Critical Update for Windows Vista Not Downloading

[Margo1]

Hello. I am trying to download the Windows Update regarding the Ransomware malware to my Windows Vista computer. I have not received Windows updates in a while.

When I check for updates, the screen which says "Checking for updates" goes on and on and no updates ever come up. Can someone guide me on how I can download this critical update?

PS: I definitely do not have this update. It was not downloaded in March.

[Riddle_Decipher · Accepted solution]

@Margo1

Welcome to the HP Forums 🙂 

I would like to take a moment and thank you for using this forum, it is a great place to find answers. 

As I understand the critical Update for Windows Vista Not Downloading

No worries, as I'll be glad to help you, that said, I'll need a few more details to dissect your concern & provide an accurate solution: 

What is the product number of your product? Use this link to find it: https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/ish_2039298-1862169-16

Do you have any issues related to the ransomware?

While you respond to that, here's what you should know:

If there's no update available on windows, you don't have to worry about installing any such updates,

that said, here's more information about the Ransomware and how you can prevent it:

You should:

• Install and use an up-to-date antivirus solution (such as Microsoft Security Essentials).

• Make sure your software is up-to-date.

• Avoid clicking on links or opening attachments or emails from people you don't know or companies you don't do business with.

• Ensure you have smart screen (in Internet Explorer) turned on.

• Have a pop-up blocker running in your web browser.

• Regularly backup your important files.

You can backup your files with a cloud storage service that keeps a history or archive of your files, such as OneDrive which is now fully integrated into Windows 10 and Windows 8.1, and Microsoft Office.

After you've removed the ransomware infection from your computer, you can restore previous, unencrypted versions of your Office files using "version history".

CLICK HERE FOR MORE STEPS AND INSTRUCTIONS.

(The above link is 3rd party and is not owned by HP, I've posted this only so that I may help you resolve this issue by going beyond by support boundaries, please ignore the ads and take only the free suggestions)

Keep me posted for further assistance 😉

[mdklassen]

> When I check for updates, the screen which says "Checking for updates" goes on and on and no updates ever come up.

> Can someone guide me on how I can download this critical update?

> PS: I definitely do not have this update. It was not downloaded in March.

On most PCs, e.g., 2 Ghz to 3 Ghz, with a dual-core CPU, when you run Windows Update on Microsoft Vista, it will take between 7 days and 10 days of "24/7" processing (no hibernation, no sleeping, no timed shutdown) for Windows Update to identify the required updates. 

This is due to the very CPU-intensive processing that it seems to require, under Vista.

There is no known "work-around" for this situation.  

However, if you want to download just the one update to "close" the security-hole that WannaCrypt exploits, this will work:

1. Start Windows Update

2. Click "Change Settings"

3. Choose to "Never install updates (not recommended)"

4. Click "OK"

5. Shutdown and restart

6. Download the one specific update, either the 32-bit or the 64-bit version, as appropriate.

7. Double-click on the update, to run it. Within a minute or two, the update will start to install, and will complete, at a "normal" speed for an update.

8. Repeat #1 and #2, and then re-enable updates.

9. Repeat #4 & #5.

10. Investigate the purchase of a new, replacement, computer.  In the coming months, there will be other computer-viruses that will be targeted at Windows Vista systems.

Done.

[mdklassen]

> You should:

• Install and use an up-to-date antivirus solution (such as Microsoft Security Essentials).

Microsoft Security Essentials is no longer available for download from Microsoft, now that Windows Vista has achieved its "sunset" date.

If you do install it, it will DISABLE its "real-time scanning", and no anti-virus updates can be downloaded.

This makes it totally useless.

• Make sure your software is up-to-date.

That is the problem that the author is experiencing -- Windows Update is *VERY* *SLOW* to run.

• Avoid clicking on links or opening attachments or emails from people you don't know or companies you don't do business with.

Good advice.  In fact, if the computer of a person (or a company) you DO know has been compromised, and you get an attachment from that computer, it could be malicious.

• Ensure you have smart screen (in Internet Explorer) turned on.

It is "on", by default.

• Have a pop-up blocker running in your web browser.

Internet Explorer has a built-in one, that is enabled.

• Regularly backup your important files

Good advice.

[TheWindowsGeek]

You may not be recieving updates due to vista ending support. I do not belive that is the case since Microsoft does not normaly do that.

Best Regards, Damon

[mdklassen]

> You may not be receiving updates due to Microsoft ending support for Vista.

That is not correct.  Under Vista, Windows Update still works, but, as I wrote, above, it takes a loooooooooooooong time for it to run.  The "final" updates for Vista were released on Tuesday April 11, 2017.  If you update Vista, it will download the security-update to block the 'WannaCry' malicious software.

> I do not believe that is the case, since Microsoft does not normally do that.

I agree.  The respository for Windows Update still contains all the updates for Windows XP and Windows Vista.

[Margo1]

Thank you for the information.

I was able to download the update from the Microsoft Update Catalog. I do NOT have any issues with the WannaCrypt.

[mdklassen]

>  I do NOT have any issues with the WannaCrypt.

Good.  That security-update (from March 2017, when Microsoft still supported Vista) is working to prevent the exploit that WannaCry/WannaCrypt was leveraging.