unable to install Windows Updates,

Have you tried the Start button followed by picking All Programs. There is an option labeled "Windows Update". That might just be what you want.

Unless you've already tried it, of course.

Thank you for your prompt response.
I do Start buton, then Control Panel, then All Control Panel Items, and finally WINDOWS UPDATE. From there I select Check for updates. Then the "checking" begins... and then Preparing to install commences.... and it goes on and on for hours if I let it.... until finally I have had enough and shut down. This behaviour has been going on for several weeks. I am supposed to have "3 important updates" that need to be installed but it never happens.

I went through it with "All Programs" and seemed to end up where you did. No more ideas except to let it continue at its own pace. Maybe start the process and go out to lunch followed by shopping.

As a matter of fact, I believe I turned off automatic updates because it kept trying to update to Windows 10. Wish I could have helped.

With my prior windows computer I was unable to install the recommended service pack. Over 2 years, I never found a way to resolve the problem (running 8.1). Computer worked fine however, so no big deal to me until a month ago when the OS bit the dust and I got a new computer with 10 installed.

May or may not be relevant.

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2475079,00.asp