Windows 7 Update Error 80072f8f
| Error Number: | Error 80072F8F |
| Error Name: | Windows 7 Error 80072F8F |
| Error Description: | Error 80072F8F: Windows 7 has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience. |
| Developer: | Microsoft Corporation |
| Software: | Windows 7 |
| Applies to: | Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8 |
- Windows 7 Update Error 80072f8f Download
- Windows 7 Update Error Code 80072f8f
- How To Fix Error 80072f8f
- Windows 7 Error 80072f8f
- Windows Update Error 80072f8f Fix
Compatible with Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, XP and 2000
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Tip: Although Disk Cleanup is a wonderful built-in tool, it will not completely clean up all of the temporary files on your computer. Other programs that you frequently use such Microsoft Office, Firefox, Chrome, Live Messenger, and hundreds of other programs are not cleaned up with Disk Cleanup (including some Microsoft Corporation programs).
Symptoms of Error 80072F8F
In this guide you can find detailed instructions on how to solve the Windows Update 80072f8f problem on a Windows computer or a Windows Phone. Windows update error: Code 80072F8F. Windows Vista IT Pro. I was having this issue with Windows 7 and it turned out to be the root certs.
- 'Error 80072F8F' appears and crashes the active program window.
- Your PC frequently crashes with Error 80072F8F when running the same program.
- “Windows 7 Error 80072F8F” is displayed.
- Windows runs sluggishly and responds slowly to mouse or keyboard input.
- Your computer periodically “freezes” for a few seconds at a time.
These 80072F8F error messages can appear during program installation, while a Microsoft Corporation-related software program (eg. Windows 7) is running, during Windows startup or shutdown, or even during the installation of the Windows operating system. Keeping track of when and where your 80072F8F error occurs is a critical piece of information in troubleshooting the problem.
Causes of Error 80072F8F
- Corrupt download or incomplete installation of Windows 7 software.
- Corruption in Windows registry from a recent Windows 7-related software change (install or uninstall).
- Virus or malware infection that has corrupted Windows system files or Windows 7-related program files.
- Another program maliciously or mistakenly deleted Windows 7-related files.
Runtime Errors such as “Error 80072F8F” can be caused by a variety of factors, so it is important that you troubleshoot each of the possible causes to prevent it from recurring.
Runtime Errors Knowledgebase
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Below is a list of troubleshooting steps to resolve your Error 80072F8F problems. These troubleshooting steps get progressively more difficult and time consuming, so we strongly recommend attempting them in ascending order to avoid unnecessary time and effort.
Please Note: Click the [ ] image to expand the troubleshooting instructions for each step below. You can also click the [ ] image to hide the instructions as you proceed through each step.
Windows 7 Update Error 80072f8f Download
Step 1: Repair Registry Entries Associated with Error 80072F8F |
Manually editing the Windows registry to remove invalid Error 80072F8F keys is not recommended unless you are PC service professional. Incorrectly editing your registry can stop your PC from functioning and create irreversible damage to your operating system. In fact, one misplaced comma can prevent your PC from booting entirely! Because of this risk, we highly recommend using a trusted registry cleaner such as WinThruster [download] (Developed by Microsoft Gold Certified Partner) to scan and repair any Error 80072F8F-related registry problems. Using a registry cleaner [download] automates the process of finding invalid registry entries, missing file references (like the one causing your 80072F8F error), and broken links within the registry. A backup is automatically created before each scan, with the ability to undo any changes in a single click, protecting you against the possibility of PC damage. The best part is that repairing registry errors [download] can also dramatically improve system speed and performance. Caution: Unless you an advanced PC user, we DO NOT recommend editing the Windows registry manually. Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall Windows. We do not guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk. To manually repair your Windows registry, first you need to create a backup by exporting a portion of the registry related to Error 80072F8F (eg. Windows 7):
The next steps in manually editing your registry will not be discussed in this article due to the high risk of damaging your system. If you would like to learn more about manual registry editing, please see the links below. We do not claim any responsibility for the results of the actions taken from the content linked below - complete these tasks at your own risk. Windows XP Windows 7 Windows Vista |
