File Share Encryption

I recently purchased a HP dm1 laptop with Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit and have installed PGP WDE. I am running ESET Smart Security 4.2.71.2 and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 1.51.1.1800.  PGP WDE appears to be working as it should, however since the installation I can no longer update Windows. When I try to manually check for updates I get the following message: "Windows Update cannot currently check for updates, because the service is not running. You may need to restart your computer."

I have restarted my computer and confirmed that Windows Update is turned on and set to update automatically. However, I repeatedly get reminders through the Windows Action Center to "change the Windows Update settings", after which time it advises me change update settings to install automatically (which I have done). It has been several weeks since I've been able to update Windows and I'm at a loss as to how to resolve this issue. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

If you haven't already, I'd suggest reviewing the PGP Release Notes for any known conflicts your sytem may have with PGP.  If you don't have the most recent version of PGP and you are eligible for a free update, I'd suggest you give it a try. 

I'm guessing that you have actually encrypted your disk.  If so, you may want to decrypt it to see if your normal update functioning occurs.  I mention this because there is always the possibliity that using PGP and this update problem may be just a coincidence - I've had several experiences when I've made some change in my computer, suddenly had a problem, and incorrectly concluded that my change had caused the problem.

If the problem still continues, I'd then try uninstalling PGP (having first decrypted the disk) to see if the PGP installation itself is actually causing the problem.

Hi Tom,

Thank you very much for your help. It is much appreciated.

Before I saw your reply, I contacted Microsoft to see if they had any suggestions. I was able resolve the issue and I'll post the solution in the event that others have this problem.

After typing services.msc into the search bar in the Start Menu, I found Windows Update in the Services window, double clicked on the entry and found that Windows Update was stopped. However, when trying to start Windows Update, I got error code (started with 0x08 and ended in a) and was told that Windows Update could not start. I was advised to go to http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058 and download the FixIt Tool. Running the tool in agressive mode solved the problem. I was also advised to download the Microsoft Safety Scanner and run a Full Scan, since this error sometimes occurs when a computer has been infected with a virus. Thankfully, I had no viruses.