My computer recently started kicking up an 8024400E Error when attempting update.
To fix this this I deleted the SoftwareDistribution Folder on my computer to clear any corrupt or stuck Windows Updates, full details below.
Solving the Windows Update 8024400E Error (also applies to 8024400A & 8024400D)
Go to Start- In the Run box type services.exe and hit enter
- Find the ‘Windows Update‘ (leave the Services windows open) at the bottom of the list
- Right click it and select stop (leave the Services windows open)
- Browse to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution in My Computer/Windows Explorer and Delete its contents
- Return to the services window
- Find the ‘Windows Update‘ service at the bottom of the list, right click it and select start
Now this changed my error from 8024400E to a 80072EE2 which fortunately I have seen before, the solution is below.
Solving the Windows Update 80072EE2 Error
To fix this I simply performed the follow steps:
Go to Start- In the Run box type regedit and hit enter
- In the registry editor, browse to the folder in the left hand panel to the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate folder and delete the keys in the right hand pane called WUServer and WIStatusServer
- In the Run box type services.exe and hit enter
- Find the ‘Windows Update‘ service at the bottom of the list
- Right click it and select Restart
THANK YOU! This was the simplest fix after spending a ridiculous amount of time on the problem. Wishing you good health, prosperity, and happiness.
No worries – I’m glad it helped! All the best to you for 2015!
Brilliant fix
please i not have the voice windosw update!! in my register thanks
No worries is right; you’re the best, Bob!
Hi Bob i have the same problem with the nokia lumia 520 it gives me a few error codes like : 80072ee2; c00cee4f and 805a0194
Hi Jerome,
Wow – never heard of the problem on a phone before. I haven’t had a Windows phone for many years now I’m afraid so can’t offer much insight!
Thanks. worked great!
there is no “windows update ” under “windows”
I also don’t see any windows update under the windows task, somethings wrong why is it working for everyone else
Hi Bob,
Thanks
All working for me.
Thank you BOB the Fixer!!!!! Thanks a ton. this fixed and sorted a long time issue for me and our org.
Much appreciated.
The best thing ever happened in my life was google :p
sir what if i don’t have windowsupdate
local machines/software/policies/microsoft/windows/ ? i don’t have windowsupdate T_T pls help
bob,i don’t have windows update under windows in my registry editor
me too.. have you solve it?
I have done the same with server 2008 but still problem same
Error message 80072EE2 also come up when one is not connected to the internet.
What is the solution in this case? I have both Mac and Windows. My Mac is connected to Safari but Windows is not connected to Internet. All my Windows updates have worked until today.
Still not resolved, followed the same steps but no luck. is there any other way to fix this error.
Hi,
In case of error 80072EE2 you should add the dwords below to:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU]
“DetectionFrequency”=dword:00000001
“DetectionFrequencyEnabled”=dword:00000001
“NoAutoRebootWithLoggedOnUsers”=dword:00000000
This worked. Thanks!
Nope, I have tried all these fixes and still nothing….won’t update still getting same error…..
Fixed. Solution C was the most efficient and 100% consistent fix for me. Thanks to op for providing the solution and monitoring the thread for improvements. I might have some shorter steps for folks. These are in order of simplicity and time saved. If you are registry savvy and trying to fix a Win7 machine in your workplace, skip to C because it will likely solve your problem the fastest.
The following steps were performed on about 12 different Windows 7 SP1 machines with 100% success. There is a link to the WindowsUpdate.diagcab tool at bottom of this comment. Note: The tool will run fine from a network location if that helps.
A) First thing to try is to just restart. I found a couple of our lab machines hadn’t been restarted in a while and a quick restart solved the problem.
1a. Restart
1b. Run Windows Updates and Check for Updates.
1c. Repeat 1b until all updates have been downloaded and applied.
1d. If that didn’t fix the issue, move onto B.
B) Run the WindowsUpdate.diagcab tool AFTER a restart. I tried running this tool before restarting and it would fail. After the restart, it worked.
1b. Restart (May need to restart again if you tried steps from A and failed but I’m not sure).
