Solved Updates just won't download

jamsc

New Member
Messages
16
Just got a new computer for my wife with Windows 8.1. Last night I hooked it up to my mouse/keyboard/monitor, installed some programs and updated the OS from Windows update. This morning, I set up the computer in its permanent place with my wife's mouse/keyboard/monitor and finished setting things up. I then tried to use Windows Update to update some Intel drivers and it won't work; says it's downloading but nothing is happening. I waited plenty of time to make sure it wasn't just me.

So far I tried using the Windows update diagnostic tool. That stayed stuck on "Checking registry entries" for well over half an hour. I search this forum and found a suggestion to go to Action Center, Troubleshooting, Fix Problems with Windows Update. So I tried that also, and it's been stuck on "Resolving Problems" for about an hour now (still running as I type this).

How can I fix this short of reinstalling the OS, or taking it back to the shop where I bought it and telling them to put W7 on?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
I temporarily solved this by reinstalling the OS. But then somehow Windows Update got messed up again, but this time going to Action Center >Troubleshooting > Fix Problems with Windows Update worked. Unfortunately, this fix also is only temporary. This problem keeps reappearing, but so far, the Action Center fix has kept fixing it. I would like to find out the cause as to why Updates keeps getting corrupted. When I run "Fix Problems with Windows Update," it gives 6 messages; I'm hoping that someone can help me figure this out by these messages. Here they are in order:

  1. Rebuilding Windows Update Database
  2. Stopping Bits service
  3. Stopping CryptSvc service
  4. Clearing Bits queue
  5. Starting CryptSvc service
  6. Starting Bits service
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
I have a machine that is doing the exact same thing. I have scoured the net today and found nothing but, I am looking into it further and sounds like I will also have to re-install. :(
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro 64bit TH2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    CAMGNET
    CPU
    FX6300
    Motherboard
    Asus sabertooth 990FX R2.0
    Memory
    12gb GSkill 1866mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX560 Ti
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" Samsung
    Screen Resolution
    1650/1280
    Hard Drives
    256gb Samsung 250gb SSD
    2 x 2TB WD Red
    PSU
    700 Corsair
    Case
    Cooler Master CM 690 II Advanced
    Cooling
    Default
    Keyboard
    MS Wireless 1000
    Mouse
    MS Wireless 1000
    Internet Speed
    1000mbps
    Browser
    Palemoon
    Antivirus
    Avast
Pendaws wrote:
I have a machine that is doing the exact same thing. I have scoured the net today and found nothing but, I am looking into it further and sounds like I will also have to re-install.

Hold off on that if you haven't started it yet. I think I may have found the root cause. Of course, I can't be sure until MS comes out with new updates for 8.1 so I can check it. I don't really understand how what I'm about to list causes/fixes this problem or how to explain it; I'll leave that to the link below. I suggest you read it before doing the steps outlined below. What you need to do is disable the task titled WSRefreshBannedAppsListTask. Here's how.

  1. Open Task Scheduler as Administrator
  2. In the left-hand pane, click the arrow to the left of "Task Scheduler Library"
  3. Then click the arrow to the left of "Microsoft"
  4. Then click the arrow to the left of "Windows"
  5. Scroll down to the folder named "WS" and click to highlight it
Now in the top middle pane you should see WSRefreshBannedAppsList. Click it to highlight it, then in the bottom right-hand pane click on "Disable."

Here's the link where I found this:

