Update problems

[Eric Kazer]

Can't install any cumulative updates at all. some are critical. Some of them are optional.KB4535996, KB4540673, KB4541335, and KB4551762 will not install. This is slowing down the computer and making Windows update impossible to use. Offline installers and Windows Update do not work. KB 4551762 is a critical update and tried 16 times to install. No luck with any troubleshooting.

 

Definitions install for windows defender.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[homeap5]

Revert any changes you made to your system related to Windows Update - I mean by using any 3rd party tools like OO ShutUp10 etc. Remember if you haven't changed any settings related to Windows Update, disables any services, tune up your system etc. Windows Update rely on many services and tasks - if you start changing them using registry, task scheduler or 3rd party tools - you may end with some functions not working.

[Eric Kazer]

In place install Windows 10 1909 from a flash drive just created. Check for updates. Make sure data is backed up before do it. A clean install of Windows with out removing the data and programs is the best bet. I Installed the 2004 feature update and it repaired Windows update problems. I used the insider update to install low risk updates. Set the insider update to slow to have the lowest risk of a problem.

[Eric Kazer]

If I didn't have a insider update available, I would have reinstalled 1909 over 1909 with a flash drive with install media on it. That would have fixed errors like that that common fixes would not have solved. I was still getting other updates like Defender definitions and other updates. Just not Cumulative, and they can be mandatory, meaning security is involved. Some are not optional. Some will self install. In the end I installed the April Feature update and resolved the problem. I won't do this on fully working PCs. The laptop is old, and I am experimenting with it. It is way more stable than it was with 1909 using 2004. Just be careful of metadata, I did lose my Windows Media Player data and I had to restore it.

 

Anyway,

Open Windows Media Player

Click on tools

In Pull Down Menu, click Advanced

Click Restore Media Library

 

I did this after verifying that the files were there in File Explorer. Sometimes things corrupt in Windows. 

 

 

[Eric Kazer]

I should also say that changing things in the registry can make thing worse. I updated os to try it and fix issues.

 

Clean installing is the best way to fix Windows update. I basically in place installed Windows Over Windows, and kept files in place. So Steam, GOG and Media are all in place, but Windows Update is refreshed and reinstalled like it would be in a feature update. 

 

You should create install media every time there is a new Feature update release. 1909 is still the latest. 2004 is a Insider update right now. It should be releases as a feature update soon in April. When it is official, I will get the Update assistant for it to insure that Windows Update won't screw it up.

[homeap5]

17 hours ago, Eric Kazer said:

Clean installing is the best way to fix Windows update.

What do you exactly fix by installing new system? Do you fixes leaking pipes in your home by building new home?

 

For sure clean install Windows is not best fix for anything. It's just workaround if you don't know how to fix problem.

[Eric Kazer]

First, I said in place install, meaning to keep files and settings.

 

Second, I couldn't fix issue. Found missing data, and corrupted data.

 

What I said,

In place install Windows 10 1909 from a flash drive just created. Check for updates. Make sure data is backed up before do it. A clean install of Windows with out removing the data and programs is the best bet. I Installed the 2004 feature update and it repaired Windows update problems. I used the insider update to install low risk updates. Set the insider update to slow to have the lowest risk of a problem.

 

Also,

I was not going to try and fix the machine at that current install. Fixing one thing sometimes corrupts another.  

 

Clean install ensures that it will work, and it did. Also, I got sick of troubleshooting. Fixes system, and fixes Windows update.

 

What commenter said,

Revert any changes you made to your system related to Windows Update - I mean by using any 3rd party tools like OO ShutUp10 etc. Remember if you haven't changed any settings related to Windows Update, disables any services, tune up your system etc. Windows Update rely on many services and tasks - if you start changing them using registry, task scheduler or 3rd party tools - you may end with some functions not working.

 

In the end, I'm looking for lowest to no risk of data lose, or corruption. This is why I said a inplace installation of 1909, or 2004 (the one I did from insider update) worked. Just choose "Keep files and settings" and wait an hour for install of system. Sure fire fix.

[homeap5]

Clean install usually means something else. Keeping programs and settings keeps most of registry entries, so it's not really what people call "clean install". What you're talking is just repair install or reinstall.

[Eric Kazer]

This case, update install. 1909 to 2004. Also, it is a repair install, it it did fix Windows update. Easiest fix. Also, most time consuming.