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This one took a while to fix… but on a Vista, and Windows 7 computers, I found that Windows Update will not work, listing:

Windows cannot install updates because Update Services is not running, you may need to restart your computer.   

Then, for more informoation on NULL, click here.  AFTER LOTS OF REVIEW, I got it to work, from WAY down on a MS Engineer post, this WORKS:

1. Stop the Automatic Updates service. To do this, follow these steps:
   1. Click Start, click Run, type services.msc, and then click OK.
   2. Right-click the Automatic Updates service, and then click Stop.
   3. Minimize the Services snap-in.
2. Rename the SoftwareDistribution directory. To do this, follow these steps:
   1. Click Start, click Run, type cmd, and then click OK.
   2. Type cd %windir%, and then press ENTER.
   3. Type ren SoftwareDistribution SDTemp, and then press ENTER
   4. Type exit, and then press ENTER .

Note When you remove the %windir%\softwaredistribution folder, the history list is erased from the “Review your Updates” section of the Windows Update Web site. This action will not affect the currently installed updates on your computer. Subsequent updates will appear in the history list.

1. Start the Automatic Updates service. To do this, follow these steps:
   1. Maximize the Services snap-in.
   2. Right-click the Automatic Updates service, and then click Start.
   3. Close the Services snap-in window.
2. Visit the Windows Update Web site, the Microsoft Update Web site, or the WSUS server again, and then download an update.
3. If you still receive the same errors, verify that you have correctly performed steps 1 through 3.