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...-machine/2ea6a4b8-c50c-444f-a4ef-f7ee7705f1ae
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Update Pro in Hyper-V/Windows 10 Pro 64 bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Cliff's Black & Blue Wonder
    CPU
    Intel Core i9-9900K
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus X Hero
    Memory
    32 GB Quad Kit, G.Skill Trident Z RGB Series schwarz, DDR4-3866, 18-19-19-39-2T
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS GeForce RTX 3090 ROG Strix O24G, 24576 MB GDDR6X
    Sound Card
    (1) HD Webcam C270 (2) NVIDIA High Definition Audio (3) Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    BenQ BL2711U(4K) and a hp 27vx(1080p)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080 x 32 bits (4294967296 colors) @ 60 Hz
    Hard Drives
    C: Samsung 960 EVO NVMe M.2 SSD
    E: & O: Libraries & OneDrive-> Samsung 850 EVO 1TB
    D: Hyper-V VM's -> Samsung PM951 Client M.2 512Gb SSD
    G: System Images -> HDD Seagate Barracuda 2TB
    PSU
    Corsair HX1000i High Performance ATX Power Supply 80+ Platinum
    Case
    hanteks Enthoo Pro TG
    Cooling
    Thermaltake Floe Riing RGB TT Premium-Edition 360mm and 3 Corsair blue LED fans
    Keyboard
    Trust GTX THURA
    Mouse
    Trust GTX 148
    Internet Speed
    25+/5+ (+usually faster)
    Browser
    Edge; Chrome; IE11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender of course & Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit as a
    Other Info
    Router: FRITZ!Box 7590 AX V2
    Sound system: SHARP HT-SBW460 Dolby Atmos Soundbar
    Webcam: Logitech BRIO ULTRA HD PRO WEBCAM 4K webcam with HDR
Cliff S wrote:
Are you getting any kind of error code?
At the end of "Action Center >Troubleshooting > Fix Problems with Windows Update" I get this:
Code:
Potential Windows Updates Database error detected 0x80070490  [B]Fixed[/B]
Windows Update components must be repaired                    [B]Fixed[/B]
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Cliff S wrote:
Are you getting any kind of error code?
At the end of "Action Center >Troubleshooting > Fix Problems with Windows Update" I get this:
Code:
Potential Windows Updates Database error detected 0x80070490  [B]Fixed[/B]
Windows Update components must be repaired                    [B]Fixed[/B]
I meant, when you run Windows Update,, does it give you some kind of timeout error code, such as "§Error 0x8024402" or the like.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Update Pro in Hyper-V/Windows 10 Pro 64 bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Cliff's Black & Blue Wonder
    CPU
    Intel Core i9-9900K
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus X Hero
    Memory
    32 GB Quad Kit, G.Skill Trident Z RGB Series schwarz, DDR4-3866, 18-19-19-39-2T
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS GeForce RTX 3090 ROG Strix O24G, 24576 MB GDDR6X
    Sound Card
    (1) HD Webcam C270 (2) NVIDIA High Definition Audio (3) Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    BenQ BL2711U(4K) and a hp 27vx(1080p)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080 x 32 bits (4294967296 colors) @ 60 Hz
    Hard Drives
    C: Samsung 960 EVO NVMe M.2 SSD
    E: & O: Libraries & OneDrive-> Samsung 850 EVO 1TB
    D: Hyper-V VM's -> Samsung PM951 Client M.2 512Gb SSD
    G: System Images -> HDD Seagate Barracuda 2TB
    PSU
    Corsair HX1000i High Performance ATX Power Supply 80+ Platinum
    Case
    hanteks Enthoo Pro TG
    Cooling
    Thermaltake Floe Riing RGB TT Premium-Edition 360mm and 3 Corsair blue LED fans
    Keyboard
    Trust GTX THURA
    Mouse
    Trust GTX 148
    Internet Speed
    25+/5+ (+usually faster)
    Browser
    Edge; Chrome; IE11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender of course & Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit as a
    Other Info
    Router: FRITZ!Box 7590 AX V2
    Sound system: SHARP HT-SBW460 Dolby Atmos Soundbar
    Webcam: Logitech BRIO ULTRA HD PRO WEBCAM 4K webcam with HDR
Cliff S wrote:
I meant, when you run Windows Update,, does it give you some kind of timeout error code, such as "§Error 0x8024402" or the like.
No. I only get error 0x80070490 when I run "Fix Problems with Windows Update." No error message on Windows Update itself. It looks like it's running, but nothing happens (and I've let it run long enough to know).
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Two more possibilities are, check that you time zone is correct in CPL>Date & Time and in the Store sync your licenses.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Update Pro in Hyper-V/Windows 10 Pro 64 bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Cliff's Black & Blue Wonder
    CPU
    Intel Core i9-9900K
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus X Hero
    Memory
    32 GB Quad Kit, G.Skill Trident Z RGB Series schwarz, DDR4-3866, 18-19-19-39-2T
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS GeForce RTX 3090 ROG Strix O24G, 24576 MB GDDR6X
    Sound Card
    (1) HD Webcam C270 (2) NVIDIA High Definition Audio (3) Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    BenQ BL2711U(4K) and a hp 27vx(1080p)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080 x 32 bits (4294967296 colors) @ 60 Hz
    Hard Drives
    C: Samsung 960 EVO NVMe M.2 SSD
    E: & O: Libraries & OneDrive-> Samsung 850 EVO 1TB
    D: Hyper-V VM's -> Samsung PM951 Client M.2 512Gb SSD
    G: System Images -> HDD Seagate Barracuda 2TB
    PSU
    Corsair HX1000i High Performance ATX Power Supply 80+ Platinum
    Case
    hanteks Enthoo Pro TG
    Cooling
    Thermaltake Floe Riing RGB TT Premium-Edition 360mm and 3 Corsair blue LED fans
    Keyboard
    Trust GTX THURA
    Mouse
    Trust GTX 148
    Internet Speed
    25+/5+ (+usually faster)
    Browser
    Edge; Chrome; IE11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender of course & Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit as a
    Other Info
    Router: FRITZ!Box 7590 AX V2
    Sound system: SHARP HT-SBW460 Dolby Atmos Soundbar
    Webcam: Logitech BRIO ULTRA HD PRO WEBCAM 4K webcam with HDR
Cliff S wrote:
Two more possibilities are, check that you time zone is correct in CPL>Date & Time and in the Store sync your licenses.
Time zone is correct. Can you give me instructions on how to synch licenses? I have no idea what that means. BTW, I get the feeling you don't think the possible fix I mentioned is indeed a fix (post #5)?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
thumb_13482930400Store.png

