Failed updates: Windows 7, .NET Framework Rollup updates not installing

You're not alone => https://goo.gl/Aotw7l

Answer-by-number:

1. Is KB3188740, KB3207752, and/or KB3197868 [or KB3197867 or KB3197869] listed in Installed Updates (not Update History)? [1]
2. Is it the same computer as in your 07 July 2015 thread?
3. Are you in the habit of using "Registry cleaners" (e.g., Registry Mechanic; System Mechanic; RegCure; RegClean Pro; Advanced SystemCare; Total System Care; Glary Utilities; Registry Booster; McAfee QuickClean; AVG Quick Clean; AVG PC TuneUp; Norton Registry Cleaner; Norton PC Tuneup; PCTools Optimiser; SpeedUpMyPC; FixMyPC; PC Doctor; TuneUp Utilities; WinMaximizer; WinSweeper; Comodo System Cleaner; Advanced System Optimizer; CCleaner Registry Cleaner component)?

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[1] Start | Control Panel | Programs and Features | View installed updates (in left-hand menu)

1. In Windows Explorer [WinKey+E], navigate to & right-click on:

• **C:\Program Files**Avast Software <=this folder

Select PROPERTIES: What's the CREATED date displayed on the resulting GENERAL tab? [1]

2. When & why was MalwareBytes' Anti-Malware (MBAM) installed? Is it MBAM Premium or MBAM Free? MBAM version 2.x or version 3.x? Has MBAM ever detected & quarantined anything since it's been installed?
3. Can you successfully upgrade to Flash Player [plugin for Internet Explorer] version 24.0.0.186 (or higher) by opening Internet Explorer ONLY to this page? => http://www.adobe.com/go/getflash

• BEWARE any pre-checked options to "drive-by" install unwanted, third-party software (e.g., Google Toolbar; McAfee Security Scan Plus)!

COMMENT: As far as I can tell, the only security-related update in the Dec-16 .NET Rollup addresses a [relatively minor IMHO] vulnerability in .NET v4.6.2. Since you don't have v4.6.2 installed (according to your last reply), you might want to just hide the darn thing & move on with your life. [You're not the only one who dislikes or cannot comprehend these new "rollup" updates.]

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[1] COMMENT ONLY: I've seen some pretty questionable behavior where an Avast application is installed, especially since Avast acquired AVG earlier this year. YMMV

Your assumption is correct with regards to Win 7 64 + IE11 installed.

1a) September 2013

1b) I built it myself, however the motherboard is by MSI.

1c) A clean install of Win 7.

1d) Never

1e) Never

2. AVAST Free Antivirus (12.3.3154.23),  expires 07/17. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is also installed, though it's not set to start up with Windows or monitor all of the time. No third-party firewall.
3. Never
4. No
5. Java not installed
6. Using that link in IE says that I have the out-of-date 180.0.0.129 version

7a) 15/06/2015

7b) Update Version: 11.0.38 (KB3203621)

9a) Those very browsers and versions installed

9b) No

10. Still installed, no longer crashing. I recall having to downgrade version for it to work at the time, others having reported the same problem, have subsequently updated to most current version without issue.
11. Only 4.6.1 is listed under Installed Updates so I assume 4.6.2 is not installed.
12. It is however and I have made backups a long time ago when I had some notion of doing something 'risky', but I've been lazy since. Lesson learned.

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It's reassuring to know that I'm not alone!

Thanks again for your attention, PA Bear, truly appreciated.

1. KB3188740 and KB3207752 are listed but not KB3197868...

2. It is the same computer as in my July 2015 thread

3. [YES]

[KB3207752 supersedes (replaces) KB3197868 so don't worry about the latter.]

Assuming Win7 64-bit with Internet Explorer 11 (IE11) installed...

We'll need to "dig a little deeper" here. Please answer each of the following[admittedly tedious] diagnostic questions in a correspondingly-numbered list in your very next reply, preferably without quoting my post:

1a. When (approx. date) did you purchase the computer?

