Troubleshooting update issues for Microsoft Security Essentials

Support for Windows 7 ended on January 14, 2020

We recommend you move to a Windows 10 PC to continue to receive security updates from Microsoft.

Microsoft Security Essentials works automatically with Microsoft Update to ensure that your virus and spyware definitions are kept up to date.

Symptoms

Here are some common issues with automatic updates:

You see error messages indicating that updates have failed.

When you check for updates, you receive an error message that the virus and spyware definition updates can’t be checked, downloaded, or installed.

Even though you’re connected to the Internet, the updates fail.

Updates don’t automatically install as scheduled.

Cause

The most common causes for update issues are problems with Internet connectivity. If you’re online, then the issue might be caused by conflicts with your settings in Windows Internet Explorer.

Solution

Note: You have to exit Internet Explorer to complete these steps. Therefore, print them, write them down, or copy them to another file, and then bookmark this topic for future access.

Step 1: Reset your Internet Explorer settings

Exit all open programs, including Internet Explorer.

Note: Resetting these settings in Internet Explorer deletes your temporary files, cookies, browsing history, and your online passwords. But, your favorites won’t be deleted.

Click Start, and in the Start Search box, type inetcpl.cpl, and then press Enter.

In the Internet Options dialog box, click the Advanced tab.

Under the Reset Internet Explorer settings, click Reset, and then click Reset again.

Wait until Internet Explorer finishes resetting the settings, and then click OK.

Open Internet Explorer.

Open Microsoft Security Essentials, click the Update tab, and then click Update. If the issue persists, go on to the next step.

Step 2: Set Internet Explorer as the default browser

Exit all open programs, including Internet Explorer.

Click Start, and in the Start Search box, type inetcpl.cpl, and then press Enter.

In the Internet Options dialog box, click the Programs tab.

Under Default Web browser, click Make default. Click OK.

Open Microsoft Security Essentials. Click the Update tab, and then click Update. If the issue persists, go on to the next step.

Step 3: Ensure that the date and time are set correctly on your PC

Open Microsoft Security Essentials.

If the error message that you received contains the code 0x80072f8f, the problem is most likely caused by an incorrect date or time setting on your PC.

To reset your PC’s date or time setting, follow the steps in Fix broken desktop shortcuts and common system maintenance tasks.

Step 4: Rename the Software Distribution folder on your PC

Stop the Automatic Updates service

Click Start, click Run, type services.msc, and then click OK.

Right-click the Automatic Updates service, and then click Stop.

Minimize the Services snap-in.

If the error message that you received contains the code 0x80072f8f, the problem is most likely caused by an incorrect date or time setting on your PC.

Rename the SoftwareDistribution directory as follows:

Click Start, click Run, type cmd, and then click OK.

Type cd %windir%, and then press Enter.

Type ren SoftwareDistribution SDTemp, and then press Enter.

Type exit, and then press Enter.

Start the Automatic Updates service as follows:

Maximize the Services snap-in.

Right-click Automatic Updates service, and then click Start.

Close the Services snap-in window.

Step 5: Reset the Microsoft antivirus update engine on your PC

Click Start, click All Programs, click Accessories, and then right-click Command Prompt, and then select Run as administrator.

In the Command Prompt window, type the following commands and press Enter after each command:

Cd program files\microsoft security essentials

Mpcmdrun –removedefinitions –all

Restart your PC.

Open Microsoft Security Essentials, click the Update tab, and then click Update. If the issue persists, go on to the next step.

Step 6: Manually install the virus and spyware definition updates

If you’re running a 32-bit Windows operating system, download the latest updates manually at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=87342.

If you’re running a 64-bit Windows operating system, download the latest updates manually at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=87341.

Click Run. The latest updates are manually installed on your PC.

Step 7: Contact support

If the steps did not resolve the issue, contact support. For more information, see Customer Support.

Windows Security Update Install Problems

I seem to be unable to install a set of (mostly security) October updates on my Toshiba L755 running Windows 7. I have tried installing with a clean restart, cleaning up the registry (using CCleaner), running without (Norton) antivirus or firewall software….nothing works. The Microsoft automatic troubleshooter even tells me that it was unable to do anything about the recent update failures. Any idea what I should do next.? The problem updates, along with the error codes, are as follows:

· Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2864058); 800F0826

· Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2884256); 800F0826

· Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2847311); 800F0826

· Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer 10 for Windows 7 Service Pack 1 for x64-based Systems (KB2879017); 800F0826

· Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2864202); 800F0826

· Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2868038); 80070020

· Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2862335); 80070020

· Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2846960); 800F0826

· Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2888049); 800F0826

· Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2883150); 800F0826

· Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2882822); Code 800F0826

Replies (11) 

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KB 2859537
KB 2872339
KB 2882822
not install.

1 person found this reply helpful

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Microsoft does not recommend using Registry Cleaners. We strongly recommend that you only change values in the registry that you understand or have been instructed to change by a source you trust. Be sure to back up the registry before making any changes. Refer the link provided below for more information.

Are registry cleaners necessary?

Windows Update error 800f0826 is displayed when an update for Windows has failed to install and is preventing you from installing additional updates. Error 800f0826 does not identify the update that has caused the problem. The update that has caused the problem will display a different error. This problem affects updates for Windows only and does not prevent you from installing or automatically receiving updates for other Microsoft programs, such as the Microsoft Office System.

