I got a new PC with Vista Home Premium installed and started updating windows and installing programs, but about half of the updates downloaded but failed to install.

Windows update says that the PC is up to date even though in the update history lots of the updates say failed under status. In installed updates the successful ones are listed are expected.

How can I install the many updates that failed as they are important?

I tried stopping the windows update service and renaming the Sofware Distribution file in the Windows folder but that did not work - all that happened is that the update history list was cleared.

I also tried a fix on another website using the cmd console but it just said access denied - the shift-ctrl-enter would not work!

Does anyone have any ideas?

Just though I'd add that I am using windows firewall and AVG antivirus.

Also got ad-aware 2008, spybot S&D and a-squared free installed if it's relevant.

Hello Julian Ooi,

Do you have a list of the updates that didn't install? You may have to go to windows and download each update manually.

Yes the update history says which ones failed. I'll try downloading and updating manually.

Thanks!

No problem, glad to help.

Downloaded the updates and tried to install manually by clicking on the .exe files, but they did not install saying 'the update does not apply to your system'. I tried many of them and they all said the same.

Does this mean that I don't need these updates?

That is strange, Navigate to Add/remove programs and see if the files you are trying to install are already there, you may have to select show updates.

The failed updates are not in installed updates (add/remove programs) but I have found the files from the updates are in the C:\Windows\servicing\Packages folder.

If the updates are in the folder then it is most likely that they have already been installed.

Then why does it say failed under update history?

I'm not 100% sure, but it could be that the files are already installed and Windows Update, for some reason, is trying to install them again and not succeeding.

OK, thanks for your help!

No problem, glad to help.