Windows Update Error Code 80070246

Question

It says "Windows can't check for updates" and this is the error code I get everytime.  Any help?  Thanks.

Answer 1

Hi MikeTide,

This problem occurs if the GlobalInstallOrder.xml file is corrupted. The GlobalInstallOrder.xml file is in the following location:

%Windir%\Winsxs\x86_microsoft-windows-servicingstack_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6000.16386_none_07289f4cca5f6990\GlobalInstallOrder.xml

To resolve this problem, replace the corrupted GlobalInstallOrder.xml file on the system with the same file from the Windows Vista installation media. To do this, follow these steps:

1.    Obtain the WIM filter driver from the Windows Automated Installation Kit (Windows AIK). To download and install the Windows AIK, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=c7d4bc6d-15f3-4284-9123-679830d629f2&DisplayLang=en

2.    Click Start, point to **All Programs,**click Microsoft Windows AIK, right-click Windows PE Tools Command Prompt, and then click Run as administrator.

If you are prompted for an administrator password, type the password. If you are prompted to continue, click Continue.

3.    At the command prompt, type the following command, and then press ENTER.

MD c:\Mount

This command creates a folder that is named Mount.

4.    Put the Windows Vista installation media in the CD or DVD drive.

5.    At the command prompt, type the following command, and then press ENTER:

Imagex /mount DVDDriveLetter\sources\install.wim 1 \mount

6.    At the command prompt, type the following command, and then press ENTER:

CD\mount\Windows\winsxs\x86_microsoft-windows-servicingstack_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6000.16386_none_07289f4cca5f6990

This command moves to the source folder

7.    At the command prompt, type the following command, and then press ENTER:

xcopy GlobalInstallOrder.xml %windir%\winsxs\x86_microsoft-windows-servicingstack_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6000.16386_none_07289f4cca5f6990

This command copies the GlobalInstallOrder.xml file to the destination folder.

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Answer 2

to everyone who have gotten the error code 80070246:  I have tried everything above and was about to reinstall my 32 bit Vista.  But what worked for me was to download the Microsoft Windows Update Standalone package and install it.  After that, I ran windows update like normal and my machine spent about 15 minutes checking for updates and instead of getting the error code like I normally had gotten for 6 months, windows update had a button that said to install windows update!  I pressed that button and low and behold, It installed windows update again.  When it was finished, I clicked check for updates again and now windows update worked, I had 54 updates!!  Give it a try and I hope this works for everyone

Answer 3

I tried to download the system readiness update tool from the link provided but it says that :

'The update does not apply to your system'. I have 32 bit Windows Vista installed.

Any help is highly appreciated.

Thanks

Answer 4

OK.. Well an In-Place upgrade fixed the problem and I successfully upgraded to Vista SP2. In place took a long time - 20 hours - as I needed to remove SP1, upgrade, reapply everything, then SP1 then SP2. Anyway working now. Thansk to all contributers..

EmCeeL

Answer 5

Agree - Kudo's to Terry Rodgers for the Time and Effort.

Unfortunately, I also did the system readiness tool install (1hr, 13min) and tried WinUpdate for SP2 install - and received the same "**80070246 ERROR_ILLEGAL_CHARACTER"**error. I then downloaded the SP2 upgrade file itself , then on an Admin window, ran it. Same issue.

As a result of all this, no WinUpdate works now. Even Windows Defender update fails... Simply ridiculous. No to try an in-place upgrade as mentioned above. Note all other software working fine, no headcrash or evidence of same, office is working fine.

I am still of the opinion that all these mess started when WinUpdate did the IE8 upgrade.

EmCeeL