Summary: Running check for updates will trigger this error message: "Windows Update cannot currently check for updates, because the service is not running. You may need to restart your computer."
Solution:
1. Go to Administrative Tools/Services, and stop the Windows Update service.
2. Then go to the folder c: /Windows/SoftwareDistribution and delete all of the files and folders.
3. Then go back to Services and restart the Windows Update service which will recreate all of those folders again.
4. Then manually run the Update Service and everything should work.
More information and support for your Windows operating systems can be found on our
Windows Support webpage.