Getting Windows Update error 80072ee2 for Windows 7

Question

After getting a new computer (Lenovo) just a couple of weeks ago, set it up last weekend (Sunday, 24 June), performed a number of Windows Updated to make it current, then on Tuesady (26 June), I started getting the error 80072ee2.  Initially contacted manufacture but got directed to the problem as a SW issue......  Am doing a bit of research but cannot find the smoking gun fix in the forum.  If someone has the right shortcut to the right solution, please let me know.  Some further detail:

•  This machine is running MacAfee Security suite.
•  I did install some 3rd Party SW onto the machine after initial set up.
•  Since the error message started I have noticed the message states there has never been any updates since 24 June; however, I do have 2 that were installed on the 26th.

I reconnected the machine the old machine, which is a VISTA OS (eMachines), to get files from it to transfer to the new machine.  It had been powered down about 7 to 9 days, so it had to go through some anti-virus/network security suite updates (ESET):

•  Not sure why, but decided to do a Windows Update on it also.
•  After that update I performed an update to a 3rd Party product (Western Digital Back Up)
•  After performing a back up and copying the files I needed, I went back to check Windows Update just in case.  I got the same error code on he VISTA as I have on the W7 machine.
•  The error message indicated the Windows Update has never been done as of a date but, like the W7 machine, I have updates on it past the date indicated.

I found this coincidence/timeframe interesting and wondered if the occurrence of the error may have a common problem (corrupt download or something in the download that was not supposed to be).  I am more interested in the W7 solution as the VISTA is being retired after the new machine is reliably and securely up and running.

As mentioned earlier, if someone has the right shortcut to the right solution, please let me know.  Thanks.

Answer 1

Hi

You may refer to the following article and check if it helps:

Windows Update error 80072ee2

You may also refer to the article and try the steps provided:

Temporary connection-related errors may occur when you use Windows Update or Microsoft Update

Answer 2

Tried to paste the text file into the window but is much larger than the 60,000 characters allowed.  If i can email it or place it into a dropp box, let me know.

I do not know the full details of what it alll means but I can identify when "things changed" from working very well to not working.

Answer 3

By the way.  I did find a text file titled Windows update that appears to be a log of the attempts I have tried.  Around 9:30 PM on the 26th of June is when the errorcode appeared.  I can send a copy if you like.

Answer 4

Observation and attempts over the past few days have been unsuccessful in connecting to Windows Update.  As far as I can tell the conditions in your response on July 2nd have been accomplished with no resolution.  Here is an update in the change of configuration on the machine and actions taken:

• Have un-installed the MacAfee Suite and confirmed Windows Firewall is active
• After restart, while there was no AV SW in place, I turned off the FW and attempted a Windows Update.  This was unsuccessful (tried multiple times).  Retried a couple more times after turning on FW.  Even tried a couple more times after FW was on.
• Installed a different AntiVirus SW package.  To date, there has not been a successful update attempt since the 2nd.
• Also Installed Microsoft Office 2010.

Observations:

• After MacAfee suite was removed and the computer rebooted, Windows Defender had no problems being downloaded and installed (automatic action, no manual effort on my part involved).
• During Microsoft Office 2010 install, the updates to that package had no problem being downloaded and installed but was done during the install from media (occurred automatically, no manual effort on my part)

So.  What's next?

Just a question or 2:

•  I qualify for an upgrade to Windows 8.  Would installing a new OS solve this problem?  I am interested in making that move but wonder if the problem needs to be fixed before I do that.
• The last time I installed an OS (quite sometime ago), I had to reinstall everything else also.   Is that still the case?

Answer 5

I did not start the effort outlined above right away.  I took a little time to do some observations and see if all looked OK before I got to deep.  I did have an occurrence where I was able to get to Windows Update on both machines but not on a consistent basis.

So, just now got into looking at this again.  I was about to discount the FixIt (because I ran it before with no apparent fix) but seemed prudent to cover all the bases and run again (may have been a different version - I did not think to capture that version data).  It appears to have accomplished the task.  Have initiated Windows updates twice and both ran (one with updates and the other to tell me I was current).

I also wondered just how much of the error may be related to the fires here out west.  Not sure where the servers are but with all the activity in supporting and conducting fire fighting operations, just how much bandwidth got used up, and what was there was degraded because some redundant paths may have been down.

So for now, I will claim a conditional success.  I will take some time to observe some more and determine if the machine's behavior warrants declaring the issue resolved in a few days.  Will report back and let you know the results. Thanks.