"Security Essentials" updates automatically, "Windows Update" does not?

Anonymous
2011-03-14T18:58:28+00:00

Hi:

I bought a new Dell last month pre-installed with Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit).

I immediately downloaded Microsoft Security Essentials (after removing via Control Panel a trial version of McAfee, I believe it was, which I never enabled/activated) to use as my Security Suite.

According to my "View Update History", Microsoft Security Essentials updates automatically every day.

"Windows Update" itself, however, does not.

This is despite the original default settings being in place, i.e., "install updates automatically" is checked.

When I finally noticed this and attempted to manually check for updates, I kept getting the dreaded "server is busy" error code.  This lasted several hours.  When I was finally able to connect, I received a long list of updates to download/install.  However, when I tried to do so, several "Failed" (according to "View Update History"), including some marked "Important".  Further, when I manually check for updates again, these "Failed" updates don't reappear, so I don't know how to get them.

More importantly, I don't understand why "Microsoft Security Essentials" updates automatically and daily and without problem, while "Windows Updates", though set to update automatically, does not?

True, my computer is turned off at 3:00AM (the default update time), but my understanding is that the update should then occur (delayed) the next time the computer is turned on.

I've read several of the questions/answers here, and have tried most of what was suggested - for example:

  • My internet connection is obviously working fine.
  • I have no "Proxy Server".
  • I ran "TDSSKiller" and there was no threat found.
  • I also run the Microsoft "Fix Tool", which shows that something was fixed, but it has no effect.  And every time I run it, it apparently "fixes" the same thing.  To no effect.

I ran Windows Update again manually before posting here, and it seems to have worked okay, but why does it not work automatically?

Thanks,

Five

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Windows update

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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Anonymous
2012-02-07T00:25:30+00:00

If all were well with your computer: 

  1. You should not be getting 80072EE2 errors [1] when running a manual check for updates assuming your User Account has the requisite Permissions.
  2. You should not be seeing any "Managed by your system administrator" if your User Account has the requisite Permissions. [2]
  3. KB2572077 should be installed IMHO, especially if Win7 SP1 is installed. [3]

I appreciate your help...but let's not (both) let this become a full-time career!

Computer security is my full-time career! <wink> [although I'm a volunteer here]

===============================================================

[1] See http://support.microsoft.com/kb/836941 

[2] Start | Control Panel | Windows Update | Change settings (left-hand menu) | Allow all users to install updates on this computer <=check/enable this option | OK your way out & Reboot | Make sure the option is still checked/enabled.

[3] For home users, no-charge support for security updates (only!) is available by calling 1-800-MICROSOFT (1-800-642-7676) in the US or 877-568-2495 in Canada. For more information about how to contact your local Microsoft subsidiary [i.e., in other regions] for support issues relating to security updates, visit the following Microsoft International Support website: http://support.microsoft.com/common/international.aspx?rdpath=4

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  1. Anonymous
    2013-05-17T00:55:13+00:00

