Automatic Updating

[Guest]

Hi. I usually check for updates on the Microsoft update site. I also turn on
automatic updates to download everyday. Today, I found many updates that
needed to be download(priority). When I checked back at the computer 4hrs
after the schelduled time, the computer never downloaded the updates. Why is
that? Why does it take so long to download updates? It usualy does this for
5-6 days everytime there are updates.

Thx

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

All computers set for Automatic Update can not get the updates at the same
time.
There is not enough available bandwidth for Microsoft to deliver the updated
to all computers worldwide at the same time.
Depending on bandwidth, it may take some time for the updates to download
and install.
If you want the updates now, go to Windows Update and you can install them
immediately.

 

[Guest]

O. Thx. So you mean that everytime I update, i't will take about 5 days to
get them because all users around the world need to get them at the same
time. Thx . Never thought of that

 

[Maurice N ~ MVP]

Jupiter never said it would take 5 days! Last Tuesday's update was especially heavy, and big response delays were sure to happen.

The fact that "you" appear to have a multi-day issue is something for you to research on. Look at your windows update log. See the entries for the day involved.

As to speed or access issues: Even having broadband internet service will not guarantee the rapidity of the delivery of updates to your system. On my broadband connection, an on-line express scan at Windows Update is slow on Windows Update monthly Tuesday updates.

On your Automatic Updates schedule: It could well be the process re-scheduled the run for the next day. Again, you have to look at the log.

Suggest: Set Automatic Updates to "only" notify of updates, but not download automatically. Suggest you make a visit using IE browser to Windows Update site the 2nd Tuesday of each month, "after" about 4 to 5 PM Pacific. (They tend to release updates in the afternoon, IIRC). The other suggestion is to make a W U run after 10 PM your local time.

See KB 902093 How to read the Windowsupdate.log file
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/902093

Use Wordpad and open & look at the Windows Update log file
C:\WINNT\WindowsUpdate.log

(note your Windows folder may be at \Windows)

Scroll down all the way. You are looking for entries marked "Error" such as 0x......... (where ...... are numbers)

You may find one or more of these "failures":
1) connection issues
2) services not running on your machine
3) time out issues
4) failure during scan
5) failure during download
6) other Error(s)

--
Maurice N
MVP Windows - Shell / User