and apps". It will now start the in-place upgrade to repair Windows while keeping everything you have installed, etc.

Now everything is okay, Windows checks for updates without taking ages.

 

I found sometimes it takes a long time to check when computer has started various background tasks. If tiworker process is busily hogging GPU and you try a manual update check it can take a while. Best thing is to leave machine alone for an hour or so and let it finish up whatever it's doing - normally after that things are back to quick update checks

 

Applications in the background was not the problem, it was something else. It happened every single time. Also, i tried everything that came to my mind to fix it (clean boot, sfc /scannow, DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth, Windows Troubleshooter, Reset Windows Update Agent, etc) and nothing helped. Maybe something corrupted when upgraded from UA to CU, but i really don't know what was it.

 

I guess it is related to Windows as a service/delta updates, Windows calculates, what updates are needed.

Windows 10 Gets First Delta Updates in Addition to Cumulative Updates

Overview of Windows as a service (Windows 10) | Microsoft Docs

 

After further investigation on this, i've found the root cause to this problem.

I was using O&O ShutUp10, and this was and is the cause. In order to have checking for updates back to its normal checking time you need to turn off "Telemetry disabled (2 of 3)" - https://i.imgur.com/SJEgq0K.png on O&O ShutUp10.

After this, no more boring checking times.