Windows 7 won't update

Question

My problem is that Windows 7 won't update - legal MSDN copy. It says: "the update service is not started", and if I start it, it immediately shuts itself down. In the event viewer is nothing interesting to see, no fatals and no warnings, only start/stop events. I've got no clue from where to start looking, so here's an Hijackthis log:

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.3 (BETA)
Scan saved at 18:34:05, on 7/02/2010
Platform: Unknown Windows (WinNT 6.01.3504)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v8.00 (8.00.7600.16385)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\Windows\system32\taskhost.exe
C:\Windows\system32\Dwm.exe
C:\Windows\Explorer.EXE
C:\Windows\PLFSetI.exe
C:\Program Files\VMware\VMware Player\hqtray.exe
C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\avgnt.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Messenger\msnmsgr.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Sidebar\sidebar.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Contacts\wlcomm.exe
C:\Program Files\Skype\Phone\Skype.exe
C:\Program Files\Skype\Plugin Manager\skypePM.exe
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
C:\Program Files\TrendMicro\HiJackThis\HiJackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.google.be/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = 
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch = 
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyOverride = *.local
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar,LinksFolderName = 
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHelperStub - {18DF081C-E8AD-4283-A596-FA578C2EBDC3} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelperShim.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {5C255C8A-E604-49b4-9D64-90988571CECB} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: Groove GFS Browser Helper - {72853161-30C5-4D22-B7F9-0BBC1D38A37E} - C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12\GrooveShellExtensions.dll
O2 - BHO: Windows Live ID Sign-in Helper - {9030D464-4C02-4ABF-8ECC-5164760863C6} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Windows Live\WindowsLiveLogin.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PLFSetL] C:\Windows\\PLFSetL.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PLFSetI] C:\Windows\PLFSetI.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [VMware hqtray] "C:\Program Files\VMware\VMware Player\hqtray.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [avgnt] "C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\avgnt.exe" /min
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [msnmsgr] "C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Messenger\msnmsgr.exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Sidebar] C:\Program Files\Windows Sidebar\sidebar.exe /autoRun
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe /autoRun (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\RunOnce: [mctadmin] C:\Windows\System32\mctadmin.exe (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe /autoRun (User 'NETWORK SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\RunOnce: [mctadmin] C:\Windows\System32\mctadmin.exe (User 'NETWORK SERVICE')
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xporteren naar Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office12\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: Verzenden naar OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office12\ONBttnIE.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Verz&enden naar 

Answer 1

Try running this

Repair & Fix Windows Updates with Fix WU Utility

Answer 2

What does the tail end of C:\Windows\WindowsUpdate.log say? That's generally very helpful in diagnosing Windows Update problems. Opens very nicely in Excel - Notepad if not.

Answer 3

Looking at the date on that log... What date does your computer think it is? Having date/time way off can break things.

Answer 4

The following is from Microsoft. The 1st solution fixed my problem.

Thank you for contacting Microsoft Windows Update Support. My name is Judy, and I am glad to work with you. For your reference, the case ID for this service request is SRX1137237100. You can contact me directly by sending an email to v-30juwu@mssupport.microsoft.com with the case ID in the subject line.

From the case log, I understand that the error code 80072EFE was received when trying to perform Windows Update. If there has been any misunderstanding, please let me know.

I fully understand the inconvenience you have experienced. We will work together to resolve this issue through the course of the case.

This issue can be caused by one of the following factors:

1. The computer was attacked by viruses.
2. Some background programs, such as antivirus programs or firewalls (especially CA Firewall), block access to the Windows Update site.
3. Incorrect DNS Settings.

We will address some of the more common causes of this issue. It is important that we attempt to connect to the Windows Update web site after each step to confirm whether the resolution has worked. This will prevent us from having to proceed with additional troubleshooting steps and provide us with valuable feedback to further develop our support resolutions for you and our future customers. Your assistance is greatly appreciated.

Suggestion 1: Run the tool to clear spyware

1. Download the file TDSSKiller.zip from the following link and save it on the Desktop.

http://support.kaspersky.com/downloads/utils/tdsskiller.zip

1. Double click TDSSKiller.zip to unzip the file.
2. Double click TDSSKiller.exe to scan the system.
3. Wait for the scan and disinfection process to complete.

Please Note: The third-party product discussed here is manufactured by a company that is independent of Microsoft. We make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding this product's performance or reliability.

Now try Windows Update to see if the issue has been resolved. Please let us know if this step has resolved it. If not, please proceed to the next step.

Suggestion 2: Reset DNS Settings

1. Click "Start", input "NCPA.CPL" (without quotation marks) to Start Search bar and press "Enter".
2. Right-click the network connection and click "Properties".

If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

1. Click to highlight "Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6)" and click "Properties".
2. Check "Obtain an IP address automatically" and "Obtain DNS server address automatically".
3. Click "OK".
4. Click to highlight "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)" and click "Properties".
5. Check "Obtain an IP address automatically" and "Obtain DNS server address automatically".
6. Click "OK".
7. Reboot the computer.

Now try Windows Update again to check if the issue has been resolved. If not, please proceed to the next step.

Suggestion 3: Disable firewalls or other Internet browser programs that can affect the Internet connection

This issue could be caused by third party applications. Let's first try disabling or uninstalling any third party security applications you may have installed on the computer. Please be advised that this is for troubleshooting purposes only. Once we have resolved the issue, the applications should be re-enabled or reinstalled immediately. If the third party security application is determined to be the cause, please contact the vendor for assistance.

You may have a different security application not listed below that could also be causing the issue. Even if the firewall has been running for some time without any problems, new updates may create issues. Here is a list of the most common security applications:

Symantec Norton McAfee Zone Alarm Panda Security Kaspersky Sophos Antivirus Comodo Firewall AntispamSniper Webroot Spy Sweeper Accelerator Spybot

Once the third party security applications have been disabled or removed, please access the Windows Update web site again. If you encounter problems disabling these programs, we recommend completely uninstalling them while troubleshooting. Before uninstalling any application, please enable your Windows Firewall and ensure that you have the CDs or files needed to re-install the program.