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Windows 7 Update Error 80072EFE

Anonymous
2017-05-30T20:35:17+00:00

I have reloaded a fresh copy of Windows 7 SP1 on a Dell OptiPlex 390. The load of the OS went fine. I then ran Windows Update and after a bit, it showed 194 updates available. I selected the update button. After a short delay, it displayed that it was downloading 187 updates. It downloaded and installed all 187 updates displaying that 7 had failed. I rebooted the PC and went back in to Windows Update. It showed 7 updates available. I again selected the update button. After a short delay the downloading updates message appeared. After a few seconds the update screen was then displayed showing that all 7 had failed with error 80072EFE. I rebooted and tried it again, same result. I then Googled the error code and over time ended up trying almost all of the suggestions listed to fix this error. Nothing worked. The updates continue to fail with the 80072EFE error. If a new update appears, it is downloaded and installed, but the original 7 fail. The updates that will not install are two .NET framework updates, a security update, two general updates, the malicious software removal tool, and a definition update for defender. Should I just ignore these updates? I've done a number of OS reloads recently on similar hardware, this PC is the only one this has happened on. I've updated the BIOS and all the drivers. Any ideas where to go next?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Windows update

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  1. Anonymous
    2017-05-30T22:58:43+00:00

    Have you downloaded/run the McAfee Consumer Products Removal Tool and then installed your choice of a third-party anti-virus application yet?

    8 people found this answer helpful.
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  2. Anonymous
    2017-05-31T13:02:05+00:00

    No, I have not downloaded/run the McAfee Consumer Products Removal Tool. However, only the OS and updates have been loaded on this PC, no other software (no anti-virus, no anti-malware, no utilities, etc.).

    5 people found this answer helpful.
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  3. Anonymous
    2017-06-02T22:39:07+00:00

    I have 3 Optiplex 390 PC's that I need to rebuild...

    You will find appropriate support for Win7 in the IT Pro-specific forums => https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/windows/en-US/home?category=w7itpro

    You find appropriate support for the Dell Desktop PCs in these forums => http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/desktop/

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  4. Anonymous
    2017-05-31T23:45:43+00:00

    ACTIONS (in this order):

    1. Format the HDD and "reload a fresh copy of Windows 7 SP1" on the Dell OptiPlex 390 again.
    2. Download/run the McAfee Consumer Products Removal Tool & reboot. [Ignore the log.]
    • Chances are (99.99%) your Dell computer came with a McAfee free-trial preinstalled. Doesn't matter if you never used it. Every time you "re-load" Windows using the hidden Recovery partition, the free-trialware is installed again.
    • Fact: McAfee (and Norton) applications are notorious for not uninstalling (or upgrading) cleanly.
    1. Install Microsoft Security Essentials (free) or a third-party anti-virus application of your choice (but not Norton, McAfee, Avast or AVG if you know what's good for you!); follow all prompts.
    2. Install Internet Explorer 11 manually; follow all prompts.
    3. Follow the instructions on this page to the letter => https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/3200747/windows-update-is-taking-an-unusually-long-time-to-scan-and-install-updates
    4. Run a manual check for updates and see if any/all further updates offered (e.g., KB4019264; KB4019112) will successfully install now; follow all prompts.

      • HOW TO Run a manual check for updates

         https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3067639

    1. Open Internet Explorer (only!) to this page & make sure that Flash Player version 25.0.0.171 (or higher) is installed.

    Good luck!

    
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If the above link still takes you to the Microsoft Store homepage (instead of the Answer Desk page), try this link =>
[https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/answerdesk/chat/default.aspx?productkey=awasahome](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/answerdesk/chat/default.aspx?productkey=awasahome)

If still no joy, see [https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/13948](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/13948)

====================================================  

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  5. Anonymous
    2017-05-31T13:02:54+00:00

    No, I have not downloaded/run the McAfee Consumer Products Removal Tool. However, only the OS and updates have been loaded on this PC, no other software (no anti-virus, no anti-malware, no utilities, etc.).

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