1b. Who manufactured the computer (e.g., Dell; HP; Sony; Lenovo)?

1c. Did Win7 64-bit come preinstalled on the computer when you bought it, did you do a clean install of Win7, or did you upgrade a (e.g., Vista; WinXP) computer to Win7?

1d. Has Windows 10 ever been installed?

1e. Have you ever done a Repair Install and/or a clean install of Windows 7?

2. What is the full name of your installed anti-virus application or security suite and when (approx. date) does your current subscription expire? What anti-spyware applications (other than Defender) are installed? What third-party firewall (if any)?
3. Has a(nother) Norton application or a McAfee application EVER been installed on the computer since you bought it?
4. Did a Norton free-trial or a McAfee free-trial [PICK ONE] come preinstalled on the computer when you bought it? (Doesn't matter if you never used or Activated it.)
5. *Assuming Java is installed =>*Is Java Version 8 Update 111 (or higher) installed? TEST HERE USING INTERNET EXPLORER ONLY! => http://java.com/en/download/uninstallapplet.jsp [1]

• Java Update: Patch it or pitch it

http://krebsonsecurity.com/2014/07/java-update-patch-it-or-pitch-it/

• Is it time to disable/uninstall Java?

http://securitygarden.blogspot.com/2013/01/java-zero-day-again-time-to.html

6. Is Adobe Flash Player v24.0.0.186 installed? TEST HERE USING INTERNET EXPLORER ONLY! => http://www.adobe.com/software/flash/about/  

7a. When (exact date) was Internet Explorer 11 installed according to Installed Updates?

7b. What Update Version & KB number are displayed in the second line of text in IE11's Help | About [Alt+H+A] tab; e.g., Update Version: 11.0.99 (KB1231231) ?

9a. Is Firefox version 50.1.0 (or higher) and/or Google Chrome version 55.0.2883.87(or higher) or any other alternate browser installed?

9b. Is Firefox still "crashing?"

10. Is VLC Player still installed and if so, is it still "crashing?"
11. Is .NET Framework version 4.6.2 installed?  [If you have v4.6.1 was installed, chances are v4.6.2 was also installed via Windows Update during the past year.]
12. Is CCleaner configured such that you're prompted to make backups of changes you're about to make using the Registry Cleaner component and if so, do you accept the prompt & save a backup every time and if so, are those backups still available?

• Injudicious use of registry cleaners may be playing a role here. TIP: If you ever again think your Registry needs to be cleaned, repaired, boosted, tuned-up, cured, tweaked, fixed, maximized, "swept" or optimised (it doesn't), read this article and **this older**  (but still valid) **one** (and related links cited therein) then draw your own conclusions. Also related => http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2563254

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[1] No need to install Java if it's not already installed!

PS: You're not the only one getting 80073712 errors this month! None of this month's updates have shown up on my Win7 box. Attempting to install the supposed fix KB3172605 manually resulted in a 80073712 error. D'oh!

0x80073712  ERROR_SXS_COMPONENT_STORE_CORRUPT

The component store is in an inconsistent state.

Thanks for taking the time to reply, PA Bear. I hope I wasn't hasty in asking for advice in the forum, a similar search with the Knowledge Base number a few days ago (when the update was even newer) returned only one site that I couldn't follow.

Following your numbering:

1. Both KB3188740 and KB3207752 are listed are listed as installed updates, however none of the KB319786* updates you've listed are installed.
2. It is, yes.
3. I fear I'm admitting some kind of horrible bad practice in answering, yes - I've used the registry cleaner component of CCleaner in the past. It won't have been done recently but I can't find anything like a log file to tell exactly when. I recall having used it to try and get rid of a particularly stubborn install of Lightworks that refused to die.

Hope this helps and that I haven't offended your sensibilities with my hamfisted use of a computer!