Unable to perform Windows Vista Update (Generic Issue w/ any error code)

Cause: Corrupted SoftwareDistribution Folder in C:\Windows.

Resolution:

  1. Disable Windows Update Service.
    1. Click Perl button and type services.msc and select services. Click continue for UAC prompt.
    2. In the Service Window, Select and right click Windows Update. Select Properties.
    3. In the properties window, Drop down the Startup type menu and select Disable. Then click stop button as shown in the screenshots below.
      Service stop
  2. Rename SoftwareDistribution Folder.
    1. Click Perl button and click Computer.
    2. In Computer, double click to open C:
    3. In C:, Double click to open Windows Folder.
    4. In Windows folder, Right click “SoftwareDistribution” folder and select Rename
    5. Rename the folder as SoftwareDistribution.old. User will be prompted with a message similar to Destination Folder access Denied. Click continue to make the change. This is as shown below
      .
      NOTE: Windows should automatically recreate “SoftwareDistribution” folder the moment user closes Windows folder and opens it again from C:
      Proceed to Step 6 only if SoftwareDistribution folder is not created. Otherwise Step 6 is not necessary.
    6. Create a new folder in C:\Windows and name the folder as SoftwareDistribution. (Name of the folder is very important and this folder will be empty).
    7. Click Continue to proceed creating a new SoftwareDIstribution folder.
  3. Restart Windows Update Service.
    1. Click Perl button and type services.msc. Select services from the index search.
    2. In Services Window, Select and right click Windows Update. Click properties.
    3. In properties window, drop down the startup type as Automatic and click start button to start the service.
  4. Restart the PC and perform Windows Update again.
    Caution: Above mentioned steps will clear the Windows Update View History Log on GUI.

TKB:1053