With so many different programs on your computer, all completing for your attention an all wanting to do something, it is sometimes hard to keep track of whats needs your time.

Windows Updates are one of those important things which get forgot about often, but it doesn’t make them any less important.

When companies like Microsoft release large software packages like Office and Windows they have been well tested, but they are always finding things to improve on.

After the release of software and a lot of the time for the life of the software a reputable company will release updates for that software as they develop them for security and functional reasons.

A lot can be said for Windows Updates, some people complain their computers doesn’t work as well after updating, other claim to be slower, but for the most parts Windows updates are there to make your computer run better and more secure.

Today I went to a customers house whose Windows Updates where not running at all. The thing is you need your updates to be working to make sure you have the latest software to accomodate other software packages such as iTunes and Office.

But sometimes Windows Updates are not working and it can be for a number of reasons.

Malicious Software

Programs like Viruses and Malware on your computer can sometimes affect your operating systems and in doing so stop the services needed to run your Windows Updates.

Running a good Virus Scanner Like Norton or AVG can identify threats on your computer affecting Windows Updates.

 

Conflicting Software

You probably don’t realise it but you are often putting new files onto your computer in the form of other updates, app installs and so on.

All the different programs on your computer are made by different companies all over the work and they do not communicate well with each to make sure they all work in harmony.

Unknowingly you could install a program on your computer whoah unintentionally stops the Windows Updates on your computer and identifying when the problem first started can help you determine the what to remove on your computer to make it run well again.

 

Restarting the Service and Renaming the Software Distribution Folder

Sometimes the simplest option can be the best.

For whatever reason your Windows has stop updating itself, sometimes just restarting the service and doing a quick clean can fix the problem.

Try this:

Open command prompt as an Administrator and type:

1. net stop wuauserv
2. cd %systemroot%
3. ren SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
4. net start wuauserv

Then restart your computer.