[SOLVED] Windows Update Error 0x80073712

Udo · Jan 27, 2017

All started two weeks ago. Suddenly I couldn't start any office programs anymore. Visual Studio was affected as well, but no other apps. The event viewer had a kernel error entry telling that the registry "\SystemRoot\System32\Config\SOFTWARE" was damaged and had been restored. So I re-installed office and vs. All working again, so far so good.

Obviously I got lots of updates after re-installing office and vs. All installed successfully except for two important windows 7 updates:
KB3212646 (11Jan17) & KB3172605 (13Sep16)
Both fail with error code 0x80073712.

Since then windows 7 tries to install these updates with every reboot and fails with the same error again and again. I manually installed SURT and run your SFCFix tool. Both ran successfully and corrected some errors, but there are still more than 200 errors unfixed (SFCFix.txt attached). Needless to say that the installation of the two KB above still fails.

Link to components hive:
https://1drv.ms/u/s!AijobMMY-ZL6b3W0kJX4bvwFbf8
Link to CBS:
https://1drv.ms/u/s!AijobMMY-ZL6cBG3M29mf2cmTTs

I am not keen to re-install and setup Windows with all the apps on it, possibly causing other problems, so I hope you can help.

BrianDrab · Jan 29, 2017

I am not keen to re-install and setup Windows with all the apps on it, possibly causing other problems, so I hope you can help.

No need to re-install. Have you thought about repairing your OS with a repair install? If you still have your Windows 7 media I can walk you through this. None of your programs or data will be effected. It should only repair the issues you have in your OS.

Udo · Jan 30, 2017

It's a Dell laptop and I do have the reinstallation DVD for Win 7 Pro. I thought about a repair install but I am hesitating to do it without knowing what the actual problem is. I need this laptop for my work and all the applications I need are ok. It's just this unsafe feeling of not being able to install important updates anymore. If there is no other solution I will give it a try.

Still hope someone can tell me what went wrong with my machine.

BrianDrab · Jan 30, 2017

Unfortunately I don't know why the following happened but it is key to why your machine is in the state it is.

The event viewer had a kernel error entry telling that the registry "\SystemRoot\System32\Config\SOFTWARE" was damaged and had been restored. So I re-installed office and vs. All working again, so far so good.

The SOFTWARE and COMPONENTS hive need to be in sync. They both hold information regarding updates. If only one gets restored without the other then your machine may be in the state as you see it now. It's likely fixable with a lot of effort but will likely be resolved much quicker with a repair install. If you would like to try the repair install, please ensure your critical data is backed up (nothing should happen but always a good idea just in case) and then you can attempt the repair using info from the following link.
Repair Install - Windows 7 Help Forums

If you would prefer to surgically repair this just understand that it will take some time to collect all the necessary info but I'm willing to do this if you wish. Just let me know.

Udo · Jan 30, 2017

Thank you Brian for your quick response. I have read through the info from the link above. Looks like I would have to download the media as my reinstallation source has no SP1 on it. However I am curious to learn what would be necessary to do a surgical repair and if it is possible at all. I have understood that this would be a time consuming task and I don't want to be a pain in the ***.

So I leave this up to you if you are willing to dig into it and help me further.

BrianDrab · Jan 30, 2017

I'm willing to do it. Just trying to meet expectations. It's not something I can turn around in a couple days. More like a week or two.

Also, as an FYI, worst case scenario is you can uninstall SP1 from your machine, do the repair and then re-install SP1 and all updates.

Udo · Jan 30, 2017

Thank you very much. Take your time. I am glad that you are helping me.

BrianDrab · Jan 30, 2017

OK, please start with the following.

Step#1 - System Update Readiness Tool (SUR)
1. Download and run the following file.
2. When it asks you if you wish to install, please answer yes. Note: It could take 15 minutes or more to run. Please don't cancel.
3. You will get an Installation Complete screen when it's done running.
4. Please attach the log from the following location. C:\Windows\Logs\CBS\CheckSUR.log
Please Note:: if the file is too big to upload to your next post please upload via a service such as Dropbox or One Drive or SendSpace and just provide the link.

Udo · Jan 31, 2017

I have already performed Step#1 right before starting this thread. Please have a look at my first post and download the file CBS.zip from OneDrive. You'll find the requested file inside. Right after SURT I have run your SFCFix tool (obviously without script). That log is attached to the first post as well.

