Was updating an old laptop with Windows XP on it and it started going really slow.
Windows update icon was always on and stuck at 1%.
Task manager reported SVCHOST process at 100% CPU.
Problem is with certain Windows updates on XP that sieze up the windows update process.
Solve it by downloading and installing an IE cumulative update i.e. KB2888505, which you can download here:
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=41074
