Failed Windows Updates Causing Slowdowns? - Comments Page 3

Thank you Bob! After performing your update recommendation, my Vista is running the best it has run for quite some time! Keep up the good work for us PC dummies!!! Have a great weekend! :-)That is definitely one tip that is going in my PC Fix File!

My computer was so slow I would do something else while I waited for it to boot up. I installed Window 10 also signed up for online tech support. They did their thing and it was still slow. Then I followed Bob's suggestion. I followed the instructions and easily found the folder "software distribution" and "software distribution.bak." I deleted all in "software distribution" and did not touch .bak. I assume the .bak is a backup and has no effect on the operation of the computer. Should I delete the contents and the folder?

The computer now starts up and I'm very quickly able to start working on it. Must admit I was very surprised at the positive effect I'm experiencing.

I've had a problem with 2 windows update failures for months. One is for SP1 for Silverlight despite that I had long ago removed Silverlight from my PC. I tried re-installing Silverlight so I could get this update & that doesn't work. The other is for Msoft Visual C++ 2008 redistributable - x64 9.030729.74. I ignored them until I tried to install Corel Power Shop Pro x6 and it won't install -- says I have insufficient privileges to modify C:\Program files (x86)\CommonFiles\MicrosoftShared\vc\msdia90.dll. I used the instructions to remove failed updates and they worked fine but these two update failures are back.

My desktop will not install KB 3081438 PERIOD. I have tried Windows Update. I have tried Microsoft Update Catalog. I have tried installing it after download from a site not Microsoft. All Failed. After reboot, it gets to 75%, stalls, and then rolls back the update. So i tied your method. Again, it gets to 75% and rolls back the update.

Apparently, others are having this problem, too, as I find all kinds of webpages devoted to this update alone.

I assume Microsoft knows of the problem, but it isn't saying anything anywhere about it. Could updates be the death of Windows 10? I sure hope not, but ...

Thank you! I got your info from my partner, and performed the steps on my laptop. I had 50 folders with OVER 2,400 files just sitting there.

Never would have guessed! His computer is much better. We had even taken it to the Geek Squad to find out what the constant running noise was. They replaced the fan, but it was his disk drive constantly running due to failed updates repeatedly searching for info to install.

Bob - Great article, as always. Being a long-time reader and fan, I can appreciate the effort you put into writing for people with a wide range of computer-skills - from newbies to long-time programmer/troubleshooters. With that in mind and some additional steps, some of your readers with mid-level skills, can take control away from Windows Updates, if it's screwing-up their computers. Over the years, I've used variations of a theme, to stop applications from causing havoc with my client's machines. Basically, by denying Permissions, you can keep them from completing certain functions. I only do it on temporary basis, at the moment primarily to keep from going into the re-boot cycle that's currently affecting many computers (some of my machines, as well). Windows Update will still check the Microsoft servers for files, but it won't be able to do anything with them. The results are similar to having an "OFF" switch, which wasn't provided in this version of Windows.

To STOP getting Windows Updates: (This will only work if you are logged into an Administrator level account.) Before starting, Create a System Restore Point, Turn OFF internet access and of course follow the steps in Bob's article. Then, take ownership of the "Download" folder within the SoftwareDistribution folder, disable inheritance and then Deny Permissions to all entries except yours and Administrator. Reboot, be sure internet access is ON and Windows Updates will show available files, but will not be able to download or install them.

To START getting Windows Updates: (This will only work if you are logged into an Administrator level account.) Delete the aforementioned "Download" folder. Re-boot, be sure internet access is ON and check for Windows Updates. A new "Download" folder will be created automatically, with all of the original Permissions Allowed and Windows Updates will proceed to do what it usually does.

If the problem causing the slowdown are the failed updates trying to reinstall, then deleting the files in the Download folder as you described should be sufficient to improve performance. You don't need to run Windows Update again. Am I right? The reason I ask is that I have Windows Update turned off. I run Windows Update periodically. Thank you.

My PC starts and shutdowns fine, but in View Update History, I see around 30 failed updates. Should I try your procedure? If I do, what happens to the View Update History window results? Thank you.

