How many people have never had a windows update problem of some nature, pretty much everyone at some stage has suffered from this annoyance.

The first few things to check are..

Make sure your using a version of Internet Explorer which is later than version 5, if not you’ll need to update this first.

Also make sure you clear your internet temporary files, cookies and history this will ensure you are not receiving any cached information when updating.

Make sure your pc will accept the Cookie from the Microsoft update website, otherwise you will not be allowed to update.

Now try and see if the Windows update problem has been resolved.

Probably the most common reason to get a Microsoft Update Error is a security restriction within Internet Explorer. To begin with add Microsoft to your safe sites list, in case it’s being blocked from here.

To do this launch Internet Explorer, Tools Menu, Internet Options, Security, Trusted Sites and add http://*.microsoft.com you may need to remove the tick in Require Server Verification to be able to add this.

Try the Windows update again

Next we need to look into ActiveX errors which are a common problem when getting Microsoft update errors Select View > Internet Options > Security > Custom Settings and select the following.

ActiveX Controls and Plug-ins

Script ActiveX controls market safe for Scripting Enable

Run ActiveX controls and plugins Enable

Download signed ActiveX controls Enable

Download unsigned ActiveX controls Prompt

Initialize and script ActiveX controls Prompt

Java

Java Permissions Medium safety

Scripting

Active scripting Enable

Scripting of Java applets Enable

Downloads

File download Enable

Font download Enable

User Authentication

Logon Automatic logon only in Intranet zone

Miscellaneous

Submit non-encrypted form data Enable

Launching applications and files….. Prompt

Installation of desktop Items Prompt

Drag and drop or copy and paste files Enable

Software channel permissions Medium safety

Other factors which can cause Microsoft update errors include, Firewalls, both software and hardware based, General operating system access, Internet explorer corrupt.

After checking for firewall and operating system restrictions the last cause of action is to simply run a repair across Internet Explorer , checkout our other article for this.

computer adviser Windows update problem article