Windows Update Settings and Error Message:

[Kick]

Hi,

Being fed up with Microsoft's attempts to coerce me into installing Windows 10, which I do not want on my Windows 7 Desktop, I have set Windows Update as 'Download updates but let me choose whether to install them'. Since doing this I have found one optional update relating to C++ which I have installed with no problems. However, if I do a manual check for updates an error is generated as follows:

Windows Update Error:

Windows could not search for new updates

An error occurred while checking
for new updates for your computer.

Error(s) found:

Code 80244019 Windows Update encountered an unknown error.
Get help with this error

Previously, with Windows Update set to 'Automatic', I have maintained control over what Windows installs on my system by undertaking manual searches on 'Patch Tuesday' at around 18:30 UK time which means the updates are usually ready but not yet released in the UK. In this way I have been able to choose what to hide and what to install If I should slip up with this method I could find on the day following 'Patch Tuesday' that Microsoft has installed updates I don't want along with the security updates etc.

My question, therefore, is does this error always appear if the user attempts to carry out a manual check for updates when Windows Update is set as 'Download updates but let me choose whether to install them'? certainly when I go back to automatic updates the error no longer shows when I undertake manual checks.

I would appreciate any advice, thanks, Kick.

 

[Plastic Nev]

Hi Kick, I have my update system set to "Check for updates, but let me choose whether to download and install them" I have always had it set that way and so far no problems or errors.
The only thing that started happening recently is that I no longer get a notification that updates are available, so I have to check if there are any updates manually every now and then.
Have you tried the "Get help with this error"? Quite often there is Microsoft fixit available!

Nev.

 

[Kick]

Hi Nev,

Thanks for your quick reply.

This is weird but following your advice I tried a manual search for updates to recreate the error message - guess what, it didn't return but Windows Update checked for updates, found none (as I would have expected seeing I had only recently had the C++ update) and behaved perfectly normally.

I suppose that's Windows for you 'expect the unexpected and don't expect the expected'.

Cheers, Kick.

 

[Kick]

Hi,

Guess what, the error returned today but I resolved it by following instructions I found at http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Windows-Update-error-80070422-80244019-or-8DDD0018 . The cause of the problem seems to relate to me undertaking a Disk Cleanup in which I also clean system files. The latter is set to include Windows Update Cleanup wherein, I believe, lies the problem. I know Windows Update Cleanup could be disabled but I don't believe I should have to do that. I have Windows Update set to download files but let me choose which files I install - I don't want to have Windows 10 related updates thrust at me so I prefer to have at least this amount of control to allow me to hide the unwanted ones.

I have now edited the error instructions to suit me and filed them for future use as I am sure this problem will happen again. I wonder if I set Windows Update just to warn me when updates are available and let me choose which to download and install, if that would resolve the Windows Update Cleanup problem. Perhaps junk from the hidden, unwanted updates is cluttering the system - any thoughts on this? I would be grateful to hear the ideas of those more knowledgeable about Windows foibles than myself.

Cheers and best wishes for 2016 - I hope American colleagues on the east coast aren't too snowed under.

Regards, Kick.

 

[allheart55 (Cindy E)]

Thanks for letting us know, Kick. I think you have hit the nail on the head.
I always have Windows Update set to warn me when updates are available.
Then I pick and choose which to install.