Microsoft has released a Knowledge Base article which describes the System Update Readiness Tool for Windows Vista-based computers, for Windows Server 2008-based computers, for Windows Server 2008 R2-based computers, and for Windows 7-based computers.
Microsoft released the System Update Readiness Tool to resolve certain conditions that could cause installing updates and other software not to work. You do not have to manually run this tool. This tool is offered automatically through Windows Update to computers that have a condition that the tool could resolve.
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After you download the System Update Readiness Tool, it runs a onetime scan for inconsistencies that might prevent future servicing operations. This scan typically takes less than 15 minutes to run. However, the tool might take significantly longer on some computers. The Windows Update progress bar is not updated during the scan, and progress seems to stop at 60% complete for some time. This behavior is expected. The scan is still running and you should not cancel the update.
What is the System Update Readiness Tool?
System resources, such as file data, registry data, and even in-memory data, can develop inconsistencies during the lifetime of the operating system. These inconsistencies might be caused by various hardware failures or might be caused by software issues. In some cases, these inconsistencies can affect the Windows servicing store, and they can cause software updates not to work. The System Update Readiness Tool tries to resolve these inconsistencies.
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What does the System Update Readiness Tool do?
The System Update Readiness Tool verifies the integrity of the following resources:
Files that are located under the following directories:
%SYSTEMROOT%\Servicing\Packages
%SYSTEMROOT%\WinSxS\Manifests
Registry data that is located under the following registry subkeys:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Components
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Schema
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Component Based Servicing
Visit KB947821.
System Update Readiness Tool has been updated to work smoothly on Windows 7 SP1 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1.
Additional read & download links: System Update Readiness Tool.
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