2b. Run the WindowsUpdate.diagcab tool.
3b. If you get all green indicators in the tool, close it and run Windows Updates and Check for Updates.
4b. Repeat 3b until all updates have been downloaded and applied.
5b. If that didn’t fix the issue, move onto C.
C) While steps A and B solved the problem for a couple of our lab machines, a number of machines weren’t fixed and required a different step. Now it’s time to try and delete just the regkeys as outlined in the original post. This shortcut avoids deleting all the Windows Update content and running the Windows Update repair tool.
1c. Delete the regkeys. See original post for details.
2c. Restart
3c. Run Windows Updates and Check for Updates.
4c. Repeat 3c until all updates have been downloaded and applied.
5c. If that didn’t fix the issue, move onto D.
D) Steps A, B and C solved 100% of the issues for our lab machines. If you need to press on, try these steps which avoid deleting all the WindowsUpdate content.
1c. Delete the regkeys. See original post for details.
2c. Restart
3c. Run the WindowsUpdate.diagcab tool
4c. If you get all green indicators in the tool, close it and run Windows Updates and Check for Updates.
5c. Repeat 4c until all updates have been downloaded and applied.
6c. If that didn’t fix the issue, try deleting the downloaded content as described in the original post. I tried all those steps on my first machine and it did work. All my other machines were able to solve the issue with either A, B or C solutions.
WindowsUpdate.diagcab tool can be downloaded here after answer a few basic questions from Microsoft: http://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/10164
My Scenario Notes: My regkey entries had pointers to internal Windows Update servers at my work. Perhaps our IT department updated those servers and these VMs didn’t get the memo. I’m not sure why some of our machines ran into this problem and others didn’t. The other interesting tidbit is that all these problem machines haven’t downloaded an update since 8/15/2016. Not sure if that coincides with some major Windows Update but I suspect it does. All my machines were VMs running in vSphere.
Best of luck. Hope this helps someone out there.
Wow thats fantastic Alex – excellent in-depth update, thanks for sharing it!
[email protected] Thank you
Joe Martinez Need help
Simple fix for the Windows Update Error 80072EE2, 8024400A, 8024400D & 8024400E
Download the Windows Update Mini Tool
Bob I realise that it is an old system, but I have followed up to…HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows then I don’t have WindowsUpdate folder?
I had a HDD crash and installed a new on. I am trying to update Win 7 home premium. So far it has taken some updates but not others. Even when I try to install different updates singularly. I have a screen shot of the ones thet has installed and the ones that have failed, but don’t know how to attach it.
Bravo
Hello Bob,
Thanks for your great guide in your post: http://bobmckay.com/i-t-support-networking/simple-fix-windows-update-error-80072ee2-8024400a-8024400d-8024400e/
Except, in our office domain, whenever i reboot, or do a gpupdate /force and our internal WSUS server is typed into our registry database, the error returns.
Do you have any suggestions as to why we receive this error, when using our own WSUS server, instead of Microsoft Update?
Much appreciated!
Regards. Andreas
Hi Andreas,
I hope you don’t mind but I added your question as a comment as it might help others. Am I right in thinking that you have been adding the WSUS server entries to your registry in order to point client machines to your WSUS server? If they are having trouble updating, have you tried telneting to the WSUS server from the client machine on the port listed in the registry setting? The standard port is 8530.
I have windows 7 64 bit and it does not have the last folder, Windows update.
Is the correct repair for my windows 7 64 bit.
Thank you
James Leaton
80072EE2 I have tried follow your instructions but the last folder windows update does not exist on my computer. Windows 7 64 bit. Am I missing something
James
Hi James,
In my instructions ‘Windows Update’ refers to the service, not a folder.
Hope this helps
I didn’t find the last folder ‘Windows Update’ could you help me out.
Hi Damu,
‘Windows Update’ isn’t a folder, this refers to the windows service you need to stop/restart. If you mean you cannot find the entry in the registry called WindowsUpdate, try searching for the ‘WUServe’r and ‘WIStatusServer’ keys instead but be careful with the registry editor as you can trash your machine easily deleting the wrong keys.
