Microsoft Update Catalog won’t download and install updates [FIXED]
The Microsoft Update Catalog is an important service for users of Microsoft software. Not only does it provide a listing of all crucial updates for the applications but it also serves as a one-stop store for all essential hardware drivers and Microsoft hotfixes.
And so it becomes a problem when it starts bringing errors such as the notorious Microsoft update catalog won’t install/ won’t download when attempting tasks such as downloading and installing drivers/updates over a corporate network.
This is especially a huge challenge because numerous other Microsoft’s services and technologies get information and relevant updates solely from the Microsoft Update catalog.
Well, our team has been analyzing this tool and has in the process discovered several working fixes for the error. Here they are.
How To Solve The Microsoft Update Catalog Won’t Download
Solution 1: Disable Pop-up Blocker
The pop-up blocker in Internet Explorer and seems to be fond of preventing the numerous update catalog files from downloading in some machines.
Disabling it can change the situation. Here is how:
In Microsoft Internet Explorer
- Open Microsoft Internet Explorer.
- Click on Tools then Internet Options on the menu bar.
- Press on the Privacy (see the screenshot after step 4).
- Uncheck on the checkbox placed below Pop-up Blocker. This will disable the blocker.
- Click Apply and Ok to save these changes.
In Microsoft Edge Browser
- Open Edge.
- Click on the More button (the three dots near the top right).
- Click on Settings as shown.
- Scroll down until you see View Advanced Settings and click.
- Drag the slider below the Block pop-ups tab to the left. Again this deactivates the pop-ups.
You can retry to access the Microsoft update catalog services.
Solution 2: Use An Alternative Browser
For many years, the Update catalog website was exclusively working only on Internet Explorer. But now the modern day iteration of the site supports other popular browsers pretty well.
Plus, it no longer needs an ActiveX control so you can try to download updates using Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Opera or any of your favorite internet browsers if the error won’t budge.
We recommend using an all-in-one browser with powerful privacy features and customizable settings that allow you to be in complete control of your browsing experience.
Solution 3: Turn off Existing Browser Add-ons
Some add-ons carry an inherent compatibility risk which occasionally causes your browser to reject downloads.
Turning them off could thus open the door to a successful installation of demanded updates, drivers, and hotfixes.
Steps:
In Internet Explorer
- Open Internet Explorer then click on the Tools
- Now click Manage add-ons.
- Under the Show dropdown, select All add-ons (Check the next screenshot).
- Now select all the adds-on marked Enabled and select Disable to turn them off.
- Close.
In Microsoft Edge
Adds-on are called extensions in Edge and have been supported by the browser since the Windows 10 Anniversary Update.
- Open Microsoft Edge.
- Click on More (…)to access the menu.
- Choose Extensions on the menu.
- Right-click on the extensions that could be causing problems and select turn off.
Solution 4: Adjust System’s Date and Time
If the date/time is showing incorrect values, adjust them appropriately including the time zone.
Steps:
Windows 7
- Simultaneously press Windows + R keys on the keyboard.
- Type “control” on the run dialog box.
- The control panel will open. Search for date/time by typing time in the control panel search dialog and click on the Date and Time.
- Update the date, time, plus the time zone
- Save the changes.
Window 8/8.1
- Press Windows+I Keys to open the Settings on the Charms bar.
- Select Change PC Settings in the Settings window.
- Now click Time and Language.
- Press change Data & Time.
- Adjust as necessary.
Windows 10
- The time icon is located in the bottom-right side of your screen. Right-click on it and choose Adjust Date/Time.
- On the left-hand side of the new window that pops up, click the Date/time
- Click Change under the Change date and time area.
- Update the two settings as necessary.
Method 5: Run Windows Update Troubleshooter
Sometimes the problem is removed by running the Microsoft update troubleshooter. Launch it and see if it will help.
Steps:
Windows 10
- Download the Windows 10 Update Troubleshooter . Choose either Open or Save when prompted by the pop-up window.