App - Sync License in Windows 8
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Update Pro in Hyper-V/Windows 10 Pro 64 bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Cliff's Black & Blue Wonder
    CPU
    Intel Core i9-9900K
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus X Hero
    Memory
    32 GB Quad Kit, G.Skill Trident Z RGB Series schwarz, DDR4-3866, 18-19-19-39-2T
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS GeForce RTX 3090 ROG Strix O24G, 24576 MB GDDR6X
    Sound Card
    (1) HD Webcam C270 (2) NVIDIA High Definition Audio (3) Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    BenQ BL2711U(4K) and a hp 27vx(1080p)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080 x 32 bits (4294967296 colors) @ 60 Hz
    Hard Drives
    C: Samsung 960 EVO NVMe M.2 SSD
    E: & O: Libraries & OneDrive-> Samsung 850 EVO 1TB
    D: Hyper-V VM's -> Samsung PM951 Client M.2 512Gb SSD
    G: System Images -> HDD Seagate Barracuda 2TB
    PSU
    Corsair HX1000i High Performance ATX Power Supply 80+ Platinum
    Case
    hanteks Enthoo Pro TG
    Cooling
    Thermaltake Floe Riing RGB TT Premium-Edition 360mm and 3 Corsair blue LED fans
    Keyboard
    Trust GTX THURA
    Mouse
    Trust GTX 148
    Internet Speed
    25+/5+ (+usually faster)
    Browser
    Edge; Chrome; IE11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender of course & Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit as a
    Other Info
    Router: FRITZ!Box 7590 AX V2
    Sound system: SHARP HT-SBW460 Dolby Atmos Soundbar
    Webcam: Logitech BRIO ULTRA HD PRO WEBCAM 4K webcam with HDR
Thanks Cliff S. Question: If my problem with Windows Update lies here, would simply changing "Automatically download updates for my apps" from Yes to No fix my problem?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
I don't believe that's the problem. On windows 8 and 10 it's best to really set updating, be it windows updates or app store, to let windows handle it all if you are on a non-metered connection. Sometimes there is just a hiccup in the system, and one has to get pro-active. When I was on eight, I had to run those 2 batch files every once in a while to "sort things out", but I never had a BSOD or any other problem with it. Once one get's used to the OS, it's great.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Update Pro in Hyper-V/Windows 10 Pro 64 bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Cliff's Black & Blue Wonder
    CPU
    Intel Core i9-9900K
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus X Hero
    Memory
    32 GB Quad Kit, G.Skill Trident Z RGB Series schwarz, DDR4-3866, 18-19-19-39-2T
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS GeForce RTX 3090 ROG Strix O24G, 24576 MB GDDR6X
    Sound Card
    (1) HD Webcam C270 (2) NVIDIA High Definition Audio (3) Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    BenQ BL2711U(4K) and a hp 27vx(1080p)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080 x 32 bits (4294967296 colors) @ 60 Hz
    Hard Drives
    C: Samsung 960 EVO NVMe M.2 SSD
    E: & O: Libraries & OneDrive-> Samsung 850 EVO 1TB
    D: Hyper-V VM's -> Samsung PM951 Client M.2 512Gb SSD
    G: System Images -> HDD Seagate Barracuda 2TB
    PSU
    Corsair HX1000i High Performance ATX Power Supply 80+ Platinum
    Case
    hanteks Enthoo Pro TG
    Cooling
    Thermaltake Floe Riing RGB TT Premium-Edition 360mm and 3 Corsair blue LED fans
    Keyboard
    Trust GTX THURA
    Mouse
    Trust GTX 148
    Internet Speed
    25+/5+ (+usually faster)
    Browser
    Edge; Chrome; IE11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender of course & Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit as a
    Other Info
    Router: FRITZ!Box 7590 AX V2
    Sound system: SHARP HT-SBW460 Dolby Atmos Soundbar
    Webcam: Logitech BRIO ULTRA HD PRO WEBCAM 4K webcam with HDR
Cliff S wrote:
Once one get's used to the OS, it's great.
A little background: This is my wife's computer. I use Win 7 on mine. Actually, this is her second computer with Win 8 on it, so she is already used to it (and so am I to a degree). The funny thing is that her first computer with Win 8 never had this problem, so it's a bit of a stumper as to why we are having this problem on her new machine.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
I had troubles once again this past patch Tuesday. Updates were not downloading, and using "Fix Problems with Windows Update" was not working. I though, "oh no, I've hit the brick wall again, I'm going to have to reinstall the OS."

