How to Fix Security Intelligence Update Not Downloading?

Windows 11 users have been facing a problem with installing the security intelligence update on their computers lately. According to most users, the update gets stuck after installing just a bit. In some cases, the update does not install at all. 

We had a look at the issue and discovered that it can be caused due to a temporary glitch or a corruption error in the system. In most cases, a simple restart fixes this problem. If that does not help, you can try running the built-in troubleshooting utilities to fix the problem.

Below, we have listed several troubleshooting methods that will help you resolve the issue and download the security intelligence update without any problems. 

1. Install the Update Manually

You can install the updates manually if they aren’t downloading from Windows Update section.

For this, you need to head over to the Microsoft update catalog using your browser and look for the update there. Once found, simply download and install it online.

Here is all you need to do:

1. Launch your browser and navigate to the Microsoft update catalog. 
   
2. Type the KB number of the targeted update in the search area on the top of the screen and click Enter.
   

   

3. The catalog should now display a list of appropriate options. Locate the right update for your device and click on the Download button for it.
   

   

4. After the update is downloaded, click on to Install it. 
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.

2. Run System Scans

It may be possible to resolve the problem using the built-in Microsoft-developed utilities if it is caused by a corruption error or virus inside the system. 

We will use System File Checker (SFC) and DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) in this situation. With SFC /scannow, you can scan all protected system files and replace corrupted ones with cached copies located in %WinDir%\System32\dllcache.

In contrast, DISM.exe can prepare and service Windows images, such as Microsoft Windows PE, Microsoft Windows Recovery Environment, and Microsoft Windows Setup. Generally, it is used to fix issues not resolved by SFC and is considered more powerful than SFC. 

Here is how you can run the SFC and DISM utilities:

1. Press cmd in the search area of the taskbar and click on Run as administrator.
   
2. In the Command Prompt window, execute the following command:
   

   sfc /scannow

   

3. Once the command is executed, move forward with executing the DISM command:
   

   DISM /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth

   

Hang in there while this command finishes. When the command has been executed, close the Command Prompt window and try installing the pending security update again.

3. Run the Update Troubleshooter

Problems related to Windows updates can also be resolved using the update troubleshooter. This utility is developed by Microsoft specifically to identify potential problems within the system that might be causing the issue and then resolve them. 

Here is how you can run the update troubleshooter:

1. Press Win + I keys together to open Windows Settings.
2. Choose System from the left pane.
   
3. Select Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
   

   

4. In the following window, look for the Windows Update troubleshooter and click on the Run button for it. 
   

   

5. Wait for the troubleshooter to scan for errors. If it finds any issues, it will notify you and in that case, click on Apply this fix to apply the solution suggested by the troubleshooter.
6. If the troubleshooter fails to identify the problem, click on Close the troubleshooter and move to the next method below.
   

   

4. Reset Windows Update Components

Your Windows update components might also be corrupt, preventing you from installing the latest system and security updates. 

You can reset the Windows update components to resolve the issue if this happens. 

Follow these steps to proceed:

1. Type Notepad in Windows search and click Open.
   
2. In the Notepad window, type the commands listed below:
   

   SC config trustedinstaller start=auto
   
   net stop bits
   
   net stop wuauserv
   
   net stop msiserver
   
   net stop cryptsvc
   
   net stop appidsvc
   
   Ren %Systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
   
   Ren %Systemroot%\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old
   
   regsvr32.exe /s atl.dll
   
   regsvr32.exe /s urlmon.dll
   
   regsvr32.exe /s mshtml.dll
   
   netsh winsock reset
   
   netsh winsock reset proxy
   
   rundll32.exe pnpclean.dll,RunDLL_PnpClean /DRIVERS /MAXCLEAN
   
   dism /Online /Cleanup-image /ScanHealth
   
   dism /Online /Cleanup-image /CheckHealth
   
   dism /Online /Cleanup-image /RestoreHealth
   
   dism /Online /Cleanup-image /StartComponentCleanup
   
   Sfc /ScanNow
   
   net start bits
   
   net start wuauserv
   
   net start msiserver
   
   net start cryptsvc
   
   net start appidsvc

   

3. Navigate to File > Save.
   
4. Expand the dropdown for Save as type and choose All files.
   

   

5. Enter a name with a batch extension (.bat), like xyz.bat.
6. Click Save and then close the Notepad.
   
7. Next, right-click on the batch file you just created and choose Run as Administrator from the context menu.
   
8. Wait for the commands to execute, and then restart your computer. 

Upon reboot, check if the issue is resolved.