64bit windows 7 can't run windows update

Question

64bit windows 7 can't run windows update

jrbellsr 0

advised to download and run kb3138612 from microsoft update catalog, restarted

then download kb4474419 and restart, done

check for updates again, done

still getting error 80072EFE

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2 answers

Your answer

Answer 1

Hi, jrbellsr

Thanks for confirming what you’ve already tried. Those updates don’t rule out a problem with the local update files, so resetting the update cache is another option worth trying.

Here are some suggestions you can try:

Open Start, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt, and choose Run as administrator. Run these commands one at a time:

net stop wuauserv

net stop bits

ren %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore DataStore.bak

ren %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution\Download Download.bak

net start bits

net start wuauserv

This resets the stored update database and downloads. If a command shows an error, stop and share the exact message rather than continuing.

If that doesn’t help, try the System Update Readiness Tool for Windows 7 x64 (KB947821). It checks for inconsistencies that can prevent updates from installing and is specifically designed for Windows 7. This is a repair option, not a guaranteed fix for 80072EFE.

Keep in mind that Windows 7 is no longer supported, so repairing updates won’t restore ongoing security protection.

Answer 2

For error 0x80072EFE, the supported causes in the available guidance are a connection problem to Windows Update, proxy/network issues, BITS transfer failures, or TLS/cipher suite configuration problems.

Try this in order:

Restart the PC again Pending update actions can block new update attempts.
Run the Windows repair command Open an elevated Command Prompt and run:
```
   Dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
```
Then restart the PC.
Check Windows Update again Go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for updates.
Verify the download path is not being blocked by network or proxy The documented mitigation for 0x80072EFE says BITS may be unable to transfer the file successfully. At a command prompt, run:
```
   BITSADMIN /LIST /ALLUSERS /VERBOSE
```
Search the output for 0x80072EFE and the related HTTP code/file. Then try downloading that file manually in a browser, using the same proxy settings used in the environment. If that fails, the issue is with network/proxy access to the update URL.
If other network checks already look normal, review cipher suite configuration This applies to systems where cipher suites are explicitly configured in the registry. Check this registry key:
```
   HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Cryptography\Configuration\SSL\00010002
```
Ensure at least one of these cipher suites is present:
- TLS_ECDHE_ECDSA_WITH_AES_256_GCM_SHA384
- TLS_ECDHE_ECDSA_WITH_AES_256_GCM_SHA256
If those cipher suites exist but the error continues, adjust their order Warning: editing the registry is risky and incorrect changes can affect secure connections system-wide.
- Press Windows key + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
- Go to:
```
     HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Cryptography\Configuration\SSL\00010002
```
- Move the required cipher suites higher in the list, or to the top.
- Restart the PC.
- Try Windows Update again.
If Windows Update still fails, install the update manually from Microsoft Update Catalog
- Open Microsoft Update Catalog.
- Search for the specific update number.
- Download the package that matches the operating system.
- Run the package manually.

References: