Re: Windows Update fails with Error 0x80072EE4

Tech Tip: Click here to run a free scan for Windows Errors and optimize PC performance

Thanks for the effort, Maurice, but I did all of that to the "t" and it made
no difference whatsoever.

I've heard people mention here that reinstalling SP2 might help... Does
anyone have directions for how to do that? Is there any other way I can
repair my machine?

"Maurice N ~ MVP" wrote:

The error is caused by SSL (Secure Socket Layer). The scan process requires
SSL and if the date and time on your computer varies too much from the
valid date and time of the SSL certificates on Windows Update, the process
will fail. Please verify that your computer’s date and time are accurate
and that the Internet Explorer language option is not empty.

To check the language setting in Internet Explorer:
1. Click "Tools" and then select "Internet Options".
2. Click "Languages".
3. Make sure at least one language is listed in the "Language Options"
dialog box.


Please delete the Internet cache and cookies.
1. Click "Tools" and then select "Internet Options".
2. Click "Delete Cookies".
3. Click "Delete Files".

This resolution applies to Windows 2000, XP, and 2003.

The foregoing is taken from the Windows Update Troubleshooter page.

Check on these Windows services. In services management console ( services.msc) they must NOT be *Disabled* in the Startup type.
They need to show a startup type of Manual or Automatic.
Here are the services & their Startup types:

Background Intelligent Transfer Service(BITS) Manual
Cryptographic Services Automatic
Remote Procedure Call (RPC) Automatic
System Restore Service Automatic

Following is only a basic first-pass checklist of settings for Internet Explorer browser, tailored for smoother entry into Windows Update.
It is NOT a cure-all !

Make sure this is not running a 3rd-part Popup-Ad remover, or any anonymizer.

1. In Internet Explorer browser > select Tools, click Internet Options, and then click
Languages....
If this box is empty, add at least one language -- your usual national
language.
If you happen to have 2 or more, move English up on this list.

2. Disengage your Discussion Bar in Internet Explorer: Click View on
main IE menu.
Point to Explorer Bar.
If "Discuss" has a check mark, click Discuss to *remove the check mark*
and clear it.
You may note, if the discussion bar is active, it would appear near the
bottom of IE window.

3. I. E. Tools >Internet Options > Advanced Tab > (scroll down thru
the list)

These are "some" of the items that I do have CHECKed (selected):
Under HTTP 1.1 settings --
Use HTTP 1.1 (ON / Selected)
+ Enable / check to use HTTP 1.1 with proxy servers **** <<----

and under Security :

Clear (un-check) the check box next to "Check for server certificate
revocation" . ( *OFF* )

Use SSL 2.0 (ON / selected)
Use SSL 3.0 (ON)

4. Internet Explorer > Tools > Internet Options > Connections Tab Click
on LAN Settings > * Uncheck* the Automatically detect settings.
Make sure _no other_ settings on this screen are enabled.

5. Internet Explorer > main menu /Tools/Internet Options >

Security Tab/ click on green icon Trusted Sites/click Sites button.

Look very closely at line that says:

"Require server verification (https:) for all sites in this zone" to
*clear* the selection.
(e.g. You want that to be un-checked (un-ticked)).

In the "Add this Web site to the zone:" field, add these entries to
list of "Trusted Sites" --

type
http://*.download.windowsupdate.com (click Add)

http://update.microsoft.com

http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com


Click OK. Apply changes to IE browser.

In your case, I'd suggest you turn on the firewall (so your system is not open to malware intrusion). If using 3rd party firewall, please post back with the name & version.

Then re-try Windows Update.

--
Maurice N
MVP Windows - Shell / User
-----

"msdast" wrote in message news:647F49D6-C43A-483A-9A5A-CC3355D01E1D@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I am trying to update my copy of Windows XP Home Edition (Version 2002 SP 2)
without any success. Updates have been failing for about a month now with
the error code 0x80072EE4. I have disabled my firewall and I have verified
my network connectivity. I have verified that the date and time on my
machine are ok. I have turned off "Check for publisher's certificate
revocation" and "Check for server certificate revocation". I have tried the
trick of registering all of those DLLs by hand as mentioned many times here
by TaurArian. I have no proxy server enabled. I have eliminated by cable
router from the picture. I have checked my hosts file and it has nothing in
it but the entry for localhost (and comments). I use PC-cillin for AV (and I
have disabled its firewall as well). I have made sure my Auto Update and
BITS services are started.

Someone please help. I am at my wits end here, just about 2 inches away
from scrubbing this crappy OS and installing Debian.

Here is a very small snip of the tail the windows update log file. I can't
post the whole thing because it is almost 2 megs of nothing but this same
error.



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