Error Code: 89972EFE (Can't install updates)

Question

Everytime I try to get windows updates (whether it be just windows updates or windows defender) I get the error code 80072EFE. I can't get around it. and when I start my pc. sometimes it starts in safe mode. I don't know what is wrong. Please help!

Answer 1

• Which version of the Windows operating system am I running?

      http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/help/which-version-of-the-windows-operating-system-am-i-running

   • Is my PC running the 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows?

      http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/find-out-32-or-64-bit

Always state your full Windows version (e.g., Vista SP1; Vista 64-bit SP2) when posting in a forum or newsgroup. Please do so in your next reply.

What anti-virus application or security suite is installed and is your subscription current?  What anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)?  What third-party firewall (if any)?

Has a(another) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on the computer?

Did a Norton or McAfee free-trial come preinstalled on the computer when you bought it? (Doesn't matter if you never used or Activated it.)

You may encounter temporary connection-related errors [e.g., 0x80072EFF; **0x80072EFE**; 0x80072EFD; 0x80072EEF; 0x80072EE2; 0x80072EE7; 0xC80003FA; 0x8024402F] when you use Windows Update or Microsoft Update to install updates  

[http://support.microsoft.com/kb/836941](http://support.microsoft.com/kb/836941)

How do I reset Windows Update components?  

[Access KB971058 via Internet Explorer (32-bit) only; Run the Fix It in DEFAULT and then AGGRESSIVE modes, then reboot]  

[http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058](http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058)

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~Robear Dyer (PA Bear) ~ MS MVP (IE, Mail, Security, Windows & Update Services) since 2002 ~ Disclaimer: MS MVPs neither represent nor work for Microsoft