need for updates?

paleolithten · 23 Jan 2020

I've been trying to help a neighbor whose computer is stuck trying to update Windows. Cumulative update for Windows 1903 x64 (KB4528760) and .NET 3.5 and 4.8 (KB4532938. Fails every day actually. Restarts, goes to 99% or 100%, says it could not complete and backs everything out. Takes about an hour doing it. I've searched and find that plenty of people see this but there's no consistent solution.

I don't have time to try all the possibilities I've read about, and she certainly isn't able to do so herself.

So I'm contemplating the possibility of just disabling Windows updates. How large is the danger in that? I don't think she uses it for anything but email (webmail).

She also has Malwarebytes Free installed and has been running it. Probably came preinstalled. I figure there's a significant chance that it damaged her system, causing the update problem.

Thanks,

Edward

dalchina · 24 Jan 2020

Hi, from a security point of view, not large, although you run the risk of disabling Windows Defender updates.
Update Windows Defender when Automatic Updates is disabled

As you say, trying to sort out failing updates can lead to days of frustration- see some of the threads here. Given your comment:

I don't have time to try all the possibilities

I'm only going to suggest the most basic checks.

As a minumum, I would suggest you run a disk check (Hard disk sentinel- trial (excellent) or HDTune free e.g, chkdsk, and SFC /SCANNOW) just to do some really elementary checks- don't expect those to fix the issue though.

Disabling/enabling WU: see
Enable or Disable Windows Update Automatic Updates in Windows 10
Option 7 - good 3rd party utility.

Others exist such as Sledgehammer

Matthew Wai · 24 Jan 2020

I would like to take this opportunity to publicize my scripts: Using CMD script and VBScript to control Windows Update

RK1997 · 24 Jan 2020

Try this tool to reset Windows Update components completely: https://gallery.technet.microsoft.co...-Tool-402a3eef

Matthew Wai · 24 Jan 2020

TenForums already has a tutorial: Reset Windows Update in Windows 10 | Tutorials

RK1997 · 24 Jan 2020

I know that. But the one I linked is an application. I just need to run it from start and select an option.

Matthew Wai · 24 Jan 2020

paleolithten said:

Cumulative update for Windows 1903 x64 (KB4528760)

It cannot be downloaded automatically at my end. See the following screenshot: https://www.tenforums.com/attachment...ive-update.jpg

paleolithten · 24 Jan 2020

Thanks for the replies. This helps.

Edward

- - - Updated - - -

Matthew Wai said:

It cannot be downloaded automatically at my end. See the following screenshot: https://www.tenforums.com/attachment...ive-update.jpg

Your message says something about metered connections. No metering is involved here, so that's likely the difference.

Edward

Matthew Wai · 24 Jan 2020

Edward, you can set connections as metered at will. It is a piece of cake.