Windows 7 Windows Update Error 80072f8f

Anonymous
2009-12-29T15:41:51+00:00

When trying to perform a windows update you may receive this error.

I just wanted to post that I found the fix in that the GTW CyberTrust certificate authority is not trusted in Windows 7/Internet Explorer.

Installing this certificate authority into the trusted authorities allows windows update to continue.

I could not find any solution after searching this site, so thought a post would work.

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Anonymous
2010-01-08T15:52:20+00:00

I had the same problem with mine, i tried the thing guitarfish suggested but that didn't work. Didn't understand how it can be becuase of the date and time, after hours of searching on the net, I managed to fix the problem myself and heres how i did it

click on your time and date (bottom right) then a windows should pop up, click on the link 'change date and time settings'. on the date and time window click on the internet time tab, click on Change settings button, then click on the 'update now' button, then click ok and exit the windows and now try your update.

it should work as it did for me

good luck

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  1. Anonymous
    2009-12-31T13:34:50+00:00

    Paul,

    Thanks for a very timely post, I've been struggling with 80072f8f since yesterday when I upgraded a Vista Business laptop to Windows 7 Pro.  BTW, I believe you meant to say the "GTE CyberTrust Global Root" certificate.

    For any who don't know how to install this, here's one way:

    • Using another PC that is working, go into Internet Explorer, Tools, Options, Content tab, Certificates button.
    • Go to the Trusted Root Certification Authorities tab
    • Find the GTE certificate in the list.  Click to highlight it.
    • Click Export, Next, proceed through accepting the defaults.  Give the certificate a name, such as "GTE".
    • Export the certificate to your Desktop or some other handy place.
    • When done the export, copy the certificate you just exported to the computer with the 80072f8f error.  You can do this via a network, USB drive, etc.

    On the malfunctioning PC:

    • Go into Internet Explorer, Tools, Options, Content tab, Certificates button.
    • Go to the Trusted Root Certification Authorities tab
    • Click Import
    • Click Next, then browse to the location of the certificate you saved.
    • Select the certificate, proceed through the import, accepting the defaults.
    • If you get a pop up box asking if you want to import the cert into the Trusted Root Authority, say Yes.

    When done, retry Windows Update.

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  2. Anonymous
    2009-12-30T15:45:31+00:00

    Paul,

      Thanks for the information.  Hopefully this will be useful to others that may encounter this issue.

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  3. Anonymous
    2011-02-10T15:30:25+00:00

    guitarfish,

    Thanks for the excellent instructions. This solution should be firts in the knowledge base.

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  4. Anonymous
    2010-08-03T08:44:27+00:00

    A sidenote - on some configurations (domain joined machines) it might not be possible to fix it by using only IE - sometimes the certificate gets imported in the user profile hive which is no good. So, an alternative way is to use:

    1. Start -> Run -> mmc.exe
    2. Under File -> Add/Remove Snap-in select Certificates then click Add button
    3. In the wizard select Computer account, Next, Local computer, Finish
    4. OK
    5. Then under Certificates (Local Computer) - Trusted Root Certification Auhtorities - Certificates check if the GTE certificate is there
    6. If not, right click the Trusted Root Certification Auhtorities key then select All Tasks - Import
    7. Import the extracted certificate

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