Hey Bob,
The WindowsUpdate entry is not in the regedit. I think this is because windows update has never ran (because it gets this error) on my newly created partition with sp1. I am just stabbing in the dark here. Any further guidance would be greatly appreciated. I am on a home network, behind no firewall, and just reformatted my computer with a legit 64 bit windows 7 home premium disc up to service pack 1.
Hi Heath,
The windows update entry you see is generally only created in ‘Domain’ environments where there is an internal update server (WSUS server) that clients are supposed to update from to it makes sense you wouldn’t have it on a home machine.
Regarding those who can’t find the afore mentioned folders in ‘Regedit’
you may want to Highlite ur statement about those folders not being in th Registry on a Home machine. Ur page is very helpful but i still have not cleared th ‘Windows Update Error 80072EE2’ from my windows 7 SP1 Home Machine. ur comment is quoted below: “May 25, 2015 at 4:41 pm Hi Heath,
The windows update entry you see is generally only created in ‘Domain’ environments where there is an internal update server (WSUS server) that clients are supposed to update from to it makes sense you wouldn’t have it on a home machine.” My Suggestion; U WOULDN’T HAVE THESE ‘REGISTRY’ FOLDERS ON A HOME MACHINE. sorry not trying to shout, trying to emphasize.
********************An update for everyone having this issue!**************
I did a little more digging and found this automatic trouble shooter on windows website.
I ran this and it immediately solved my issue. It did say it was registry files too so we were
on the right track, this just does it for you and is a lot safer than messing with regedit!
Hope this helps you all!
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Install-Windows-updates
Hi Heath,
Thanks for the link, for me however this just seems to point to the Windows Updates info page. Was this the page: http://support.microsoft.com/en-us/gp/windows-update-issues/en-us
That was the tool that finally fixed the issue…
Hi Pesi,
Thanks for posting – which tool? (could be useful for other readers)
The link you mentioned correctly above – the tool was the “windows update automated troubleshooter”.
Thanks.
You need to select the “What can I do if I’m having problems installing updates?” link and the link will show
• Make sure that your PC is connected to the Internet. Some updates can’t be installed if you’re using a metered Internet connection.
•If you’re connected the Internet and updates aren’t installed automatically, wait a few minutes and then try to install the updates manually.
•Use the Windows Update Troubleshooter to try to fix the problem.
I’m having an issue as well with a brand new, out of the box Dell. Win firewall is turned off. Those REG keys are NOT present on my system. Flushed DNS cache several times. Stumped.
Never mind. My fix was to disconnect from the wireless network I was on (thus, removing the profile) and re-connecting.
Hi Kevin,
Glad you got it sorted!
This worked, except that I after I deleted these registry entries I was getting a different error code 80070057. I restarted the Windows Update service and everything worked.
Hey Andrew,
Thanks for the update! After a registry change I always generally do a system reboot to be sure all changes have taken hold.
Great piece, had given up hope on my laptop after useless MS windows update repair script and hours of fruitless searching on the web, it’s now perfect
Hey John, thanks for the comment and glad it helped!
FIX FOUND. Windows Update error 80072ee2. Buddy of mine running WIN 7 64-bit with SEP 12.1. We have identical systems and are both using SEP 12.1. No proxies. About a month ago he started getting Microsoft Update error 80072ee2 when running windows update with SEP enabled. Disabling SEP he gets the updates without error. Enabling SEP once more and trying to MS Update again, and the Microsoft Update error 80072ee2 recurs. Adding recommended exceptions to Symantec Endpoint Threat Protection trusted domains did not resolve. Running a repair from Programs * Features – same problem. Uninstalled and reinstalled SEP and problem solved. Hope this helps. Bob Spiteri
Hey Bob, Know you made this tutorial a while ago but on my windows 7 machine it has no reg of the both mentioned ( WUServer and WIStatusServer ) they are none excistant and i used the find tool and find next tools.
hey bob !
when i use HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate in command prompt, it shows, ‘the system cannot find the path specified’.
help me with this issue, because i m not able to update my windows 7 just because of this error code 80072ee2 .
