Fixed Windows update cannot currently check for updates because the service is not running. You may need to restart your computer

If you try to search for Windows Updates and you are using Windows Vista and above you may get this error:
"Windows update cannot currently check for updates because the service is not running. You may need to restart your computer"

There are two fixes that seem to solve this problem the last one worked for me.

1. If it was caused by a corrupt windows update folder then we need to rename it and then allow windows update to create a new fresh folder (note you will have to install a lot of updates again)

First step is to deactivate the windows update service you can do this by clicking on start and in the run/search box type in cmd  and then right click cmd and choose Run as Administrator.

When cmd opens type net stop wuauserv and press enter you will get a success message.

Leave cmd open for now you, can minimise it.
Lets go to My Computer and navigate to C:\Windows and find the folder named SoftwareDistribution,
right-click this folder and choose rename and name it SoftwareDistribution.old and press enter.

Next step is to go back to cmd and type the following net start wuauserv ,press enter and then type exit to close cmd for good.

You can restart the computer and see if it helped.

If you still have the same problem try the next procedure.

2.This involves updating the Intel Rapid Storage Technology Driver and you can download the file from here:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c02219204&cc=nl&lc=en&dlc=en&product
even though it's for HP , I have a Toshiba and it installed and worked fine since most laptops have the same Intel chipset.

Hope this helps anyone and good luck.

net stop wuauserv

net stop wuauserv