Problem with Windows update (W7)

[whoololon]

Well, my WU has jammed again.

When I press "Check for updates", I get the message "Windows update can't check for updates because the service isn't running."

Using services.msc, I see that the service is activated and running; also, with Microsoft's tool to fix the problem (WindowsUpdateDiagnostic.diag.cab) it gives me two messages, one of error when trying to install recent updates and the other, as solved, that the service registry is not found or is corrupt. After restarting, it's still the same.

I've also tried to start it through the console as administrator, with net start bits and then net start wuauserv, but it says that the service has already been started.

The only thing I haven't tried is resetting the Windows update values to the max, as indicated here; because I would almost prefer to format and reinstall.

Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

*Update : After much searching on good old Google, I found a solution that's half genius and half mess, which is to rename the "SoftwareDistribution" folder inside the Windows directory, as possibly one or more files are damaged or corrupt and that's the problem.
Indeed, after renaming (using IOBit Unlocker), everything works correctly again.

[Fassou]

It's a pain when updates go crazy like that.

I'm glad that in the end Ventanucos came to his senses, and that you share the solution for future run-ins with Windows Update

Salu2!

[Bm4n]

I also had to go through that process on w7...