OK, I am not a complete idiot when it comes to computers, but I will be the first to admit that A) there are people out there who know a great deal more and B) sometimes fresh eyes help. Here's the deal.


For the last few weeks I have been fighting a losing battle with Automatic Updates. The first few times it was a simple issue with other software (still being a trial version of Office while trying to install a security patch for it, etc). Now I am lost. Every night my machine auto updates and every morning those same seven updates could not install. Here is a list of the updates failing on me if it helps.

Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer 7 for Windows Vista (KB980182)

Download size: 9.3 MB

You may need to restart your computer for this update to take effect.

Update type: Important

Security issues have been identified that could allow an attacker to compromise a system that is running Microsoft Internet Explorer and gain control over it. You can help protect your system by installing this update from Microsoft. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer.


Security Update for Movie Maker 6.0 for Windows Vista (KB975561)

Download size: 4.4 MB

You may need to restart your computer for this update to take effect.

Update type: Important

A security issue has been identified that could allow an unauthenticated remote attacker to compromise your system and gain control over it. You can help protect your system by installing this update from Microsoft. After you install this update, you may have to restart your system.

Update for Rights Management Services Client for Windows Vista (KB979099)

Download size: 3.9 MB

You may need to restart your computer for this update to take effect.

Update type: Recommended

Install this update to resolve issues caused by manifest expiration in AD RMS enabled applications. This update will fix any existing issues in addition to addressing any future application manifest expirations. After you install this item, you may have to restart any running AD RMS enabled applications.

Update for Windows Mail Junk E-mail Filter [March 2010] (KB905866)

Download size: 2.1 MB

You may need to restart your computer for this update to take effect.

Update type: Recommended

Install this update for Windows Mail to revise the definition files that are used to detect e-mail messages that should be considered junk e-mail or that may contain phishing content. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer.


Update for Windows Vista (KB975929)

Download size: 9.7 MB

You may need to restart your computer for this update to take effect.

Update type: Recommended

Both the Meiryo UI font and the Meiryo UI Bold font are included in this update. These new fonts let an application optimally display Kana characters in the Ribbon UI component and in other parts of the user interface, especially in areas where text area is limited. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer.


Update for Windows Vista (KB976264)

Download size: 2.6 MB

You may need to restart your computer for this update to take effect.

Update type: Recommended

Install this update to resolve issues with non-compatible applications for Windows Vista. For complete details of this update, see Knowledge Base Article KB976264. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer.


Update for Windows Vista (KB979306)

Download size: 1.1 MB

You may need to restart your computer for this update to take effect.

Update type: Important

Install this update to resolve issues caused by revised daylight saving time and time zone laws in several countries. This update enables your computer to automatically adjust the computer clock on the correct date in 2010. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer.


I am really at a loss. I have tried installing each on their own, with no luck. I have tried going to to the Microsoft site and no luck there either. I even looked on the thread in here for XP, but alas the steps described in there, as I feared, do not seem to immediately pertain to Vista. I thank all of you in advance for any help you can give me.

You've told us what the updates are but not what error message(s) that you are getting when you try to install. What service pack do you have? As of today Vista RTM is no longer supported which means that you much have at least service pack 1 to install updates. Have to tried a system restore point prior to when this happened? Are you using an administrator account? Is UAC on? Have you tried downloading the installers from MS's website? Have to checked to make sure that your computer meets the system requirements for the updates? Are you able to install other programs?

Yeah I suppose those things would help to know.............

The only error message I get is what I wrote in the title "Could not install important updates"

I have SP2 installed.

Restore point was useless, apparently I don't have one set up (odd to say the least considering a restore point has been set up every time I install something new)

I am indeed on an admin ID.

I actually meant I had tried the installers when I mentioned the Microsoft site, sorry for the confusion.

I can install anything.............well except the "important updates" of course.

And near as I can tell my computer should have no problems with the important updates.

And lastly, UAC was disabled.

Thanks for the reply. It gets weirder now though. I changed nothing since my last post and today updates all successfully installed. What is going on with this thing?

Originally Posted by shadow_n_shade

The only error message I get is what I wrote in the title "Could not install important updates"

I have SP2 installed.

Restore point was useless, apparently I don't have one set up (odd to say the least considering a restore point has been set up every time I install something new)

I am indeed on an admin ID.

I can install anything.............well except the "important updates" of course.

And near as I can tell my computer should have no problems with the important updates.

And lastly, UAC was disabled.

Thanks for the reply. It gets weirder now though. I changed nothing since my last post and today updates all successfully installed. What is going on with this thing?

Am I to take it you are now fine, all updates are installed? Your post is a little confusing.

If you have another issue, go through this tutorial for assistance from Method 2 onwards.

I would suggest you option your Windows Updates to "Notify me but do not automatically download and install" this way:

• Start
• Settings
• Control Panel
• Automatic Updates
• Enable "Notify me but do not automatically install"

Keep us posted if you need more assistance.