Step 2: Conduct a Full Malware Scan of Your PC |
There is a chance that your 80072F8F error could be related to a malware infection on your PC. These malicious intruders can damage, corrupt, or even delete Runtime Errors-related files. Furthermore, there's a possibility that the 80072F8F error you are experiencing is related to a component of the malicious program itself. Tip: If you do not already have a malware protection program installed, we highly recommend using Emsisoft Anti-Malware (download here). They offer a malware removal guarantee that is not offered by other security software. |
Step 3: Clean Out Your System Junk (Temporary Files and Folders) With Disk Cleanup (cleanmgr) |
Over time, your computer accumulates junk files from normal web surfing and computer use. If this junk isn't occasionally cleaned out, it can cause Windows 7 to respond slowly or provides an 80072F8F error, possibly due to file conflicts or an overloaded hard drive. Cleaning up these temporary files with Disk Cleanup might not only solve your 80072F8F error, but can also dramatically speed up the performance of your PC. Tip: Although Disk Cleanup is a wonderful built-in tool, it will not completely clean up all of the temporary files on your computer. Other programs that you frequently use such Microsoft Office, Firefox, Chrome, Live Messenger, and hundreds of other programs are not cleaned up with Disk Cleanup (including some Microsoft Corporation programs). Because of the shortcomings of the Windows Disk Cleanup (cleanmgr) tool, we highly recommend using a specialized hard drive cleanup / privacy protection software such as WinSweeper [download] (Developed by Microsoft Gold Partner) to clean up your entire computer. Running WinSweeper [download] once per day (using automatic scanning) will ensure that your computer is always clean, running fast, and free of 80072F8F errors related to temporary files. How to run Disk Cleanup (cleanmgr) (Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10):
|
Step 4: Update Your PC Device Drivers |
80072F8F errors can be related to corrupt or outdated device drivers. Drivers can work one day, and suddenly stop working the next day, for a variety of reasons. The good news is that you can often update the device driver to fix the Error 80072F8F problem. Finding the exact driver for your Error 80072F8F-related hardware device can be extremely difficult, even directly on the Microsoft Corporation or related manufacturer's website. Even if you are experienced at finding, downloading, and manually updating drivers, the process can still be very time consuming and extremely irritating. Installing the wrong driver, or simply an incompatible version of the right driver, can make your problems even worse. Because of the time and complexity involved in updating drivers, we highly recommend using a driver update tool such as DriverDoc (Developed by Microsoft Gold Partner) to automate the process. DriverDoc updates all of your PC device drivers, not just those associated with your 80072F8F error. DriverDoc's proprietary One-Click Update™ technology not only ensures that you have correct driver versions for your hardware, but it also creates a backup of your current drivers before making any changes. Maintaining a driver backup provides you with the security of knowing that you can rollback any driver to a previous version if necessary. With updated device drivers, you can finally unlock new hardware features and improve the speed and performance of your PC. Please Note: Your Error 80072F8F may not be related to hardware driver problems, but it's always a good idea to ensure all of your PC device drivers are up-to-date to maximize PC performance. |
Step 5: Utilize Windows System Restore to 'Undo' Recent System Changes |
Windows System Restore allows you to 'go back in time' with your PC to help fix your Error 80072F8F problems. System Restore can return your PC's system files and programs back to a time when everything was working fine. This can potentially help you avoid hours of troubleshooting headaches associated with 80072F8F errors. Please Note: Using System Restore will not affect your documents, pictures, or other data. To use System Restore (Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10):
|
Step 6: Uninstall and Reinstall the Windows 7 Program Associated with Error 80072F8F |
If your 80072F8F error is related to a specific program, reinstalling Windows 7-related software could be the answer. Instructions for Windows 7 and Windows Vista:
Instructions for Windows XP:
Instructions for Windows 8:
After you have successfully uninstalled your Error 80072F8F-associated program (eg. Windows 7), reinstall the program according to the Microsoft Corporation instructions. Tip: If you are positive that your 80072F8F error is related to a specific Microsoft Corporation program, uninstalling and reinstalling your Error 80072F8F-related program will likely be the solution to your problem. |