HI Jasdev,
That’s because that isn’t a folder – its the location of the key in the registry (you need to use ‘regedit’ (but use it carefully!).
i m not getting it right how to overcome this problem
Hi Bob, sorry to butt in but I have the same issue as Jasdev. There is absolutely no entry in regedit (folder or key) resembling the entry WindowsUpdate to be found in that path. I did a search to no avail and also tried to reinstall Windows Update (got a message saying it was already installed(?)). Any suggestions?
will this also work on windows 8.1
i cant find the WUServer and WIStatusServer
Hi Tatmat,
Have you tried using the search facility in regedit?
Just wanted to share I was getting that annoying 80072EE2 error as well today after cloning a sysprepped machine. Turns out I had set the default proxy settings on the cloned machine with ‘netsh winhttp set proxy {proxy info}’. After moving the machine to another network that proxy no longer worked (duh) so I cleared the proxy setting with ‘netsh winhttp reset proxy’ and that fixed it for me.
Hope this is helpful to anyone still plagued with this issue. 🙂
Hey Ron,
That’s great – many thanks for posting this, I’m sure it’ll help others which is always a good thing!
I know this is an old thread, just wanted to say +1 on the proxy solution. I had mucked with the network’s proxy, hadn’t realized it affected updates. Once I set the client with proper proxy settings then updates started chugging again, thanks!
Can I Say you thanks???
hahhahaahah
Thanks BOB!!
Hi Dude!
I have a problem, your Fixes solved some of the errors here mentioned.
But i have one without solve.
error 80072EE2. when i go to the Regedit, the folder “Windows Update” doesn’t exist!
i search in all folder possible, and didn’t found anything.
Windows Update still give me the error, and i saw in the Update Historial the Win10 Pro Update! It Failed!!!
i need to uninstall stuff to upgrade, it says GWX.
but the error is there and i don’t know what to do next, if you can help me, i appreciate it.
Thx
Hi Vulnez,
All I can suggest doing is a search of the registry for ‘WindowsUpdate’ (there is no space between the words as in your comment).
Good luck!
Yeah, i know, i search for “WindowsUpdate”, without spaces in between.
it only appears “Windows”, like the image you have, but nothing next, or similar to “WindowsUpdate”.
Don’t know how, but the problem is solved…
Anyways i need to thank you, cuz’, i solve another problem.
Win10 Pro x64 is Downloading, and it might be upgraded in few minutes!
Thanks for trying to solve my prev problem, i’ll add this link to Fav Tab, and if it happens again, i’ll see it, cuz’ i’ll forgett all steps to do, that’s for sure.
Thanks m8!
Hey Vulnez,
Glad it helped and thanks for the post!
Hi Bob i to have a client machine 80072EE2 i have found the registry path also with the relevant reg keys,
i see my wusus server name in there, what will happen when i delete the keys? will it restore them after successful updates? and repoint the reg keys to my WUSUS server?
this error 80072EE2 appeared afther trying to solve another windows update problem, i have a client machine that reverts back from an update, and displays this on the “starting Windows” screen MCupdate_genuineIntel.
i simply tried to delete the C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution.
feels like i am going two steps back each time i try a FIX.
Failure Content Install Installation Failure: Windows failed to install the following update with error 0x80071a91 this is from the windowsupdate log file.
was trying to fix the above error first.
***Sigh***
Hi Matt,
I honestly don’t know if the registry keys will be re-created automatically but you can always manually re-add them afterwards. Personally, our policy has been to ditch WSUS on all SME networks because it caused way more problems than it solved, particularly in SBS environments where it ate up resources (and the clean up tools are useless).
No problem Bob i give it ago before i format the PC going to give http://download.wsusoffline.net/
ago to get up and running faster.
hi bob. i just installed windows 10 and got this problem. and there is no wuserver and wistatusserver. and then i run services.exe but nothing happened. what should i do now?
i was searching WUServer but it only showed “finished searching through registry”
Thank you sir,
This is the simplest way to fix 8024400E …. thanks a lot
When I try to run services.exe, nothing happens. Any tips?
