Can't install Windows updates-- error code 80248015

Anonymous
2012-05-21T14:15:05+00:00

error code 80248015 can't install updates.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Windows update

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Anonymous
2012-05-21T15:17:32+00:00

Verify that the time, date/year & time-zone are set correctly

<<Set the clock>>

Always remember to set a System Restore point before doing any work on your computer.

Rename the Windows Update Softwaredistribution folder

That is what I got when searched around for error 0x80248015

This problem may occur if the Windows Update, Software distribution folder has been corrupted.

 We can refer to the following steps to rename this folder.

Please note that the folder will be re-created the next time we visit the Windows Update site.

  1. Close all the open windows.
  2. Click the "Start" Button, click "All programs", and click "Accessories".
  3. Right-click "Command Prompt" and click "Run as administrator".
  4. In "Administrator: Command Prompt" window, type in " net stop WuAuServ" (without the quotes) and press Enter.

Note: Please look at the cmd window and make sure it says that it was successfully stopped before we try to rename the folder.

  1. Click the "Start" Button, in the "Start Search" box, type in " %windir%" (without the quotes) and press Enter.
  2. In the opened folder, look for the folder named "SoftwareDistribution".
  3. Right-click on the folder, select "Rename" and type " Sdold " (without the quotes) to rename this folder.
  4. Still in "Administrator: Command Prompt" window, type the command " net start WuAuServ" (without the quotes) in the opened window to restart the Windows Updates service.

Note: Please look at the cmd window and make sure it says that it was successfully started.

Note: If the issue is resolved and you can successfully download and install updates, you can safely delete the SoftwareDistribution.old directory to recover disk space.

The windows update team and other users who regularly read the forum can either share their knowledge or learn from your interaction with us.

UTC/GMT is 15:15 on Monday, May 21, 2012

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  1. Anonymous
    2017-12-04T22:22:07+00:00

    Original post worked perfectly for me as well.

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-12-04T21:39:17+00:00

    Nope. I was wrong. 

    Looks like it knows what's been installed and skipped over it.

    Thanks!

    Wonder why the SoftwareDistribution got corrupted?

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-12-04T21:27:37+00:00

    I have this problem, and the Win 7 HE system appears to be working towards resolving this.

    However, if I understand the solution properly, it is shocking, because what the system is attempting to do is download and presumably reinstall ALL updates ever issues for Win 7 HE. This is likely to take an interminably long time, especially if multiple reboots are required between sets of updates.

    Perhaps I misunderstand and perhaps Windows will realize updates have already been installed and skip them.  However, I thought, but do not really know, the way Windows checked that an update was installed or not was if it already was in SoftwareDistribution.

    Can someone clarify?

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  4. Anonymous
    2017-12-04T21:02:59+00:00

    Solution worked, but two problems ensued:

    1.  Entire Windows History has disappeared.  Not a big problem.

    2.  Microsoft Update checkbox on the Windows Update Change Settings dialog has disappeared and Microsoft Updates is off.  How do we turn it back on?

    Thanks.

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