Windows Update cannot currently check for updates, because the service is not running. You may need to restart your computer. The above is the message I get every time I click on "Check for updates" on Windows Update. When I bring up the Windows Update, there is a big cross with a red background on the screen. The setting is set to "Install updates automatically (recommended)". I have restarted the computer a number of times. And I also checked and ensured the Windows Update service had started. However I still ggt the same error message.

Thanks for your help! When I went through your steps I found a new problem. The system had run out of space. Needless to say, problems remain. I investigated and I posted at http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7itprogeneral/thread/085bef4d-aea2-44d0-bba8-6e09948bad94/. That could be the cause of the problem.

Hi, I have the same problem and I resolved it after performing the following steps: Go to Start ==> Run Type in "services.msc" and press enter ==>Look for "Windows Update" ==>Right click it and select Stop ==>Go to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\ and delete everything in it==> Start services.msc again and right click Windows Update again and select Start. Best Regards. Oussama Oueslati | System Engineer | vNext Consulting