[SOLVED] Windows Update keeps asking me to restart over and over again

StevenR · Oct 24, 2015

Hi,

Since last Saturday I have had a problem with Windows Update. I was prompted to install 18 updates (for both Windows and Office), which I did. Since then, Windows Update keeps telling me to 'Restart your computer to install important updates'. No matter how many times I reboot, it still wants me to reboot again next time!

Things I've tried so far (if I can remember them all!):

1. Downloaded and ran (maybe 10 times in total) the Windows Update troubleshooter from Microsoft - also ran in Safe Mode. This seems to detect and fix problems but doesn't fix my problem
2. Downloaded and ran Microsoft Fixit 50123 - no joy either
3. Downloaded and ran your SFC tool - SUMMARY: No corruptions were detected.
4. Checked C:\Windows\softwaredistribution\WuRedir and there are 2 folders in there
5. Checked C:\Windows\WindowsUpdate.log but it doesn't mean much to me :-(

I think this could be linked to my PC trying to download Windows 10 - I'm on Windows 7 now. I installed the updates last Saturday around 13:50 and I now have the $Windows.~BT folder on my C drive which was created at 14:20 the same day.

My CBS.zip file is 56 Mb so I think I'll have to use your large file uploader to add that shortly!

SFCFix.txt attached below.

Thanks
Steven

StevenR · Oct 25, 2015

I did upload my CBS log files yesterday using SFCFix.exe but for some reason they haven't appeared? :huh:

Aura · Oct 28, 2015

Hi StevenR :)

My name is Aura and I'll be assisting you with your issue. Follow the instructions below please.

System File Checker (SFC)
Follow the instructions below to run a SFC scan on your system and to provide the CBS log in your next reply;

On Windows Vista & 7, click on the Windows Start Menu, then enter cmd in the search box, right-click on the cmd icon and select

Run as Administrator
On Windows 8, drag your cursor in the bottom-left corner, and right-click on the metro menu preview, then select Command Prompt (Admin);
On Windows 8.1, right click on the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner and select Command Prompt (Admin);
Enter the command below and press on Enter;
Code:
```
sfc /scannow
```
Note: There's a space between "sfc" and "/scannow";
Once the scan is complete, enter the command below and press on Enter
Code:
```
copy %windir%\logs\cbs\cbs.log "%userprofile%\Desktop\cbs.txt"
```
A file called cbs.txt will have appeared on your Desktop. Upload the file on Dropbox, Google Drive or OneDrive and post the download URL for it here;

Note: Please note that the CBS.log is volatile, which means that if you don't upload it after the SFC scan is completed, it won't have the information from the scan anymore. So archive it and upload it as soon as you can.

StevenR · Oct 31, 2015

Hi Aura,

Thanks for your response and apologies for my late reply!

I've done as you asked and uploaded cbs.txt to my Dropbox:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/pc6nz7e48iwh1hv/cbs.txt?dl=0

Thanks in advance
Steven

Aura · Oct 31, 2015

Alright SFC didn't report anything. Let's see if SURT have anything to tell us :)

System Update Readiness Tool (SURT) - Scan
Follow the instructions below to run a scan with the System Update Readiness Tool (SURT) and provide a log;

Download the right version of SURT for your system;
- Your version of Windows is:
Once downloaded, execute the installer, and go throught the installation (this process can take around 15-20 minutes);
On completion, a log will be created in C:\Windows\Logs\CBS\CheckSUR.log;
Attach this log in your next reply;

Alternatively, if these instructions are unclear for you, you can follow the tutorial below.

System Update Readiness Tool (SURT)

StevenR · Nov 1, 2015

Hi Aura,

I've actually run this tool before

Please see attached - everything looks OK.

Thanks
Steven

Aura · Nov 1, 2015

Alright that's good. Follow the instructions below please.

SoftwareDistribution - Rename
Follow the instructions below to rename the folders in SoftwareDistribution.