    WARNING!!!! ALL WINDOWS 7 USERS ALL VERSIONS!!! WINDOWS UPDATE DESTROYS YOUR WINDOWS 7 !!!(EVEN GENUINE VERSIONS) This is not a hoax it has happened to me on this tower unit now too. I have even after a system restore. (to a date in January in this case). It seems Microsoft don't want any Windows 7 user to continue using it's stable operating system and "upgrade" to that utter **** Windows 8. The Updates that cause the systematic breakdown of Windows 7 relate to CRITICAL security updates for the .Net part of the OS. After the update vital services start to turn off. Usually Windows update and Windows defender to begin with. If you use a Wireless LAN or WiFi connection to access the internet then this also will go into oblivion. This is a clear breach of the US Supreme Court's ruling which stated that any further breaches of its ruling will result in Microsoft as a company being seized by the state and broken up and sold to its competitors. I thought when this happened with my laptop that it was down to what Microsoft was saying that dodgy installation of Intel's Rapid Storage driver. THIS I NOW KNOW WAS A BLATANT LIE!!!. IT CAN CAUSE SOME SYSTEMS TO COME OUT WITH THE "Windows not Genuine" error. and using an earlier version of the driver corrects that. But this is looking now like a blatant bit of gerrymandering by Microsoft to get everybody to buy the latest version of their Operating System. DO NOT ACCEPT ANY EXCUSE BY MICROSOFT DEMAND THEY FIX YOUR COMPUTER OR YOU WILL SUE THEM AND REPORT THEM TO THE US SUPREME COURT. Restoring to an earlier point in your systems history will not correct the problem I am now going to have to re-install FROM SCRATCH both my OEM Windows 7 on my Laptop and My GENUINE Windows 7 Home Premium on my Tower system. I will lose a heck of a lot of programs many of which I no longer have the install files for so will have to repurchase them. I'm going to make Microsoft PAY for those third party softwares. And I will have to be selective about what Updates I install. Copy and repost this on ALL Microsoft forums and on Facebook or share this post please and DO NOT DO ANY UPDATES until Microsoft explain themselves. Talk about a bunch of shysters...Sheesh!

    This is my status post for 17/05/13 at 01-50 GMT. I now have 2 systems in dire straights thanks to Microshaft! And I BETA tested Windows 8 and know how utterly **** it is for an Ordinary Laptop and/or a Desktop/Tower system. I wasn't the only Beta Tester to find this. And I HAVE tried the subsequent full release... And guess what? Its WORSE!! I AM considering legal action against Microsoft for doing this dirty trick on LOYAL users of a STABEL and perfectly acceptable Operating System namely Windows 7.

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-05-17T00:11:32+00:00

    If you have MSE and WD, WD MUST be disabled as it is during the MSE installation process.

    What Error codes?

    The problem is most likely with your Windows Update processing since MSE uses the same function.

    Please check this out and see if it helps.

    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/822798

    Quick questions:

    1.         What exactly happens when you try to download using Google Chrome?

    2.         Do you get any error messages?

    3.         Why do you think that Microsoft Security Essentials might be blocking the downloads?

    4.     Did you make any changes on the computer prior to the issue?

    5.     Are you able to download from other browsers?

    To get any assistance with Microsoft Security Essentials,  I would suggest you to post a query in the Microsoft Security Essentials forum site:

    http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/protect/forum/mse

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-04-07T20:56:39+00:00

    MS was paid for the os with my money.  MS gets paid for every copy of it by the PC maker, who builds the cost into the price just as if it was a processor or similar.  If the CPU gives erroneous results does the blame go the the PC maker or the CPU maker?

    I just expect something more clear than:  3 places to click to do the exact same function, 2 of which get 1 result, one gets an entirely different result, and zero explanation of anything about this (exactly why are there 3 places to click anyway?)  And the fact is someone changed a setting to be like it would be in an enterprise environment, and very different than a home environment.  Someone that really knows this stuff can, given an hour or so, eventually figure it out with the help of various 3rd party help sites.  And they have seen this before they said, had been a while.  She finally worked thru some posts, and found the issue, and asked, did you ever use this on a continual basic at your work office, on their network?  Cause it thinks it should be on a corporate network.  Once you get to this and see it and have a basic understanding, it's obvious.  So, the software and the help text of the error message should give a clue, is all I am saying,  Not to mention their fixit thing ran, said it finds problems, fixed them, and all should be well.  And it fixed nothing.   I do not find anything about it acceptable.  I am fairly convinced that MS could have issued something much more helpful, if only they cared enough to actually want to be helpful.

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  4. Anonymous
    2013-04-07T19:51:54+00:00

    They write the os...

    <Devil's Advocate> Yes, but you didn't purchase the OS or the computer from Microsoft, did you?

    Similarly (and recalls notwithstanding), is Ford Motor Company responsible for a "refurbished" 2012 Explorer you bought from a used car dealer (even if it was a Ford dealer) who'd rolled back the odometer?

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