[SOLVED] Windows Update error 80072EE2 & SFCFix Results

[AlanCB]

My HP ProBook 450G1 Notebook PC, which came with Windows 8 Pro installed, is now running on Windows 8.1 Pro, with Internet Explorer 11 as the browser, and with Norton Internet Security 2014 (version 22.5.2.15) for anti-virus & firewall protection.

On 30 June 2015, I started to experience problems with the failure of the Windows Update process with error codes 80072EE2 (mostly) & 80072EFE (occasional).
Several times, I tried running the Windows "Troubleshooting" tool from the Control Panel, & also the online version, as well Microsoft Fixit, and although they had all indicated that they had detected & fixed several problems, they did not actually resolve the Windows Update problem.

In order to check for & repair any corrupt components, I also tried running running "sfc /scannow", and "DISM Restore Health", without success (DISM could not access the source files).

After 4 weeks, on 31 July 2015, my Windows Update 80072EE2 problem appears to have spontaneously resolved itself, and I was able to download & install 30 Important Windows Updates, without any problem. Windows Update is still working, at least up to now (2 Aug 2015).

Note: I had also previously experienced a Windows Update problem with error codes 8024402F & 8024000E, which started on 8 April 2015, & were spontaneously resolved after 5 weeks, on 13 May 2015. I had also tried the same fixes as for the 80072EE2 problem, without success.

This morning, before starting this thread, I ran the Sysnative "SFCFix" tool as advised in the "Windows Update Posting Instructions", which found 2 corrupted files, but only fixed ONE of them (refer to #(1) below, for the contents of the SFCFix Log File(1))

I do not have a Windows Installation DVD that is required for DISM to source the replacement for the corrupted file, & therefore I omitted that step of the SFCFix process, & consequently an alternative method is required for sourcing a replacement for the corrupted file.

The Hard Drive of my Notebook PC has a separate "Recovery Image" Partition (D:) for Windows 8 Pro (not Windows 8.1 Pro).
Can this be used to source the replacement for the corrupted file ?

NOTE: I also tried uploading the CBSLog.zip file (11.1 MB), by using the method given for large files, but although it said that it completed the process, the CBSLog file does not seem to have attached to this thread (refer below #(2), for the SFCFix.txt log file that was created on completion of the large file upload process).
Don't know what I did wrong. Is the CBSLog.zip file too large even for the "large file attachment upload process" ?

Please advise me on how to resolve these 2 problems.

Thank you very much.

Regards

AlanCB
------------------------------------------------------
#(1): Contents of the SFCFix log File:

SFCFix version 2.4.5.0 by niemiro.
Start time: 2015-08-02 10:29:29.165
Microsoft Windows 8.1 Update 3 - amd64
Not using a script file.
AutoAnalysis::
FIXED: Performed DISM repair on file Amd64\CNBJ2530.DPB of version 6.3.9600.17415.
CORRUPT: C:\WINDOWS\winsxs\amd64_microsoft-windows-u..ed-telemetry-client_31bf3856ad364e35_6.3.9600.17842_none_90da81a4dac50d54\utc.app.json
CORRUPT: C:\WINDOWS\winsxs\amd64_microsoft-windows-u..ed-telemetry-client_31bf3856ad364e35_6.3.9600.17842_none_90da81a4dac50d54\telemetry.ASM-WindowsDefault.json

SUMMARY: Some corruptions could not be fixed automatically. Seek advice from helper or sysnative.com.
CBS & SFC total detected corruption count: 2
CBS & SFC total unimportant corruption count: 0
CBS & SFC total fixed corruption count: 1
SURT total detected corruption count: 0
SURT total unimportant corruption count: 0
SURT total fixed corruption count: 0
AutoAnalysis:: directive completed successfully.


Successfully processed all directives.
SFCFix version 2.4.5.0 by niemiro has completed.
Currently storing 0 datablocks.
Finish time: 2015-08-02 11:22:04.763
----------------------EOF-----------------------

--------------------------------------------------

# (2): Contents of the "SFCFix.txt" log File that was created on completion of the upload process for large file attachments, that I did for the upload of the CBSLog file :

SFCFix version 2.4.5.0 by niemiro.
Start time: 2015-08-02 13:45:39.170
Microsoft Windows 8.1 Update 3 - amd64
Using .txt script file at C:\Users\Alan\Desktop\SFCFixScript.txt [0]


Collect:: directive completed successfully.


