Computer Problem.

I am using Windows 7 Home Premium. I automatically receive Windows Update messages which I eventually check, download and install. That is up until 15th October, 2012. The last lot of updates actually installed was 13 October 2012.

In my Action Centre today, I saw a message as follows "Windows could not search for new updates."

I immediately tried to search for new updates and got this message "Error(s) found code 8024402F." Then "Windows encountered an unknown error."

I tried the Trouble-shooter. After running this I got a message "Windows Update components must be repaired. Then "Fixed" plus a green tick.

I reran the update thingy and got exactly the same messages as above.

I tried rebooting twice but no change. I even did a complete close down and reboot twice.

Windows suggested waiting for 15 minutes and retrying to update. I did this but still same messages and no update.

Tried a Google check on that code 8024402F and from the results, thought that I had better get out of Google, not try any of them, but seek the help of an expert and thus my request.

Any help very much appreciated.

You could be like me and just ignore the updates. I too am on Windows 7 and don't do any updates and funny that - I have no problems, no spam, no issues at all. Microsoft are losing the battle so know that and turn the idiot machine updates off.

Hi Doug,

That blasted error code 8024402F! I am very familiar with it.

Firstly, I must explain I am far from being a computer techie, and somebody else much more knowledgeable might come along and give a better suggestion, but this is what worked for me.

(I got a lot of info from googling various technical forums to find out what was working for everybody else, as it is a common problem from what I can see).

Go into Control Panel, Programs, Uninstall a Program. Get rid of (i.e. Uninstall) anything referring to Microsoft .NET Framework 4 Client Profile. (not sure what it does anyway).

Then:-

In Windows Updates, rather than allowing the Updates to be automatically installed, tick the option ‘Check for updates but let me choose whether to download and install them’. You will have to discipline yourself to manually check for updates each day. After a while, you tend to do it naturally.

Recommended updates – tick the box which says “Give me recommended updates the same way I receive important updates”.

Who can install updates – tick the box which says “Allow all users to install updates on this computer”.

You will have to make sure when an Update comes up for Microsoft.NET Framework 4 Client Profile for Windows 7 blah blah blah that you do NOT reinstall it, otherwise you are back to square one.

I seem to be happily getting by without this. I tolerated the problem for nearly 3 weeks before I ventured to try to fix it, as none of the Fixit programs seemed to work.

I hope you get it sorted as it gets rather frustrating and time consuming. I am one of those people who DO all their updating, cleaning, scanning for malware etc.etc. and use ESET Smart Security 4.

Hi Doug,

That blasted error code 8024402F! I am very familiar with it. [][]

Firstly, I must explain I am far from being a computer techie, and somebody else much more knowledgeable might come along and give a better suggestion, but this is what worked for me.

(I got a lot of info from googling various technical forums to find out what was working for everybody else, as it is a common problem from what I can see).

Go into Control Panel, Programs, Uninstall a Program. Get rid of (i.e. Uninstall) anything referring to Microsoft .NET Framework 4 Client Profile. (not sure what it does anyway).

Then:-

In Windows Updates, rather than allowing the Updates to be automatically installed, tick the option ‘Check for updates but let me choose whether to download and install them’. You will have to discipline yourself to manually check for updates each day. After a while, you tend to do it naturally.

Recommended updates – tick the box which says “Give me recommended updates the same way I receive important updates”.

Who can install updates – tick the box which says “Allow all users to install updates on this computer”.

You will have to make sure when an Update comes up for Microsoft.NET Framework 4 Client Profile for Windows 7 blah blah blah that you do NOT reinstall it, otherwise you are back to square one.

I seem to be happily getting by without this. I tolerated the problem for nearly 3 weeks before I ventured to try to fix it, as none of the Fixit programs seemed to work.

I hope you get it sorted as it gets rather frustrating and time consuming. I am one of those people who DO all their updating, cleaning, scanning for malware etc.etc. and use ESET Smart Security 4.

Hi Hogiehorse.

Got to the part where you tick boxes for "Give me recommended updates the same way I receive important updates" and the one below that about "Allow all users etc>" and then I found two more below that, one about "Microsoft update" and the last one about "Software notifications." Do I tick those last two as well please? I'm thick eh but want to make sure.

Sorry Doug, but I am not sure about this as I don't have those two options showing. (Perhaps I should join you in the Thick Club ???)

Thank you. I ticked them at any rate. When I do a manual update check now, it still states that through that error code I am unable to do so. At least the
Action Centre no longer shows the fault. I now await to see what happens if or when Microsoft notify me that updates are available. I will indeed check them if they do appear and not install the nasty one. If no updates appear then I will just have to do without them.