Step 7: Run Windows System File Checker ('sfc /scannow') |
System File Checker is a handy tool included with Windows that allows you scan for and restore corruptions in Windows system files (including those related to Error 80072F8F). To run System File Checker (Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10):
|
Step 8: Install All Available Windows Updates |
Microsoft is constantly updating and improving Windows system files that could be associated with Error 80072F8F. Sometimes resolving your Runtime Errors problems may be as simple as updating Windows with the latest Service Pack or other patch that Microsoft releases on an ongoing basis. To check for Windows Updates (Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10):
|
Step 9: Perform a Clean Installation of Windows |
Caution: We must emphasize that reinstalling Windows will be a very time-consuming and advanced task to resolve Error 80072F8F problems. To avoid data loss, you must be sure that you have backed-up all of your important documents, pictures, software installers, and other personal data before beginning the process. If you are not currently backing up your data, you need to do so immediately (download a highly-recommended backup solution) to protect yourself from permanent data loss. This step is your final option in trying to resolve your Error 80072F8F issue. Reinstalling Windows will erase everything from your hard drive, allowing you to start again with a fresh system. Furthermore, a clean install of Windows will also quickly clean out any and all 'junk' that has accumulated over the normal usage of your computer. Please Note: If 80072F8F errors still persist after a clean install of Windows, your Runtime Errors problem MUST be hardware related. If that is the case, then it is likely you will need to replace the associated hardware causing the 80072F8F error. |
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Operating System Information
80072F8F error messages can occur in any of the following Microsoft Windows operating systems:
- Windows 10
- Windows 8
- Windows 7
- Windows Vista
- Windows XP
- Windows ME
- Windows 2000
Are You Still Experiencing Error 80072F8F Issues?
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About The Author:Jay Geater is the President and CEO of Solvusoft Corporation, a global software company focused on providing innovative utility software. He is a lifelong computer geek and loves everything related to computers, software, and new technology.
Browse Errors in Alphabetical Order:
The general cause for Windows Update Error 80072f8f is the date and time settings being in error.
This could be due to a faulty CMOS battery or a bad RAM or buggy hardware.
The first fix to solve code 80072f8f in Windows 7 or 8.1, is to sync your time with an Internet server like time.windows.com.
Before that you should replace your failing CMOS battery.
The Windows Update problem and the solution to the code 80072ee2 error is already seen.
Today we shall see the troubleshooting steps and solution to a different kind of error – code 80072f8f.
Related : Update NVIDIA HD Audio Drivers for Windows 10 or 8.1 or 7
This occurs when we do Windows 8.1 or 8 or 7 or Vista or XP or Server 2012 R2 or Server 2008 R2 updates from Microsoft.
Why does Windows Update Error 80072f8f occur mainly?
So you have bought a new Dell or Samsung laptop. Otherwise, you bought Windows 7 Professional or Ultimate from a Best Buy store and you installed it on your brand new computer and you are ready to go.
Read : Top 5 Best SSD of 2018 – Based on Usage, Brand and Price
Well, for now, everything is fine. After sometime the Windows giant Microsoft decides to release update to your Windows 7 OS (current update is SP1) or XP (current update is SP3). Now you decide to update to the latest version and fail with an error code of 80072f8f.
What’s the reason?
The main reason is this : [Microsoft Article for Vista]
If you receive Windows Update error 80072f8f while checking for updates, your computer’s date and time might not be the same as the date and time for the online Windows Update service.
Ah, you see, you’ve changed the date and time of your system and that’s why your update is not working. Well, in case you are using a non-genuine version of Windows using “old system date”, then also you cannot update to the latest release. Either you have to get better hack or crack software to make your Windows genuine and sync your date and time service with that of Microsoft.
Troubleshooting Steps
The answer is simple. Just change your date & time to the current period. You can follow the following steps from Microsoft Windows article to serve your purpose.
To change your computer’s date and time
- Open Date and Time by clicking the Start button, clicking Control Panel, clicking Clock, Language, and Region, and then clicking Date and Time.
