Microsoft Security Essentials Updates but gives 0x80072f8f message

JohnDrew · Jul 20, 2023

Good morning,

Recently when updating MSE in W7 Pro (I can't afford an update) the program updates to near the end and the a window appears advising that the site could not be reached and gives the failure code of 0x80072f8f. When this notification is cancelled the update loads correctly. A check in the updates shows MSE has updated as does the information in MSE. However the automatic update function no longer appears present.

I have discovered that if I update MSE using the Windows update panel (Control Panel/All Control Panel Items/Windows Update) the process works without any error report.

I used System Restore to before the problem became apparent to no avail.

I have tried the advice give by Microsoft at Troubleshooting update issues for Microsoft Security Essentials - Microsoft Support to no avail but have found that when I attempt the final solution at Step 5 an unput of the given term "Cd program files\microsoft security essentials" produces the result that the path cannot be found.

I have run Malwarebytes, ESET online scanner and Housecall and found 5 x PUPs but nothing else.

Please can anyone provide a solution to the problem?

xrobwx71 · Jul 20, 2023

Redirecting

JohnDrew · Jul 20, 2023

Thanks for your reply.

I use Acronis True Image and have a backup but it was done on the 10 July and may postdate the problem.

plodr · Jul 20, 2023

Recently when updating MSE in W7 Pro

Do you update yourself?
We currently have 4 computers running Windows 7. We don't manually update MS Security Essentials on any of them. I let the program update itself in the background.
Here's a screenshot of the computer I'm working on. Note what I've drawn a box around to stress that the program updates automatically.

JohnDrew · Jul 20, 2023

Yes I update manually normally but have noticed (now you mention it) that some updates that would have been automatic have been missed. I can only presume that the automatic update function is being impaired as well. I shall leave updates for a while and see if any more are missed to make sure of whether this is accurate or not.

Thanks for raoising it.

JohnDrew · Jul 21, 2023

Hello plodr,

I have left MSE updates alone for somw 24 hours and have just checked again to see of the automatic update worked; there has been no update to MSE since I manually downloded yesterday. Obviously whatever has happened that causes the situation I have reported in my first post has also affected this as well. I shall update manually until. with luck, some kind person can provide a solution.

plodr · Jul 21, 2023

some updates that would have been automatic have been missed.

I have to ask, how did you determine this?

Obviously this page is not helpful
Troubleshooting update issues for Microsoft Security Essentials - Microsoft Support
because it mentions Internet Explorer and that has been retired.

Internet Explorer was retired on June 15, 2022

Item 04 here Internet Explorer - Microsoft Download Center

I just tried IE and it loads so perhaps when you check for updates, IE 11 is corrupt as the article mentions.

The current update is dated July 20th.(I checked and it is what I show) What is the date you have?

You can try downloading with a link here Download Microsoft Security Essentials Definition Updates - MajorGeeks

JohnDrew · Jul 21, 2023

I have just found the information below which is exactly what I am suffering. Perhaps this is Microsoft generated??

https://www.sevenforums.com/system-security/428578-mse-totally-down-end-support-windows-7-a.html

plodr · Jul 21, 2023

Interesting thread. I never update MS SE; I let it update itself. Since I have Malwarebytes working all the time, it doesn't concern me if MSSE is a day or 2 out of date.

JohnDrew · Jul 21, 2023

Hello plodr,

Simply by looking at the Update History in Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Windows Update\View update history will show what has been installed and when a manual update is carried out the difference between the versions gives a good indication.

plodr · Jul 21, 2023

Thanks. I haven't looked in Windows update for several years - ever since Win 7 support ended. And since I let MSSE update itself, I rarely look at that either.

I just opened it and apparently the last time I looked was May 2019. I see that an MSSE update failed on July 16th. I also scrolled through and saw that not every date is showing so it apparently doesn't update exactly every day, at least not on this computer.

JohnDrew · Jul 22, 2023

Looks as if the problem affects you as well!!

plodr · Jul 22, 2023

No, I don't have a problem. When I checked it was too early for the db to update. My db is up to date and I get no errors.

JohnDrew · Jul 22, 2023

Have you tried a manual update using MSE or did MSE automatically update as it should?

plodr · Jul 23, 2023

It updated as it should with no intervention from me.
I just checked this morning and the July 22nd definitions were created after 9am and my computer updated on its own after 4pm.

Maxstar · Jul 23, 2023

I have Windows 7 (x64) only in use as a virtual machine, and Microsoft updated the definition database to 1.393.1190.0 today.

Could you please check the latest Windows Update Client (KB3138612) is installed?

With the following command (in an elevated prompt) you can check if this update is intalled or not.

Code:

wmic qfe | find "KB3138612"

Then you will see the following when this update is installed....

Rich (BB code):

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=3138612     WIN7    Update
     KB3138612               WIN7\Administrator   11/15/2018

When this update is not installed please try to install it using DISM.

Follow these instructions to install an update with DISM.

Open the Start menu of Windows and type CMD.
When you see Command Prompt on the list, select the option Run as administrator.
Copy and paste the following command into it, and press enter. (Leave the CMD window open!)

Code:

MD C:\WUTemp

Now, download the following update (KB3138612) [32 or 64 bit] to: C:\WUTemp - Or copy this file from the download directory to C:\WUTemp. (Important!)
Downloadlink: x86 (32 bit) KB3138612
Downloadlink: x64 (64 bit) KB3138612

Copy and paste the following commands one at a time into the command prompt and press enter after each.

x86 - 32 BITS instructions

Code:

CD C:\WUTemp
EXPAND.exe Windows6.1-KB3138612-x86.msu -f:* C:\WUTemp
DISM.exe /Online /Add-Package /PackagePath:C:\WUtemp\Windows6.1-KB3138612-x86.cab

x64 - 64 BITS instructions

Code:

CD C:\WUTemp
EXPAND.exe Windows6.1-KB3138612-x64.msu -f:* C:\WUTemp
DISM.exe /Online /Add-Package /PackagePath:C:\WUtemp\Windows6.1-KB3138612-x64.cab

Let me know if it says it was successful or if there are any errors. Or take a screenshot of the command prompt window and paste it into your next reply.

JohnDrew · Jul 24, 2023

With my very low ability in computers I tried to use the command prompt to search for the update but failed. So I downloaded it from your link and attempted an install and it then told me it was already installed. No further progress with this problem I'm sorry to say. Thanks for trying.

Maxstar · Jul 24, 2023

JohnDrew said:
I tried to use the command prompt to search for the update but failed.

What was the result after running the command below?

Code:

wmic qfe | find "KB3138612"

JohnDrew · Jul 24, 2023

On my last attempt to use you command I succeeded in getting it to tell me it was installed on 3/2/2016. I would send a screen shot if I knew how.

Maxstar · Jul 24, 2023

Please run the System File Checker.

Click the Start button and in the search box, type Command Prompt
When you see Command Prompt on the list, right-click on it and select Run as administrator.
When command prompt opens, copy and paste the following command into it, and press enter.
Code:
```
sfc /scannow
```
Take a screenshot of the commandprompt window and paste it into your next reply.

Microsoft Security Essentials Updates but gives 0x80072f8f message

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