Similar problem to Nancydnv in another post. Perhaps Maurice you can help me as well? I have Windows Vista, 64-bit. I've been trying to perform 12 Windows updates for about two weeks now, but they consistenetly fail. Tried in a "clean boot" state, as well as with limited services running as a few websites suggested but with no luck. I started to notice many users who had a similar problem with Windows update were also using SM, so I uninstalled it completely. System restore will not go back further than 5 days, even though that box is checked. I tried doing the updates in 2 groups of 6 as well without any success. Error codes are 80070641 and 641. I've tried Microsoft Fixit with no success. I've also tried Windows Installer 4.5 (KB942288-v2-x86.msu, KB942288-v2-x64.msu, KB942288-v2-ia64.msu), but none would work as all three said they were not for my version of Windows. Another site suggested I go to services.msc, however, when I do, Windows Installer is NOT listed. I tried the "merge" with the Windows Reg Editor 5.0 and reboot, but that did not work either. Up until now I have had no problems with SM and just renewed it earlier this month. Needless to say I will be asking for a refund!

At the cmd promp I have entered:
net stop wuauserv [enter]
Next I am browsing the C drive for:
Windows\Software Distribution\Download
I have 68 items in that folder going back to Sep. 2010. Is the next step to delete all of these? I assume no adverse affect if these files are deleted?

Once that is done I understand I should go back to the cmd prompt and enter:
net start wuauserv [enter] ~~~ logoff and reboot

How exactly do I do a custom scan selection and will ANY updates work if I do not see Windows Installer listed in my "Services" (local) folder? If I am to proceed, only Office updates at first, correct? Post back here if even those fail?

Detailed step-by-step assistance would be greatly appreciated. Please let me know if I inadvertently left out any pertinent information for troubleshooting.
Thanks!