But before I did that, I thought I would try something. I went into Task Scheduler (this is described in the fifth post of this thread, here) and disabled everything found in the folder named "WS". After that "Fix Problems with Windows Update" worked. So once again I am waiting till the next patch Tuesday to see if Update works correctly, so I can finally, hopefully, mark this as solved.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
I can finally mark this as solved. Update worked as it should this time. Here again is what I did to fix it:


  1. Open Task Scheduler as Administrator
  2. In the left-hand pane, click the arrow to the left of "Task Scheduler Library"
  3. Then click the arrow to the left of "Microsoft"
  4. Then click the arrow to the left of "Windows"
  5. Scroll down to the folder named "WS" and click to highlight it

Now in the top middle pane disable everything in this "WS" folder by highlighting each entry, then in the bottom right-hand pane click on "Disable."

I got this from the link below, which only says to disable WSRefreshBannedAppsList, but I had to disable everything before it worked.

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...-machine/2ea6a4b8-c50c-444f-a4ef-f7ee7705f1ae
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
AlainCh wrote:
jamsc ... I disabled everything under WS..... Rebooted and now Wupdate is UPDATING!!! Thanks a lot !!!
Glad this fix worked for you.

I did however have one hiccup today trying to update. So I went back into the WS folder and lo and behold, one thing in there somehow got turned back on (how does that happen?). So I disabled it once again, and again updates worked as it should. If anything in this folder gets turned back on again, instead of disabling it again I will use the delete button.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
WU working again

FWIW, I just disabled only the BannedAppsList task in a Dell XPS 8700 Win8.1. I had been having problems with WU since late December. I had 62 Important updates backed up and WU wouldn't even check for updates any more. I had just finished cleaning up the Component Store except for one printer driver using a combination of SFC , DISM and a script from KYHI (never would have gotten things done without it) and a local Win8.1 install media file. In desperation, I disabled the task, booted, and was able to immediately start downloading batches of the updates with no problems. Some of the fix may have had to do with cleaning up the store, but it was quite a coincidence that things cleared up at that point. Sometimes you get real lucky. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1Update build 9600
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 8700
    CPU
    3.60 gigahertz Intel Core i74790
    Motherboard
    Dell Inc. 0KWVT8 A03
    Memory
    12G
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GT720
    Sound Card
    onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG EW224
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    (1) 1TB
    (1) 1TB
    Case
    tower
    Cooling
    air
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech trackball M570, wireless
    Internet Speed
    40 down, 8 up
    Browser
    Chrome - primary, IE11 - secondary
    Antivirus
    Norton Security
Back
Top