[KB3464] Why are Microsoft automatic updates hanging in Windows XP?

Issue

  • System freezes when attempting to run Windows automatic update

Attention

This article was created in quick response to an emerging issue. In some cases, the steps below may not resolve this issue.

Solution

End of support for Windows 7 / XP / Vista

This content references an operating system (OS) that Microsoft no longer supports or will soon stop supporting. Although ESET is committed to providing support for our products on any system, we do not advocate using an OS that no longer receives security patches. For more information about the Microsoft policy and upgrading your OS, visit our Knowledgebase article.

If you are experiencing slow performance from your Windows XP computer while downloading and installing automatic Windows updates, your issue may be resolved by manually updating Microsoft Internet Explorer 8. To do so, follow the steps below:

  1. If you are not able to access the Internet on your computer because of this issue, restart your computer.
     
  2. Disable Windows automatic updates.
     
  3. Download and install the following update for Microsoft Internet Explorer 8:
  4. Restart your computer.
     
  5. Re-enable Windows automatic updates.

 If after performing the steps above you are still not able to receive automatic Windows updates, please contact Microsoft Support for further assistance.