To troubleshoot issue with Error Code 800f0826 during Windows Update check the troubleshooting steps provided in the link below.

If you receive Windows Update error 80070020, the cause might be a that program running on your computer is interfering with Windows Update. This problem can often be solved by restarting your computer and running Windows Update again.

If the troubleshooting steps provided above do not help try to Reset the Windows Update Components.

Hope the information provided helps. Let us know the status of the issue once you are done with the troubleshooting steps.

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This problem may occur if one or more of the following conditions are true:

a. If the Windows Update database is corrupted.

b. If the Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) service does not receive a content link header.

c. If a required system file is registered incorrectly.

I would suggest you to run System Update readiness tool and check.

System Update Readiness Tool detects incorrect manifests, Cabinets, or registry data, it may replace the incorrect data with a corrected version available. Refer to the link:

System Update Readiness Tool fixes Windows Update errors in Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008 R2, and Windows Server 2008

Please let us know if the issue persists. We will be happy to assist you further.

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Hello Microsoft Support Engineer

Not to hijack this thread but this thread came up when I searched regarding KB2864202 (a problematic update)

No Microsoft Support Engineers have commented upon a much longer thread regarding the problems associated with the KB2864202 update

There may be a connection between this single case (current thread) which you have commented upon and the other thread that has multiple users commenting that there is a problem (not visited by a Microsoft Engineer yet).

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Hello Microsoft Support Engineer

Not to hijack this thread but this thread came up when I searched regarding KB2864202 (a problematic update)

No Microsoft Support Engineers have commented upon a much longer thread regarding the problems associated with the KB2864202 update

There may be a connection between this single case (current thread) which you have commented upon and the other thread that has multiple users commenting that there is a problem (not visited by a Microsoft Engineer yet).

Was this reply helpful?

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I have tried everything you have suggested on this thread and in Microsoft help. I have tried a clean restart. nothing

I have tried the System Update readiness tool. which gives me this.

Checking Windows Servicing Packages

Checking Package Manifests and Catalogs

(f) CBS MUM Corrupt 0x00000000 servicing\Packages\Microsoft-Windows-IE-Hyphenation-Parent-Package-English

10.2.9200.16437.mum Expected file name Microsoft-Windows-IE-Hyphenation-Parent-Package-English

10.2.9200.16437.mum does not match the actual file name

(f) CBS MUM Corrupt 0x00000000 servicing\Packages\Microsoft-Windows-IE-Spelling-Parent-Package-English

10.2.9200.16437.mum Expected file name Microsoft-Windows-IE-Spelling-Parent-Package-English

10.2.9200.16437.mum does not match the actual file name

(f) CBS MUM Corrupt 0x800F0900 servicing\Packages\Package_4_for_KB2872339

(f) CBS Catalog Corrupt 0x800B0100 servicing\Packages\Package_5_for_KB2872339

(f) CSI Could Not Open file 0x0000045D winsxs\Manifests\amd64_microsoft.windows.h..ideshow-driverclass_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.16385_none_793412353cedf013.manifest amd64_microsoft.windows.h..ideshow-driverclass_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.16385_none_793412353cedf013

(f) CSI Repairing: CreateFile Failed 0x0000045D winsxs\Manifests\amd64_microsoft.windows.h..ideshow-driverclass_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.16385_none_793412353cedf013.manifest amd64_microsoft.windows.h..ideshow-driverclass_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.16385_none_793412353cedf013

(f) CSI Could Not Open file 0x0000045D winsxs\Manifests\amd64_microsoft.windows.h..iverclass.resources_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.16385_en-us_2c13cd2d39a768d8.manifest amd64_microsoft.windows.h..iverclass.resources_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.16385_en-us_2c13cd2d39a768d8

(f) CSI Repairing: CreateFile Failed 0x0000045D winsxs\Manifests\amd64_microsoft.windows.h..iverclass.resources_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.16385_en-us_2c13cd2d39a768d8.manifest amd64_microsoft.windows.h..iverclass.resources_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.16385_en-us_2c13cd2d39a768d8

(f) CSI Could Not Open file 0x0000045D winsxs\Manifests\amd64_microsoft.windows.h..iverclass.resources_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.16385_en-us_03acae5aa2c6f84a.manifest amd64_microsoft.windows.h..iverclass.resources_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.16385_en-us_03acae5aa2c6f84a

(f) CSI Repairing: CreateFile Failed 0x0000045D winsxs\Manifests\amd64_microsoft.windows.h..iverclass.resources_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.16385_en-us_03acae5aa2c6f84a.manifest amd64_microsoft.windows.h..iverclass.resources_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.16385_en-us_03acae5aa2c6f84a

(f) CSI Could Not Open file 0x0000045D winsxs\Manifests\amd64_microsoft.windows.h..iverclass.resources_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.16385_en-us_0815c0b2b1324480.manifest amd64_microsoft.windows.h..iverclass.resources_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.16385_en-us_0815c0b2b1324480

(f) CSI Repairing: CreateFile Failed 0x0000045D winsxs\Manifests\amd64_microsoft.windows.h..iverclass.resources_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.16385_en-us_0815c0b2b1324480.manifest amd64_microsoft.windows.h..iverclass.resources_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.16385_en-us_0815c0b2b1324480

Seconds executed: 1235

Found 12 errors

CSI Could Not Open file Total count: 4

CSI Repairing: CreateFile Failed Total count: 4