Hi, try services.msc
Dear Bob: In the step 3 of your description, after “Windows” I did not find “WindowsUpdate”, so I could not erase the corresponding keys in the right hand panel.
1 Go to Start
2 In the Run box type regedit and hit enter
3 In the registry editor, browse to the folder in the left hand panel to the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate folder and delete the keys in the right hand pane called WUServer and WIStatusServer
4 In the Run box type services.exe and hit enter
5 Find the ‘Windows Update‘ service at the bottom of the list
Right click it and select Restart
Hi Ivan,
You may need to reinstall your Windows Update service, see this link: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/windows-update-error-80004002
Bob i have a problem from windows update this is the code: 80072EE2
Hi Bob,
Thanks a lot with this.. But, is there any chances of causing problem deleting those entries? Actually, I was having this issue with two computers. One of them, solved the problem itself (no idea), the oher one, when I followed your steps, said that the 144 updates where no longer needed to install and the option to look for other updates dissapeared.
Thanks again!
Hi Flavio, its impossible to say I’m afraid as there are so many variations out there. My steps above are essentially a digest of the various fixes from Microsoft so shouldn’t cause any problems!
It is working!!. Thank you very much Bob…
Thank You Very Mush
Was Very Helpful
This helped me solve at least one issue on a Windows Server 2008 R2 when none of the other fix-it tools would work.
I still have several to dig through.
This sort of started happening for me when I made changes to the WSUS server in our environment. Great find. Creating the reg key file to simplify this for me now.
Thanks!
I should add that the entries will be recreated the next time policies are updated.
Does this apply to Windows Server 2008 R2 as well?
Hi Sam,
Yes it should do.
this it very clear….
I have little problem on my computer on regedit don’t have last folder windows update….
pls help me because want to upgrade windows 10
I am having 80072ee.. error,tried your method by i didn’t find windows/windowsupdate folder at the end!please help.
Nice fix, Thanks!!!
Thank you a lot!!! Saved my Day!
if none of that works i downloaded the windows update standalone installer
This is a great post, but unfortunately will not work for me as I don’t have the two registry keys listed. This problem has been afflicting a workstation of mine for awhile. I’ve tried all the usual fixes, so suspect it might be something related to routing. The strange thing is that I also have a customer’s laptop in my shop that is getting the same error over its Ethernet connection, but when I switch to wireless (on the same network/subnet) it is able to scan for updates successfully. Very strange. Any ideas? Thanks
Great fix! after wasting time navigating MS support forums, your 80072EE2 Error fix nailed it. Thank you!
Pls am having the same problem…I cant update my window 7. It keep loading and report error at the end. I also can’t use wireless netwok connection because no network adapter on my system. I don’t know how to go about this pls.
I suggest u highlight th fact that those folders are not in th registry on a Home machine as per ur comment above as i keep seeing lots of users cant find th folders. NOT ON A HOME Machine. sorry not tryin to shout just emphasize. regedit will Not find them because they r not on a home machine.
So i went to majorgeeks n downloaded th Total Security 360. version 8.6.01133, then install & go down to ‘Toolbox’ n go over to second page of tools n click “PATCH” their Patch tool goes magically presto to th windows update n finds, downloads, n installs all th missing updates ur pc has not been getting because th dummies at at micro hole cant fix th windows update. feel free to edit my suggestion. tryin to help others but I’m un-sure what is allowed.
Ur page is very helpful.
Thanx Bob 4 sharing. i found many interesting links. have a gooday.
There is also Windows 7 Service Pack 2. Called : Convenience rollup update for Windows 7 SP1 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 found at
http://catalog.update.microsoft.com/v7/site/Search.aspx?q=KB3125574
Also I used th ‘tweak tool’ which worked fine but it does change ur permission of folder ownership so set a restore point, back up ur registry n clone ur drive Before u begin any of the steps.
