Problem checking for updates - Code 80240442 - Windows Update ran into a problem

Anonymous
2014-04-08T19:18:08+00:00

Just updated to 8.1 update 1 manually hoping that it would clear an issue I'm having with Windows update, but to no avail.  (Oh - and the error message before the Win8.1 Update 1 was 80244FFF.  I think it's the same issue, just a new number.)

I've not been able to connect to Windows Update for over a month, and nothing I've tried has managed to reset it. 

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Windows update

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Anonymous
2014-08-13T22:37:43+00:00

bizarre, my update is working after months of failure. i am not joking. BUT only automatically. if i try to check for updates manually i receive the same error code and no updates

AND i believe i have the solution for all of these problems...

i needed to restart my modem. as soon as it had restarted, automatic updates worked. i think all who are suffering from this problem should at least give this a try. just unplug your modem, wait 30 seconds then re-plug in your modem or push the restart button. it is worth a try. 

paz from mexico

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-07-03T10:56:25+00:00

    I just uninstalled my 3rd party antivirus program (Symantec Endpoint Protection 12.1.3001.165), and before anyone goes screaming:

    "However, antivirus software can help protect your computer against viruses and other security threats. In most cases, you shouldn't disable your antivirus software. If you have to temporarily disable it to install other software, you should re-enable it as soon as you're done. If you're connected to the Internet or a network while your antivirus software is disabled, your computer is vulnerable to attacks"...

    Please note: I switched over to the Windows Defender and Windows Firewall. My computer is protected, I hope.

    I then ran Windows Update and voilà... it works.

    The next step is to re-install my 3rd party antivirus (Symantec Endpoint Protection 12.1.3001.165) to see if Windows update still works or breaks.

    Another point to note: I know of 4 other Windows 8.1 PCs with the same configuration, ie the same antivirus software and mostly the same software that don't have this Windows Update issue.

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-07-03T05:57:22+00:00

    Hello Wilson,

    Thank you for your reply.

    I would suggest you to contact a local tech shop for further assistance.

    Thank you

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-07-03T05:55:33+00:00

    Hello Paz,

    Thank you for your response.

    As you mentioned in the earlier posts that even reinstalling operating system did not resolve the issue, I would suggest you to contact the manufacturer of the computer as it may be a hardware issue.

    Thank you

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-07-02T23:48:56+00:00

    see below...

    Microsoft Windows [Version 6.3.9600]

    (c) 2013 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

    C:\WINDOWS\system32>takeown /f C:\Windows\winsxs\pending.xml

    ERROR: The system cannot find the file specified.

    what now.....

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