Successfully processed all directives.
SFCFix version 2.4.5.0 by niemiro has completed.
Currently storing 0 datablocks.
Finish time: 2015-08-02 13:58:18.806
----------------------EOF----------------------

 

[AlanCB]

I forgot to indicate that his thread was created as a result of my introductory post "Hi-just joined with hope of resolving Windows Update Problem 80072EE2" at www.sysnative.com/forums/introductions-new-members/15793-hi-just-joined-hope-of-resolving-windows-update-problem-80072ee2.html#post120679 , & on the recommendation of jcgriff2 :

Hi Alan,

I would advise starting a thread and getting things checked out.

Please follow these instructions - Windows Update Forum Posting Instructions

If nothing else, SFCFix app will give you a clean bill of health.

Regards. . .

JC

AlanCB

 

[zcomputerwiz]

CORRUPT: C:\WINDOWS\winsxs\amd64_microsoft-windows-u..ed-telemetry-client_31bf3856ad364e35_6.3.9600.17842_none_90da81a4dac50d54\utc.app.json
CORRUPT: C:\WINDOWS\winsxs\amd64_microsoft-windows-u..ed-telemetry-client_31bf3856ad364e35_6.3.9600.17842_none_90da81a4dac50d54\telemetry.ASM-WindowsDefault.json

These two files are false positives, SFC incorrectly notes them as corrupt.

Are there any particular Windows Updates that are giving you trouble?

 

[AlanCB]

CORRUPT: C:\WINDOWS\winsxs\amd64_microsoft-windows-u..ed-telemetry-client_31bf3856ad364e35_6.3.9600.17842_none_90da81a4dac50d54\utc.app.json
CORRUPT: C:\WINDOWS\winsxs\amd64_microsoft-windows-u..ed-telemetry-client_31bf3856ad364e35_6.3.9600.17842_none_90da81a4dac50d54\telemetry.ASM-WindowsDefault.json

These two files are false positives, SFC incorrectly notes them as corrupt.

Are there any particular Windows Updates that are giving you trouble?

Hi zcomputerwiz

Thank you very much for your reply.

Question: Are you saying that SFC Fix has fixed the only genuine corrupted file (Amd64\CNBJ2530.DPB of version 6.3.9600.17415), and that there is nothing further that needs to be done, because the other 2 files are not really corrupted ?

No - I am not aware as to whether there are any particular Windows Updates (KBs) that are causing any problems.

My problem was that the Windows Update process would not detect whether there were any updates available (it failed with error codes 80072EE2 & 80072EFE, for both the automatic & manual update attempts). I do not know what the cause was.

I noticed that although my internet connection was working normally, that there was NO LAN internet connection activity on my Router, when I clicked "Check for Updates", which is not normal.

Strangely enough, I also noticed, that in spite of the fact that the Windows Update Process was not working, that the Windows Event Viewer, indicated that several Window Updates were automatically installed without my knowledge, during that period when Windows Update was not supposed to be working.

My Windows Update "Setting" is "Check for updates, but let me choose whether to download and install them", so I do not understand why it would be automatically installing those updates, unless of course they had been downloaded prior to the start of Windows Update problem 80072EE2, but for some reason were not actually installed at that time.
Another possibility is that Microsoft might have been automatically downloading & installing "Windows 10-related" files, in preparation for the free Windows 10 upgrade, which however, I had not requested as yet.

Regards
AlanCB

 

[zcomputerwiz]

Question: Are you saying that SFC Fix has fixed the only genuine corrupted file (Amd64\CNBJ2530.DPB of version 6.3.9600.17415), and that there is nothing further that needs to be done, because the other 2 files are not really corrupted ?

Yes :)

failed with error codes 80072EE2 & 80072EFE, for both the automatic & manual update attempts

These error codes are both connectivity related, something was preventing the computer from contacting the Windows Update servers or the servers were overloaded. Usually waiting a while, restarting the computer, or restarting the networking equipment will take care of it.

My Windows Update "Setting" is "Check for updates, but let me choose whether to download and install them", so I do not understand why it would be automatically installing those updates

Do you have Microsoft Security Essentials installed?

 

[AlanCB]

Hi zcomputerwiz

Thanks for confirming the SFCFix of the only genuinely corrupted file & your other comments.

failed with error codes 80072EE2 & 80072EFE, for both the automatic & manual update attempts........

