In this article, I will discuss troubleshooting steps for when Windows 7 updates installation fails.
Running the Windows Update Troubleshooter
To run the Windows Update Troubleshooter:
1. Click on the Start button and type “troubleshoot” in the search box.
2. Select “Troubleshooting” from the search results.
3. Click on “Fix problems with Windows Update” under the System and Security section.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to run the troubleshooter and let it detect any issues with Windows Update.
5. Once the troubleshooter has completed its scan, follow any recommended solutions to fix the problem.
If the Windows Update Troubleshooter does not resolve the issue, you may need to try other troubleshooting steps such as checking your internet connection, ensuring that your system meets the minimum requirements for the update, or resetting the Windows Update components.
Manually Installing System Updates
If you are facing issues with Windows 7 updates installation failing, you can try manually installing the updates to troubleshoot the problem. Here’s how you can do it:
1. First, open File Explorer and navigate to the Windows Update folder. You can find this folder in the Windows directory.
2. Look for any files related to the failed updates and delete them. Sometimes corrupt update files can cause installation failures.
3. After deleting the files, restart your computer and try checking for updates again through the Control Panel.
4. If the updates still fail to install, you can try downloading the updates manually from the Microsoft website.
5. Go to the Microsoft Update Catalog website and search for the specific update that is failing to install.
6. Download the update file that matches your system architecture (32-bit or 64-bit) and install it manually by double-clicking on the downloaded file.
7. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.
8. Once the update is installed, restart your computer and check if the issue has been resolved.
Resetting Windows Update Components
- Stop Windows Update Service:
- Open Command Prompt as an administrator by searching for it in the Start menu, right-clicking on it, and selecting “Run as administrator”.
- Type the following commands and press Enter after each one:
net stop wuauserv
net stop cryptSvc
net stop bits
net stop msiserver - Rename SoftwareDistribution and Catroot2 folders:
- Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
- Type the following commands and press Enter after each one:
ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 Catroot2.old - Restart Windows Update Service:
- Type the following commands in the Command Prompt window and press Enter after each one:
net start wuauserv
net start cryptSvc
net start bits
net start msiserver
Modifying Permissions for Update Folders
To modify permissions for update folders in Windows 7, follow these steps:
1. Open File Explorer and navigate to the folder where the Windows update files are located.
2. Right-click on the update folder and select Properties from the context menu.
3. Go to the Security tab and click on Edit to change the permissions.
4. Click on Add and type “Everyone” in the box, then click Check Names and OK.
5. Select Everyone from the Group or user names list and check the Full Control box under Allow.
6. Click Apply and OK to save the changes and close the Properties window.
F.A.Qs
How do I fix Windows 7 updates not installing?
To fix Windows 7 updates not installing, you can troubleshoot the issue by going to the Update & Security section in the Settings menu. From there, run the Windows Update troubleshooter and then restart your device.
How do I fix Windows 7 some updates were not installed?
To fix the issue where some updates were not installed on Windows 7, you can try preparing the prerequisites for updates, manually downloading and installing updates, using the Microsoft Update Diagnostic Troubleshooting Tool, modifying permissions for the SoftwareDistribution folder, running the update in clean boot, and disabling your Windows Firewall.
Can you still get old Windows 7 updates?
You cannot get old Windows 7 updates anymore since the ESUs ended on Jan. 10, 2023.
How to install Windows 7 updates manually?
To install Windows 7 updates manually, you can navigate to the Windows Update section located in the Control Panel under System and Security. From there, you can choose to install important or optional updates that are available.
