I'll only quote the methods below I would not skip for sure if I were troubleshooting this issue but I wouldn't limit myself to just these or just this KB for that matter but these may be good starting points for potential solutions.
Lastly, I'd start troubleshooting and working this problem from one of the machines and ensure it's connected to a rather speedy Internet connection so in other words if you're traveling and connected to public network or a mobile wifi, just wait to ensure those factors don't play a role in the issue just in case.
Method 1: Run the Windows Update troubleshooter
To do this, go to the Windows Update
troubleshooter.
Method 4: Run the System Update Readiness tool (CheckSur.exe)
Download and run the System Update Readiness tool. This tool runs a
one-time scan for inconsistencies that may prevent future servicing
operations. For more information about how to download and run the
CheckSur.exe tool, see the following article in the Microsoft
Knowledge Base:
Fix Windows corruption errors by using the DISM or System Update Readiness tool (https://support.microsoft.com/kb/947821)
Try to install updates again.
Note After you run the tool, the CheckSur.log file is saved in the following location:
%systemroot%\logs\cbs
Method 5: Run the System File Checker tool (SFC.exe)
To do this, follow these steps:
- Open an administrative Command Prompt window.
- At the command prompt, type sfc /scannow, and then press Enter.
- After the scan is finished, try to install updates again.
Method 6: Reset the content of the Catroot2 folder
To do this, follow these steps:
- Open an administrative Command Prompt window.
Type the following commands, and press Enter after each command:
net stop cryptsvc
md %systemroot%\system32\catroot2.old
xcopy %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 %systemroot%\system32\catroot2.old /s
Delete all contents of the catroot2 folder, but do not delete the catroot2 folder.
- Type the following command, and then press Enter:
net start cryptsvc
- Exit the Command Prompt window.
Method 8: Register the Windows Update files
To do this, follow these steps:
- Open an administrative Command Prompt window.
- At the command prompt, type the following command:
REGSVR32 WUPS2.DLL /S
REGSVR32 WUPS.DLL /S
REGSVR32 WUAUENG.DLL /S
REGSVR32 WUAPI.DLL /S
REGSVR32 WUCLTUX.DLL /S
REGSVR32 WUWEBV.DLL /S
REGSVR32 JSCRIPT.DLL /S
REGSVR32 MSXML3.DLL /S
- Try to install updates again.
Method 10: Rename the SoftwareDistribution folder
To do this, follow these steps:
Open an administrative Command Prompt window.
Run the following commands, and press Enter after each command:
- Net stop wuauserv
- cd %systemroot%
- Ren SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
- Net start wuauserv
Try to install updates again.
Important The following issues occur when you use this method:
Updates that are currently downloaded but that have not yet been installed have to be downloaded again by using Windows Update or
Microsoft Update.
When you delete the Software Distribution folder, your download history is removed.
If you currently receive updates from Microsoft Update and from Windows Update, you will have to reselect this option from the Windows
Update website.
Note If the issue is resolved and you can successfully download and install updates, you can safely delete the
SoftwareDistribution.old folder to recover disk space.
Method 11: Clear the BITS queue of any current jobs
To do this, follow these steps:
- Open an administrative Command Prompt window.
- At the command prompt, type the following commands, and press Enter after each command:
Net stop bits
Net stop wuauserv
Ipconfig /flushdns
cd \documents and settings\all users\application data\microsoft\network\downloader
Del qmgr0.dat
Del qmgr1.dat
Net start bits
Net start wuauserv
Note After you complete these steps, the BITS queue is cleared.
- Try to install updates again.
Method 12: Rename Pending.xml
To do this, follow these steps:
- Open an administrative Command Prompt window.
At the command prompt, type the following command:
takeown /f C:\Windows\winsxs\pending.xml
Rename the c:\windows\winsxs\pending.xml path by using the following command:
Ren c:\windows\winsxs\pending.xml pending.old
Method 13: Run Chkdsk on the Windows partition
To do this, follow these steps:
- Open an administrative Command Prompt window.
At the command prompt, type the following command:
Chkdsk volume: /f /r
source
Best Answer
Windows Update
under Start -> All Programs.Manually installing an update is often the solution for stucking updates.
If that update is Win 7 SP1 you SHOULD install it manually to prevent breaking your system if you have had problems with it (SP1 crashed a few PCs over here).
If manually installing that update doesn't work, tell us your error-description (if any).