Question: Many websites, including SuperUser, recommend restarting the Windows Update service in order to fix [the common problem of Windows Update getting stuck at 0% downloading](https://superuser.com/questions/305576/windows-update-doesnt-progress-beyond-0-kb-0).

When I try to stop the Windows Update service (via `services.msc`), Windows 7 SP1 attempts to stop it, but then after waiting a few minutes, reports that it cannot stop the process.

How can I stop the Windows Update process so I can restart it?

Answer: 
The service can get stuck in an interim state - in that case look up the process ID (PID) - it is shown in the service listing - and use the following whilst running the command line as administrator:

`taskkill /f /pid [PID]`

This worked for me after attempting several other methods. 

I now am able to run updates.
Stopping through a cmd prompt running as admin does indeed stop the service. You don't need to be logged in as admin; just be sure the cmd window has admin privileges & you run it as admin. Note: as of 5-17-17, Windows defender will no longer get virus updates unless this service is started. I disabled the update service because Windows would update drivers & certain devices would no longer work. Bad Windows!