Nice article, which took some research. However, as with most Windows remedies, my mileage varied. So, I cannot conclude anyone who suggests this measure is correct or incorrect.

My XP SP3 32 Windows volume had some unresolved issues with Windows Update (always had), which Windows Update itself could not correct. So, I was hopeful this might resolve the issue of a long shutdown sequence.

Of course, I have done the drill with removal of certain third-party applications, etc. In any case, the difference after running this procedure with the XP volume is negligible.

And this is the very reason I get your newsletter....and why I recommend it to everyone I know....thanks so much!!!

Solved my startup/general slowness in an instant - this tip is so good you should charge for it!

Not only are there 53 files in that download folder, but there are about as many folders. Do I delete all those folders as well as the files? I'm a bit doubtful, not so much of your knowing what you're talking about, but of my comprehending exactly what you are saying. I re-read your instructions many time and you didn't mention any folders within the download folder, only files. And by the way, a dozen or more of the failed updates were attempts to upgrade to Windows10Pro. I'm hesitant (scared) do delete everything in that download folder. Did you mean folders as well as files?

Bob you were right on time with this one. Was working on my wife's laptop that is about 3 years old. She was complaining that it would take forever to boot up and was running agonizing slow. I ran the Windows troubleshooting for poor performance and it made little difference with it. I happened to run across this article the next day and ran the clean up you recommended. It is now running as good as the day it was new. I'm going to have to buy you a Snickers bar. Thanks Bob you have saved the day again.

Well, I checked things out and found a fine folder full of faulty files, which I promptly deleted. As 4am seemed to be a good time to finish the process, I sent it on its way and headed for bed.
I neglected just one thing - all my new passwords are on the hard drive, and Win 10 doesn't like any of the versions I can remember! I have repeatedly followed instructions, to no avail. And of course Win 7 didn't require a password, so there is no past history. What now, Sherlock?

EDITOR'S NOTE: I don't understand how your password problem has anything to do with the Windows Update fix I described. Can you explain more?

My new Win10 system is not suffering the issues described in the article, and has no failed installs listed in the update history, but I looked in the relevant directory and there are dozens of files and (empty) folders in there, all with random hexadecimal strings for filenames.

Are these successful installs that didn't properly get 'garbage collected'?

"Finishing the process" unbeknownst to me, included shutting down and rebooting the computer. As my passwords were still behind the locked computer screen, I had a real problem. I hadn't needed a password for Win 7, so didn't expect to need one for Win 10.
I kept following the instructions for retrieving/resetting the password - for 20 hours, with a couple of breaks, before the proper connections FINALLY kicked in, and my screen kitty showed up. After that, I got a good night's sleep, sorely needed.

Bob,
You responded to a post for this subject by stating that one could rename the folder you cited if the individual was concerned about deleting thousands of files. My understanding is that when you rename a folder, Windows simply re-maps the files using the new folder name so Windows can still find them. If this is indeed the case, wouldn't it be better to copy the files to a removable drive, delete them from the C drive, and then see if there are any problems? If there are problems, simply copy all of the files back to the folder that was emptied. What are your thoughts about this? Thanks!

EDITOR'S NOTE: In my tests, Windows just created a new folder, and ignored the renamed one.

Thanks for the great article. Both my XP and W7 systems showed significant improvements in startup and shutdown times. As well, a lot of security updates were installed on both systems. Prior to this article I had bee3n unable to run windows update on my XP system for about 6 months.

I had been wondering why my PC had not upgraded to Win10. After reading your post I found over a dozen failed attempts in the update history file. I went to the download file as you instructed, deleted everything, then waited. Within 24 hrs, two more failed attempts to update to Win10 appeared. Then I began poking around on my own (always dangerous). I'm not even sure if I can recall the steps I took, but within the history files I highlighted one of the failed files and right clicked (I think; maybe just highlighting) and a link appeared to tell me what to do or why the update failed. It told me to tweak some settings, which I did. Then the next attempt was successful. It certainly wasn't automatic. And had I not poked around and manually tweaked some settings, I'd still be sitting here waiting.

I've been searching for this folder for over an hour. It does not exist on my computer!!But thanks anyway.