Member Avatar for Dougie

I've been using Windows update for many years without a glitch but for the past two weeks for some reason it won't give me my updates. When I go to Windows update, click on custom it starts scanning my computer for updates in the usual way. I can see my modem working and HDD activity as it always does when scanning, then modem stops and the bars on Windows update page keeps scanning but never shows updates that are available. It will scan forever but won't show my updates. I'm still using Win XP and IE6. Not sure what the problem is. Anyone ??

  • 2 Contributors
  • 4 Replies
  • 244 Views
  • 1 Day Discussion Span
  • Latest Post Latest Post by JorgeM

Dani AI

Generated

Short summary and context: ’s symptom — the updater “scans forever” and never lists results — is a common Windows Update client problem, especially on very old installs. Windows XP reached end of support on April 8, 2014, so the update infrastructure and compatibility guarantees that existed in 2013 no longer apply; continued use of XP carries real security and compatibility risks. (learn.microsoft.com)

Quick checks (fast, low-risk)

  • Confirm the PC clock/time and time zone (certificate checks fail if time is far off).
  • Temporarily disable any third‑party firewall/antivirus and remove proxy settings in Internet Options while testing.
  • Try the update check with Internet Explorer running with no add‑ons (just for the test). These basics often reveal whether the problem is TLS/certificate/proxy or a security product blocking the update client. (support.microsoft.com)

A practical reset you can try (does not reinstall Windows)

  • Stop the update services, rename the local update cache, then restart the services. On XP the usual sequence is to stop Background Intelligent Transfer Service and Automatic Updates, rename the SoftwareDistribution (and catroot2) folders, then restart the services and retry Windows Update. Example commands you can run from an elevated command prompt: 
net stop bits
net stop wuauserv
ren %windir%\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
ren %windir%\system32\catroot2 catroot2.old
net start bits
net start wuauserv

Microsoft documents the “rename SoftwareDistribution / restart services” approach as an official troubleshooting step. (support.microsoft.com)

If that doesn’t help, next steps and fallbacks

  • Make sure the Windows Update Agent on XP is up to date (the agent version matters for compatibility with Microsoft servers). If the agent can’t update automatically you may need an offline approach. (learn.microsoft.com)
  • Use the Microsoft Update Catalog to download individual KB packages manually, or create an offline update set with a trusted tool such as WSUS Offline if the online scan never completes. These bypass the web UI and often work when the live scan fails. (catalog.update.microsoft.com)
  • If you still get nowhere, grab the last ~40 lines of C:\Windows\WindowsUpdate.log and check them (they show error codes you can look up). Microsoft’s Windows Update log guidance explains what to look for. (support.microsoft.com)

Note: ’s idea of using Microsoft’s catalog/alternate update route is a sound fallback; if the machine is important, plan to migrate off XP (or isolate it) because security updates are no longer guaranteed.

Recommended Answers

All 4 Replies

Member Avatar for Dougie

Just wanted to add that I use Firefox all the time and only use IE for my updates.

Member Avatar for JorgeM

Try upgrading IE and use Microsoft Update instead of WindowsUpdate.

Something must have happened that broke some component.

Member Avatar for Dougie

While lookin around the internet I found this for repairing IE6 specifically: Start / run, type in sfc / scannow. It will do a scan and ask you to insert your Windows disc. Anyone tried this before I do it lol ?

Member Avatar for JorgeM

sfc can be used to repair system files. I havent used it specifically for IE but have on other occasions. It wont make things worse if that is what you are concerned about.

Be a part of the DaniWeb community

We're a friendly, industry-focused community of developers, IT pros, digital marketers, and technology enthusiasts meeting, networking, learning, and sharing knowledge.