Why is windows update taking so long?

Tim87

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It's been stuck on "downloading 68 updates(0 KB total, 0% complete)" for like 15-20 minutes now. How do I find out if it's frozen or if it's actually downloading?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Microsoft Windows 8.1 with Bing 64-bit 9600 Multiprocessor Free
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP 15-f010wm TouchSmart notebook
    CPU
    Intel(R) Celeron(R) CPU N2830 @ 2.16GHz
    Motherboard
    Hewlett-Packard 233F
    Memory
    4.00gb DDR3 SDRAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    intel HD graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio, intel display audio
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768 x 59 Hz
    Browser
    Firefox 34.0.5
    Antivirus
    Avast free & Malwarebytes anti malware (premium)
Click cancel and close the Windows Update screen then the Control Panel. Reopen Windows Update screen, they may already be downloaded but the screen did not change. If not checked for updates again.

You could also use the Windows Update Troubleshooter:
Troubleshoot problems with installing updates - Windows Help

If you do get them downloaded, do not try to install them all at once. Select 5 or 10 at a time to install. That many updates all at one time would drive the computer crazy and take a long time to revert changes.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1 Update 1 Pro 64bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Pavillion H8-1202
    CPU
    I7-2600 @ 3.4 GHz
    Motherboard
    PEGATRON
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NIVDIA GeForce GT 520
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC656GR CODEC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster S22B350
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1080 32 bit color
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 850 EVO SSD 500GB
    Keyboard
    Razer Blackwidow Ultimate 2013
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
Depending on the Internet speed & how fast your PC is. Look in: C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download. This is where Windows Updates is downloading files. If there's activity then you just have to wait for it to complete.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1x64PWMC Ubuntu14.04x64 MintMate17x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Brewed
    CPU
    I7 4970K OC'ed @4.7 GHz
    Motherboard
    MSI-Z97
    Memory
    16 GB G-Skill Trident X @2400MHZ
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTS 450
    Sound Card
    X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Professional Series
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dual HP-W2408
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1200
    Hard Drives
    256 GB M2 sm951, (2) 500GB 850EVO, 5TB, 2 TB Seagate
    PSU
    Antec 850W
    Case
    Antec 1200
    Cooling
    Danger Den H20
    Keyboard
    Logitech
    Mouse
    Logitech Performance Mouse MX
    Internet Speed
    35/12mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
It may appear to be stuck but rarely is, the indicators shown that you have quoted are not particularly accurate or indicative of what's going on. So Just open the Task Manager and look at Disc activity, and other sections, it's a lot more revealing.

For that amount of updates 20 min is nothing, expect something like an hour or more.

I group a smaller number together maybe 5-10 or so, and get the important ones done first, then the optional ones at leisure.

The SP style update ones (for Windows 8.1) that are 100s of MB in size are always separated out as they take a long time, maybe 30 min or so.
 

My Computer

It changed but now it's said installing update 6 of 68 for the past hour and a half
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Microsoft Windows 8.1 with Bing 64-bit 9600 Multiprocessor Free
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP 15-f010wm TouchSmart notebook
    CPU
    Intel(R) Celeron(R) CPU N2830 @ 2.16GHz
    Motherboard
    Hewlett-Packard 233F
    Memory
    4.00gb DDR3 SDRAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    intel HD graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio, intel display audio
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768 x 59 Hz
    Browser
    Firefox 34.0.5
    Antivirus
    Avast free & Malwarebytes anti malware (premium)
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