I realize there are already some question feeds related to my current question (see Windows 7 SP1 Windows Update stuck checking for updates). I am still confused as to why there is this disconnect between Windows 7 and the new windows update servers.
I suspect there is a server connection problem because when I try and monitor C:->Windows-> SoftwareDistribution folder the size remains unchanged even while the WindowsUpdate program claims to be working.
After I tried several different techniques found in the SuperUser community I still was unable to update my Windows 7 Dell Latitude, so I looked to the Microsoft Community for some help.
According to a Microsoft Community post (https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki/windows_7-update/fix-windows-7-update-stuck-on-checking-for-updates/ad6cfeef-232a-49b4-a57b-39978eea6630) there seems to be an 'incompatibility between Windows 7 and Microsoft Update Servers' after the latest release of Microsoft Windows 10. It appears you need to update your computer with 5 patches to bring your computer online with the new servers.
I went through the patch wizard found in the above link, which required around 15 minutes with occasional bash input. My computer is now updating properly.
