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

Anonymous

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

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Answer accepted by question author

Anonymous

If all were well with your computer:

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

[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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49 additional answers

Anonymous

2012-02-04T19:51:13+00:00
It's a year later, and I'm still updating manually.
1. You're still installing Windows Updates manually, you're still updating Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) Definitions updates manually, or both?
2. What MSE version & Engine version is currently installed?
3. Is Windows 7 Service Pack 1 installed? See...
• Which version of the Windows operating system am I running?

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/help/which-version-of-the-windows-operating-system-am-i-running
1. Are ALL of the following updates listed in View installed updates (not Update History)? [1]
    • KB2631813, KB2644615, KB2584146, KB2585542; KB2618444, KB2639417, KB2620712 & KB2556532

    • KB2656355 or KB2656356 [<=TELL ME WHICH ONE]

    • KB2572076 or KB2572077 [<=TELL ME WHICH ONE]

    • KB2544521 or Windows Internet Explorer 9 [<=TELL ME WHICH ONE]

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

[1] Start | Control Panel | Programs and Features | View installed updates (in left-hand menu)
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Anonymous

2012-02-04T17:10:05+00:00

Lucky you.

As I stated in a previous post:

"@Desert Wanderer:

Thanks for the reply...

...but "Group Policy Editor" is NOT available in the "Home Premium" edition of "Windows 7", which is what came preinstalled on my new Dell ("Group Policy Editor" only comes with the Professional, Ultimate, and Enterprise editions of Windows 7).

It's a pity, because it sounds like it would be an easy solution.

Thanks anyway,

Five"

It's a year later, and I'm still updating manually.

That said, I'm glad this thread was able to help somebody!

Five
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Anonymous

2012-02-03T16:39:34+00:00

This is the solution that worked for me. I had the "You receive updates managed by your system administrator" message in Windows Update.

When I opened the Group Policy Editor as described above, all the settings were "Not Configured." I made the changes listed in this post, plus a couple of others. When I rebooted and went to Windows Update, it now automatically updates using the Microsoft Updates server.

Voila! You solved the problem. No malware, no system reinstall, just a simple tweak of the GPE!

Thank you!
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Anonymous

2011-04-13T22:25:09+00:00

I found a fix for this. Use regedit and remove the key

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate

That would NOT be a very wise thing for our OP to do.
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