BrianDrab · Jan 31, 2017

My appologies. It's indeed there. I'll start on a fix for you.

BrianDrab · Feb 7, 2017

I need two more pieces of info.

Step#1 - Export CBS Registry Key

Click on the Start

button and in the search box, type regedit
When you see regedit on the list, right-click on it and select Run as administrator
When regedit opens, using the left pane, navigate to the following registry key and select it by clicking on it once.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Component Based Servicing
Once selected, click File > Export....
Change the Save as type: to Registry Hive Files (*.*)
Name this file CBS (with no file extension) and save it to your Desktop.

Once done please upload this file via Dropbox or One Drive or SendSpace.

Step#2 - Export SideBySide

Click on the Start button and in the search box, type regedit
When you see regedit on the list, right-click on it and select Run as administrator
When regedit opens, using the left pane, navigate to the following registry key and select it by clicking on it once.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\SideBySide
Once selected, click File > Export....
Change the Save as type: to Registry Hive Files (*.*)
Name this file SxS (with no file extension) and save it to your Desktop.

Once done please upload this file via Dropbox or One Drive or SendSpace.

Udo · Feb 8, 2017

Alright here it is.

Step#1 - Export CBS Registry Key
https://1drv.ms/u/s!AijobMMY-ZL6ciE2vTaZQH9N4KU

Step#2 - Export SideBySide
https://1drv.ms/u/s!AijobMMY-ZL6ca858BipnnI8pyk

BrianDrab · Feb 9, 2017

Thank you. Please do the following and let me know the result.

Remove Update Manually
1. Click on the Start

button and in the search box, type Command Prompt
2. When you see Command Prompt on the list, right-click on it and select Run as administrator
3. When command prompt opens, copy and paste the following command into it, press enter
wusa /uninstall /KB:2990214

4. Let me know if it says it was successful or if there are any errors.

Udo · Feb 10, 2017

It was not successful. A message box popped up telling "The Update KB2990214 is not installed on this computer" (translated from German).

BrianDrab · Feb 10, 2017

Please do the following.

Step#1 - SFCFix Script
Warning: this fix is specific to the user in this thread. No one else should follow these instructions as it may cause more harm than good. If you are after assistance, please start a thread of your own.

Download SFCFix.exe (by niemiro) and save this to your Desktop. If you still have this on your desktop from downloading previously, you don't need to re-download.
Download the file below, SFCScript.txt, and save this to your Desktop.
Save any open documents and close all open windows.
On your Desktop, you should see two files: SFCFix.exe and SFCScript.txt.
Drag the file SFCScript.txt onto the file SFCFix.exe and release it.
SFCFix will now process the script.
Upon completion, a file should be created on your Desktop: SFCFix.txt.
Copy (Ctrl+C) and Paste (Ctrl+V) the contents of this file into your next post for me to analyse please

Udo · Feb 14, 2017

Find attached the result of the SFCFix script.

BrianDrab · Feb 14, 2017

Please do the following again.

Step#1 - System Update Readiness Tool (SUR)
1. Download and run the following file.
2. When it asks you if you wish to install, please answer yes. Note: It could take 15 minutes or more to run. Please don't cancel.
3. You will get an Installation Complete screen when it's done running.
4. Please attach the log from the following location. C:\Windows\Logs\CBS\CheckSUR.log
Please Note:: if the file is too big to upload to your next post please upload via a service such as Dropbox or One Drive or SendSpace and just provide the link.

Udo · Feb 14, 2017

Find attached the result of the SUR tool.

BrianDrab · Feb 14, 2017

Good. Log is now cut in about half. Let's continue.

Remove Update Manually
1. Click on the Start

button and in the search box, type Command Prompt
2. When you see Command Prompt on the list, right-click on it and select Run as administrator
3. When command prompt opens, copy and paste the following command into it, press enter
wusa /uninstall /KB:3140410

4. Let me know if it says it was successful or if there are any errors.

Udo · Feb 14, 2017

Unfortunately it was not successful. An error message popped up (see attachment) telling

# The installation program has discovered an error: 0x80073712
# The component repository was damaged.

[SOLVED] Windows Update Error 0x80073712

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