Windows 10: Windows Update Unable to START Downloading

Note: My issue is not being stuck at 0% download, download will not start at all.


In Windows Update one update is stuck at "pending download" status (Security Update for Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Service Pack 1 Redistributable Package (KB2565063)). Clicking the download button does not do anything although the cursor shows the loading circle briefly. There is no network usage so it isn't just an issue with the UI. Furthermore I am unable to activate Automatic Update download, the slider immediately snaps back to "off" after clicking to "on". I have set the network as not metered, tried clean boot, done an SFC scan without results.

:)

 

Windows 10 forced download

^This, then reboot and go to manually update windows. Find KB3035583 in the list of available updates, right-click and "Hide this update" so it doesn't get installed again next go around.

 

Windows 10 forced download

To stop the download, uninstall the KB3035583 update (under "Control Panel > Windows Update > Installed Updates").


To get rid of the C:\$Windows.~BT folder:

• Right-click on your C: drive.
• Select "Properties".
• Click on [ Disk Cleanup ]
• After the initial scan: If you have a [ Clean up system files ] button, click it and wait for the second scan to finish.
• Scroll down the list and look for "Temporary Windows installation files" (its size should be in the gigabytes range); check the box.
• Click on [ OK ] to start the clean-up.

 

Windows 10 update stuck at starting download

Following these steps are the most commonly successful fix to that issue:

1. Open an admin command prompt
   
2. Type net stop wuauserv
   
3. Type net stop bits
   
4. Delete this directory: C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution
   
5. Reboot. If you were unable to delete the directory in step 4 boot into safe mode and finish deletion there.
   
6. Boot into Windows and restart update.
   

If this does not work there are other methods to try that I can detail if needed. In summary these are:

1. Windows update troubleshooter ( occasionally works)
   
2. Run sfc /scannow as admin. Resolve identified issues if any, redo steps at top
   
3. Admit defeat, just download the ISO installer and manually kick off the update.
   
4. Admit defeat, format drive and install the exciting new Fedora 24 beta!