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If you choose Save, you will need to navigate to the downloads folder (of the folder where your files are downloaded to and then double-click the wu.diagcab file to start the troubleshooter (you can also right-click it and select open).
- Select Next then follow the steps to eliminate Windows Update catalog issues.
Windows 8.1
- Press on the Windows key and type Network problems.
- Click Identify and repair network problems from the results list.
- Follow the next steps as per the wizard.
- Try to run the necessary Windows Update again.
Windows 7
- Right-click on the Network icon (in Window’s 7 notification area) then choose Troubleshoot problems.
- Follow the next steps as per the wizard.
- Try to run the Update afresh.
Method 6: Repair The Update Database
At times Windows update catalog malfunctions because it’s installing some updates to a corrupted Windows update database.
The solution is to open the Command Prompt as an administrator and effecting some database troubleshooting commands.
First Open Command Prompt by following these steps:
Windows 7
- Click start and Type cmd in the search dialogue.
- In the results, right-click on cmd and pick run as administrator.
Windows 8 and 10
- Right-click the Start button (or press Windows+X).
- The Power Users menu comes up. Select Command Prompt (Admin).
The Commands
Type these commands one-by-one in the order given. Press the Enter key after each entry.
- net stop wuauserv
- net stop cryptSvc
- net stop bits
- net stop msiserver
- Ren C:WindowsSoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
- Ren C:WindowsSystem32catroot2 Catroot2.old
- net start wuauserv
- net start cryptSvc
- net start bits
- net start msiserver
Exit the Command Prompt and retry the update process.
Method 7: Disable Your Security Applications (Antivirus and Firewall)
We cannot rule out the possibility of the Microsoft update catalog won’t install/ won’t download
glitches coming up due to your Anti-virus software and the Firewall application installed in your system.
I hence suggest that you disable the anti-virus together with your firewall albeit temporarily.
You then try to get the updates to run with the two programs off.
Steps:
Windows Defender (Windows 10)
- Go to Start then click
- Choose Update & Security then Windows Security.
- Choose Virus and threat protection.
- Click either Manage settings or Virus /threat protection settings (depending on your version)
- Set Real-time protection Off.
Remember to re-enable the Antivirus software as soon as possible to reduce the vulnerability of your PC to attacks.
Third Party Antiviruses (In All Windows)
Most of third party antivirus protection programs can be disabled from the Windows notification corner. Steps:
- Locate the Antiviruses’ icon and right-click on it.
- Choose Disable, Shut down, Stop, exit or something of the sort to disable it. Sure, for some you to open the program’s menus but this method work for quite a number.
Turning Off The Firewall:
Windows 7
- Click Start.
- Click control panel.
- Search for the Firewall (by typing Windows Firewall in the search box).
- Tap on check firewall status.
- Select turn windows firewall off/on.
- Click turn off firewall (under the two settings).
- Click OK
Windows 10
- Click the start button.
- Type firewall.
- Select check firewall status.
- Repeat the steps 5,6, and 7 as above.
- ALSO READ: Top 5 two-way firewalls for Windows 10
Windows 8.1/8
- Press on Window button then type Control Panel to search for it.
- Click Control panel.
- Look for and Click Windows Firewall.
- Tap the tab Turn Windows Firewall off/off.
- Mark turn off firewall (again under both private & public settings).
- Click OK.
Users with different Firewall applications can check the procedure of turning them off on the manufacturer’s website.
Method 7: Check Your Internet Connection
You can also consider changing to another internet link, for example, a strong Wi-Fi. This is because some updates can never install if you’re connected to a metered internet connection and will instead indicate a Microsoft update catalog won’t install/ won’t download error.
Wait for a couple of minutes and then retry the update/download. It may be important to restart the PC in some instances.
FURTHER RECOMMENDED READING:
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- Windows Update not working on Windows 10 [Fix]
- Fix Windows Update error 0x80070003: 5 methods that really work