Microsoft Update has become VERY slow

[Nathan Sokalski]

When I go to the Microsoft Update website to check for updates (I have to
check for updates for Windows XP, Office 2003, SQL Server, and Visual Studio
2005), it seems much slower than it used to. When I go there, I usually
select Custom because I not only like to see what updates are being
downloaded, but I usually like to get most of the updates from the optional
software and hardware categories as well as the high priority updates. I
never actually timed how long it takes after clicking the Custom button, but
I could probably walk to the end of the street and back before it finishes.
I have not noticed a decrease in speed for anything else that uses the
Internet. Has anybody else noticed an increase in how long Microsoft Update
takes? Is there anything on my computer that might be causing this? My
computer uses the following:

Windows XP Professional SP2
Internet Explorer 6.0
Verizon Online DSL

 

[Rock]

When I go to the Microsoft Update website to check for updates (I have to
check for updates for Windows XP, Office 2003, SQL Server, and Visual
Studio 2005), it seems much slower than it used to. When I go there, I
usually select Custom because I not only like to see what updates are
being downloaded, but I usually like to get most of the updates from the
optional software and hardware categories as well as the high priority
updates. I never actually timed how long it takes after clicking the
Custom button, but I could probably walk to the end of the street and back
before it finishes. I have not noticed a decrease in speed for anything
else that uses the Internet. Has anybody else noticed an increase in how
long Microsoft Update takes? Is there anything on my computer that might
be causing this? My computer uses the following:

You might want to look through the posts in and if needed post to the
windows update newsgroup.
news://msnews.microsoft.com/microsoft.public.windowsupdate

 

[PA Bear]

How to troubleshoot Windows Update, Microsoft Update, and Windows Server
Update Services installation issues:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=906602

1. See the "Need more help? Tell us what problem you are having" section of
http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=ph;en-us;6527

2. You cannot install some updates or programs
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;822798

3a. Check Windowsupdate.log (%windir%\Windowsupdate.log) for errors
associated with the download/install.

How to read the Windowsupdate.log file:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=902093

3b. Compare errors to those listed here:
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/archive/windows_update_codes.htm and/or go to
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com > click on Help and Support link in left
pane > Solve problems on your own.

4. Windows Update Checklist:
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/updtcl.htm

5. Windows Update-specific newsgroup:
news://msnews.microsoft.com/mi­crosoft.public.windowsupdate

Archive of Windows Update newsgroup:
http://groups-beta.google.com/group/microsoft.public.windowsupdate