On Windows Vista & 7, click on the Windows Start Menu, then enter cmd in the search box, right-click on the cmd icon and select

Run as Administrator
On Windows 8, drag your cursor in the bottom-left corner, and right-click on the metro menu preview, then select Command Prompt (Admin);
On Windows 8.1, right click on the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner and select Command Prompt (Admin);

Enter the commands below one at the time (press Enter to send it);

Code:

net stop wuauserv
ren %SystemRoot%\SoftwareDistribution\Download DL.bak
ren %SystemRoot%\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore DS.bak
net start wuauserv

StevenR · Nov 1, 2015

Hi again,

I've renamed those folders. Windows Update is still telling me I need to restart, should I do so or do you need some other log file(s)?

Thanks
Steven

Aura · Nov 1, 2015

No, please restart your computer and tell me if Windows Update keeps on asking you to restart even after that :)

StevenR · Nov 1, 2015

OK, I've rebooted but it's just the same I'm afraid :sad:

Aura · Nov 1, 2015

If you go in your list of installed updates (history), which updates just installed when you restarted your computer?

StevenR · Nov 1, 2015

There's nothing in my history now and there weren't any messages about updates being installed when I rebooted :huh:

Aura · Nov 1, 2015

Alright, go in your Windows Update panel and click on Check for updates. What is being returned after the search?

StevenR · Nov 1, 2015

It's the same problem as before - it says Windows Update cannot check for updates as I need to restart the computer so that a previous installation can be completed :banghead:

Aura · Nov 1, 2015

Follow the instructions below please.

Retrieving the COMPONENTS Hive
Follow the instructions below to retrieve your COMPONENTS Hive and send me it.

Open your Windows Explorer, and navigate to the C:\Windows\System32\Config folder;
In this folder, find the COMPONENTS file (there's no extension), and copy it to your Desktop;
Note: If you receive an error message saying that the COMPONENTS file is in use, restart your computer and try again. If the error message persist, let me know.
Right-click on it, and select Send to... and choose Compressed (zipped) folder;
Upload the file on Dropbox, Google Drive or OneDrive and post the download URL for it here;

StevenR · Nov 2, 2015

Hi Aura,

Thanks for your reply.

Please see below:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/6jwq2yiquq9txm3/components.zip?dl=0

Thanks
Steven

Aura · Nov 3, 2015

Can you upload the following file for me please?

C:\Windows\WinSxS\pending.xml

StevenR · Nov 6, 2015

Hi Aura,

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you.

I'm afraid that file doesn't exist. I only have these:

pending.xml.01cc59ab55426c8c
pending.xml.01cc89ecdc00b5dc
pending.xml.01d000345bb8612a

but the first two are from 2011 and the last one is from November 2014!

Thanks
Steven

Aura · Nov 7, 2015

Alright then, follow the instructions below please.

Windows Repair All-In-One
NOTE: Before following to step below, please disable your Antivirus software or any other real-time security software that you have enabled.

Boot in Safe Mode with Networking;
Download the portable version of Windows Repair All-In-One;
Move the file (archive) on your Desktop, and extract it there;
Go in the tweaking.com_windows_repair_aio folder, then Tweaking.com - Windows Repair folder, right-click on Repair_Windows.exe and select Run as Administrator;
From there, click on the Next button until you are presented with an Open Repairs button and click on it;
Let the Registry back up complete, and move on to the check-list window;
Click on the Unselect All button at the bottom, then check the following items:
- Repair Windows Updates;
- Remove Temporary Files;
Once done, click on the Start Repairs button and let the scan execute;
If you are being prompted with a Security Warning, allow it to go through;
Once the repair is complete, it'll ask you to restart your computer, please do it;

StevenR · Nov 7, 2015

Hi Aura,

Thanks for getting back to me.

I ran the repairs as you suggested and then restarted, but I still had the same problem. So I repeated the steps, but still nothing has changed

[SOLVED] Windows Update keeps asking me to restart over and over again

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