How to Fix Windows 7 Won’t Update | Causes & Fixes

The advent of technology has made life and survival way more easy and more comfortable. There have been inventions and innovations of varied and different types of tools, including Windows. However, at times, it can develop errors like Windows 7 won’t update. In such a case, you might be wondering how to fix this issue. I will let you know about the fixes in this article. Stay connected to know.  

One of the major releases of the Windows NT operating system was Windows 7. An innovation of Microsoft Windows 7 was released to manufacturing on July 22. 2009. It was made available for general use in the month of Oct 2009. Windows 7 is known all across the board for its critical and commercial success. In its first month of release, it sold over 6.1 million copies. When it comes to performance, Windows 7 is a name to reckon with. 

In case you want to know about the ways and the methods to fix the Windows 7 won’t update. Stay around to know in detail. 

Why Windows 7 Won’t Update?

Windows 7 logo; How to Fix Windows 7 Won’t Update | Causes & Fixes

As such, there is no solid and definite reason behind the issue: Windows 7 Won’t update. It can be due to a number of reasons. Some of the potential causes are mentioned below. 

1. If you have a clean installed Windows 7 with a Service Pack 1. It might create troubles in updating Windows 7, leading to Windows 7 not updating. 
2. In case there have been changes made to the Windows update by Microsoft. You may face a Windows 7 won’t update error. 
3. When your PC doesn’t have enough storage to download and install Windows 7. You may fail to update Windows 7. 
4. If your Windows 7 wrong configured settings are not correct. It can also lead to Windows 7 won’t update. 

How to Fix Windows 7 Won’t Update?

Windows 7 logo; How to Fix Windows 7 Won’t Update | Causes & Fixes

As it has come to the fore, there is no definite cause why Windows 7 won’t update error. Therefore, to solve this issue, you have to follow the standard ways of fixing it. Given below are the ways and methods that you can try to fix this issue. 

1. Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter

Windows update troubleshooter is one of the easiest and simplest ways to fix the problem with the Windows update. If you want to run the troubleshooter, follow the given steps. 

1. In the left corner of your screen, Tap the screen button, then type “troubleshoot.” 
2. In the search results, Click “Troubleshooting.” 
3. Tap “Fix problems with Windows Update”.
4. Tap “Next.”
5. Wait for the detection process to be complete.
6. In case any problem or error is detected, follow the on-screen instructions of the troubleshooter to fix them.

2. Reset Windows Update Components

Windows 7 Logo; How to Fix Windows 7 Won’t Update | Causes & Fixes

As and when you notice that your Windows update may not be working properly due to corrupted Windows update components on your computer. You need to reset those components to do away with the said error. 

1.  In the left corner of your screen, Tap the screen button and type start. 
2. Right-click cmd.exe and select Run as administrator.
3. At Command Prompt, type the following lines of command and press Enter on your keyboard after typing each: 
4. At Command Prompt, type these lines of command and press Enter after typing each in Command Prompt: 
5. At Command Prompt, type these commands and press Enter after each: 

3. Install the Updates For Your System Manually

Windows 7 logo;  How to Fix Windows 7 Won’t Update | Causes & Fixes

If the above two fixes do not work for you. In such a case, you can install the updates for your System manually. 

1. Tap the Start button given in the left corner of your screen. Then type “information.” 
2. Tap System Information.
3. Note down the value system in the System Information Window. 
4. Tap view update history on Windows update. 
5. Write down the code of the updates that failed to install.
6. Go to the Microsoft Update Catalog and search for the update that failed to install
7 Find the update that matches your system type (x86-, x64- or ARM64-based) in the search result.  Then click Download next to that update.
8. Tap the link on the new window to download the update.
9. Open the file you have just downloaded and follow the on-screen instructions to install the update.

4. Disable BitLocker Drive Encryption

Windows 7 logo; How to Fix Windows 7 Won’t Update | Causes & Fixes

In this case, the BitLocker Driver Encryption is enabled. You first need to disable it and then proceed to download the update manually. To accomplish this task, follow the given steps. 

1. Click Start
2. Go to the Control Panel
3. Select System and Security
4. Tap BitLocker Drive Encryption
5. Select Suspend Protection (you may be prompted to select Yes to confirm)
As you are done with installing the update, repeat the steps above to re-enable the BitLocker Drive Encryption.

5. Download Internet Explorer

Download the Internet Explorer 11, it will help you in downloading the Windows 7 updates manually from the Microsoft Update Catalog.

Internet Explorer is one of the most reliable sources to download Windows updates. 

Remember: in case, you try to open the Microsoft Catalog with another browser, these downloads will not work in such a case. 

6. Download Windows 7 Update Manually 

Windows 7 logo; How to Fix Windows 7 Won’t Update | Causes & Fixes

Another way to fix Windows 7 won’t update is to download Windows  7 update manually. Follow the given steps to update it manually. 

1. Change the Windows update settings to Never Check For Updates.
2. Tap on the Start button and type Services to open it.
3. As you find it.  Right-click on Windows Update (service) and select Stop. Close the Windows update window. If you fail to close it, use the task manager by right-clicking on the taskbar and ending the taskbar. 
4. Now, visit this site and download all the updates available there on your desktop.
5. Double-click and start each one at a time. Do not be surprised if one or more respond with already installed.
6. Do not Restart your PC after each update finishes.
7. Restart and wait till the Windows update process is completed. Your computer will restart automatically.
8. Open the Windows update again and wait till you see the percentage at the bottom. 

Windows 7 Won’t Update

The Windows 7 won’t update error is not due to any one of the reasons. Even after facing this problem, you can fix this issue. The video below explains, in detail, the ways and methods you can try to resolve this issue. 

Wrapping Up

So what we know so far is that there can be one or more causes that can lead to the Windows 7 won’t update error. However, the cause of the said error can vary from case to case. But the good thing is that it can be fixed without resorting to any external help. All you need is to follow the standard ways of fixing to fix this error. 

You might have known the ways and the ways to fix it by going through the article. You can visit our website for more content related to tech and much more. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Q 1: What causes the Windows 7 won’t update error? 

Ans: Installing Windows 7 with a Service Pack 1, Microsoft has made changes to Windows Update, the PC doesn’t have enough storage, and Windows 7 has wrong configured settings. 

Q 2: How to fix Windows 7 won’t update error? 

Ans: Run the Windows update troubleshooter, reset the Windows update components, Install the updates for your system manually, Disable BitLocker encryption, Download Internet Explorer, and Download the Windows 7 update manually. 

Q 3: Can I use Microsoft Update Catalog with another browser? 

Ans: Once you use Microsoft Update Catalog with another browser, the downloads will not work at all. 

Shikha Tyagi

Shikha is a technology lover, enthusiastic science teacher and a full-time mom. Her love for playing with words has brought her to Path of EX. Shikha can easily convert complex technical terms into easy languages. Moreover, her expertise in understanding errors makes troubleshooting super-easy for her readers.

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