Follow th instructions as th tweak tool developer knows what he is doing. Got it at majorgeeks
http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/tweaking_com_repair_windows_updates.html
it works perfectly, thanks
Error 80072EE2 also comes up when one is not connected to the internet.
If this didn’t fix your issue, maybe you’re having a slightly different problem.
I got the same error code but it was due to KB3148812 being installed on our WSUS server
This page showed me how to get the WSUS console working and updates going back to the end users:
http://www.grouppolicy.biz/2016/04/what-you-need-to-know-about-kb3148812/
Hello
Any help with Simple fix for the Windows Update Error 8024402C
Idiot
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINECOULD\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows \ “” COULD’NT FIND THE FOLDER WINDOWSUPDATE ” FOLLOWING THE LINK
Is there no solution for this sh*t? ref. 80072ee2.
Works fine in Windows 2008
Thank you all Mr Bob McKay for the help!
: http://support.microsoft.com/en-us/gp/windows-update-issues/en-us has worked perfectly !!
Hello-
I was turned to your fix for Error Code 8024400E by a friend and completed the first step of your fix. However, after completing that step I have a new Error Code 80244010 presented. Should I try the Rededit part of your fix for this Error Code? I searched for this code on your website, but found nothing.
Thanks!
Thanks a lot.it worked for me
Hi,
The two files you refer to does not exist in the folder: WUServer, WIStatusServer HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate. I only have two other files: (Default) and DisbleOSUpgrade.
What other options do I have to remove the 80072EE2 error?
M
i have same problem ?
worked great, thanks!
in reg i didn’t found both two registry . can you help me?
you are champion!
Why not just say check online for updates in wuapp panel?
All you people need to read better the solution is right there in the post. If windows update isn’t working stop the windows update service, and delete the software distribution folder. Then double check the registry and make sure there isn’t an entry for a custom windows update server. Restart the service and windows update will work. Thanks Bob!
Wszedłem do tego HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ Software \ Policies \ Microsoft \ Windows \ ale nie mam folderu WindowsUpdate, co mam zrobic w takim wypadku?
Worked like a charm! Thanks!
My kids use this pc mainly but Windows last updated 15 days ago and error 80072ee2 came up and now nothing connects to the internet. Not Google chrome which is used 99% of the time or internet explorer. Help!
There is no “windows update” folder in solving 80072EE2 Error
please help
POP u r the BEST ….. thanks man
No worries – glad it helped!
THANK YOU!!!
These steps worked perfectly on my windows 7 update issues. I’ve tried a host of steps from other sites including from Microsoft and none of them worked for my issue. Windows update is now downloading the files, whereas before it never got to that level–always ended up immediately with an error.
Hey admin!
I am facing this problem while update Windows 7. I tried all the methods but not all, hope you help me
Awesome!!! Fix for 80072EE2 worked for me.
Thank you, this finally worked for me!!!
in the right hand pane called WUServer and WIStatusServer
Didn’t find these did delete what was there
Toshiba C855D Win7 home premium
There is no windows update folder in windows folder in REGEDIT,,,!!
Hi
nothing appear when I write services.exe in run window, how to fix!?
Sriously ave failed to fix de error buh nwe…….lemi kip on trying…
hello sir! i am checking out on the solutions you have provided. however, i am not sure if only windows 7 starter doesn’t have the “run” box on “Start” what could be the alternative way for this? thank you and have a good day!
also… as a side note, if computer has 2 nics, make sure on one is configured with a gateway… Got 80072EE2 error and after the troubleshooting in your article noted above, didn\’t work, I check the nics and wouldn\’t you know it, someone added a gateway to the second nic. Removed that and updates working again. whew. Great article though, thank you very much!
Hi Todd,
Thanks for the additional pointer and for the comment!
Windows update is missing there from my pc. Could you help me out please?
in all my process i could not fine the Windows update for me to proceed to WU server and WIstatus server please help me get me to get out of the problem please
Bob, this was a very good fix for a problem others have really over complicated and not solved at all. You are a credit that can’t be overstated.
Suggested for all – check route to WSUS. Working firewall over network generate identical effect