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
    2012-07-02T20:50:29+00:00

    OK, but I can't get past step 4.

    After carefully typing  net stop WuAuServ and entering, my system tells me this is invalid.  So I can go no further.

    Any thoughts?

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-07-02T17:46:36+00:00

    This was excellent resolution.  Apparently there errors in the Windows 8 consumer setups.  Amateurs are trying new stuff and messing people systems up. The only change for a Windows 8 user is search for "Software Distribution" in the file folder under computer.  Otherwise, the error has been fixed.

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  4. Anonymous
    2012-06-28T13:28:15+00:00

    @Marazan, This post is very, very useful, it resolved my issue quite nicely, step-by-step instructions are what did the trick.  I have been reading knowledge base articles until I am cross-eyed! 

    I have to wonder how many folks packed up their machines and took them to a pc repair service station because MS fixes are so "out there" for most of us.  And because this issue was caused by MS putting out corrupted/corrupting update code, they couldn't even push the fix out to us in an update!

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