These error codes are both connectivity related, something was preventing the computer from contacting the Windows Update servers or the servers were overloaded. Usually waiting a while, restarting the computer, or restarting the networking equipment will take care of it.

I restarted the Notebook PC & Router several times, but did NOT "re-set" the Router, & it took about 30 days for the problem to resolve itself, without further intervention by me, after my previous failed attempts with the MS Troubleshooting tool & Fixit tools.

My Windows Update "Setting" is "Check for updates, but let me choose whether to download and install them", so I do not understand why it would be automatically installing those updates .......

Do you have Microsoft Security Essentials installed?

No - Win 8 Pro came with Windows Defender (WD) and Windows Firewall (WF), which I replaced with Norton Internet Security 2014.

Question: Could it be downloading & installing updates for WD & WF, even though I am using NIS instead of WD & WF, & have selected the WU option "Check for updates, but let me choose whether to download and install them" ?

Regards
AlanCB

 

[zcomputerwiz]

It's possible; open Windows Defender from the Control Panel. If it isn't enabled, it should display a pop up stating that it is turned off.

Since you already have NIS you should turn Windows Defender off:
In Windows Defender, click Tools, and then click Options, click Administrator, clear the Turn on this app check box, and then click Save.

I would recommend leaving the Windows Firewall as is, there are some other Windows components that depend on it.

 

[AlanCB]

Hi zcomputerwiz

Thank very much for your answer/advice

..........
Since you already have NIS you should turn Windows Defender off..............................

Windows Defender was turned off when NIS was installed.

..........I would recommend leaving the Windows Firewall as is, there are some other Windows components that depend on it.

NIS "Smart Firewall" requires that Windows Firewall is turned OFF, which it is. I would probably have to uninstall NIS if I have to use Windows Firewall.

I would imagine that Norton must be aware of the dependency of some Windows components on Windows Firewall, & hopefully would have ensured that Smart Firewall can now deal with that dependency in the current NIS version 22.5.2.15. (actually it now NIS15, although I originally purchased NIS14).

What are those Windows components ?

Regarding the possibility that Windows is automatically downloading & installing updates for WD & WD, even though they are turned OFF for NIS, I will have to look for evidence of it.

Regards
AlanCB

 

[AlanCB]

Hi again zcompuretwiz
Tried to edit my last reply, but exceeded 15 minute limit, which I think is much too short.

More questions - should SFCFix be run as a matter of routine, in order to ensure that corrupted system files are detected early & replaced ?
If not, how about routinely running "scannow" &/or "DISM Restore Health" ?
If yes, how often ?

Regards
AlanCB

 

[zcomputerwiz]

Yes, Norton is generally very good about turning off the right things. Usually in previous versions of Windows if you opened the Windows Firewall when NIS was installed it would state that the settings were managed by Norton Internet Security.

No, you shouldn't have to run SFCFix unless you are posting logs to get help in a thread here.
SFC and DISM are intended to detect and repair system file corruption and Windows Update servicing problems. You can run them as often as you like, but personally I only run them when I encounter unusual behavior on the computer such as Windows Updates failing to install or Windows programs crashing.

One thing I would highly recommend is to make regular backups of your computer; it's something that's easy to do but often overlooked.

 

[AlanCB]

Hi zcomputerwiz

Thank you for your answers & advice,

..........SFC and DISM are intended to detect and repair system file corruption and Windows Update servicing problems. You can run them as often as you like, but personally I only run them when I encounter unusual behavior on the computer such as Windows Updates failing to install or Windows programs crashing..............

When I was getting the Windows Update Error 80072EE2, DISM Restore Health would not repair some corrupted files, which led me to believe that the DISM Restore Health "corrupted file repair process" probably required that the Windows Update process was working; hence my reason for considering the routine running of "scannow" &/or "DISM Restore Health", both to increase the chance of successfully repairing corrupted files in general, & in particular, repairing corrupted files that could lead to the failure of the Windows Update process.

..........make regular backups of your computer.....

I do "full disk" backups using Acronis True Image, & also some "manual backups" (copy & paste) of selected files & folders, to a USB3.0 EHD every 3 - 4 weeks.
Should really do them weekly, but it is very time-consuming.
Regards
Alan CB