- On the Date and Time tab, make sure that your computer’s date and time are correct. If they’re not, click Change date and time.
- In the Date and Time Settings dialog box, do the following:
- To change the date, under Date, click the left or right arrows to find the current month in the calendar, and then click the current date.
- To change the time, under Time, double-click the hour, minutes, or seconds that you want to change, and then click the arrows to increase or decrease the value.
- When you have finished changing the time settings, click OK.
Or otherwise, there is a better solution to your Windows Update error 80072f8f problem. Just sync your computer clock with any Internet time server. To do it, just follow the succeeding steps.
- Click the Start button , click Control Panel, click Clock, Language, and Region, and then click Date and Time.
- Click the Internet Time tab, and then click Change settings. If the system ask for Administrator password, then you may need to enter it.
- Click Automatically synchronize with an Internet time server, select a time server, and then click OK.
This solution should work on Windows 7, Vista, XP and other Windows OS.
Windows 7 Update Error Code 80072f8f
How to Fix 80072f8f Error in Windows 8.1 and 8?
If you observe this video, it’ll be very clear that the above same solution also works for 8 and 8.1. In this video the author has clearly shown why the error is coming up.
When the computer date and time are set to 2011, he gets the 80072f8f error. But when he changes the time to the current time (i.e Nov 2016), you can see the updates are available.
Before changing the date, even trying several times, to update was a failure.
After correcting the date and time, the problem was resolved.
Other Issues and Fixes
Fix #1
If you are getting Windows update Error 80072f8f in Windows 8.1, you can try the following commands in a Command Prompt with (Admin) privileges.
net stop wuauserv
net stop cryptSvc
net stop bits
net stop msiserver
ren C:WindowsSoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
ren C:WindowsSystem32catroot2 catroot2.old
net start wuauserv
net start cryptSvc
net start bits
net start msiserver
pause
Exit the command prompt and check if the updates are working again.
[Source : http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows8_1-update/windows-81-error-code-80072f8f/6a5bafd2-013c-4a86-b185-be2d54e3a519]
Fix #2
The above problem could also be due to a bad update. One of the users on Microsoft forums found that KB 2919355 update is giving rise (80072F8F) update problem. So try uninstalling the recent updates if any, and see if the problem resolves.
Fix #3
You can also fix the Windows 8 update erreur 80072f8f, using the following commands.
w32tm /debug /enable /file:%userprofile%desktoptime.txt /size:4000000 /entries:0-300
Leave the system for a day or two and check whether the file %userprofile%desktoptime.txt fills up with data. Try and check for updates meanwhile, to see if any data is recorded in the events. Sometimes, magically, updates start getting downloaded and installed.
Fix #4
One article mentioned on “TechSupportForum” gives different solutions to the above problem. One author tried to implement the SFC /SCANNOW command in an elevated command-prompt window. After completing it you can also create a CBS.log file of the result. This can be posted on different forums and analyzed by various Windows experts.
If you get the following result after the scan, “Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations” it means your scan is successful and the file has been repaired.
Fix #5
How To Fix Error 80072f8f
You can also try the following command.
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
If you get the following message:
Then your computer is without issues regarding the above problem.
Fix #6
But if you still face problem there are several ways to go. You can stop and restart your Windows Time Service. You can do that from Services or apply the following command.
net stop w32time
W32tm /unregister
W32tm /register
net start w32time
w32tm /resync
Then if you still get any issue, you can see the problem in Event Viewer.
Fix #7
A better way to check is the CMOS battery. One of its purposes is maintain proper date and time of your computer hardware. So using F12 and Del key (depending upon your brand), you can go to your boot options and change the firmware or time over there.
Fix #8
If that fails too, than you can follow this link in Internet Explorer 6.0 or above only and update your root certificates. You need to find the OS (there are root certificates even for Windows 8.1 and 8) and click on Add. Download the update, run it on your PC and restart the computer. This should work out.
Fix #9
It is also important to keep your computer clean from temp files from time to time. For this you can clean out your temp/tmp folders in your Windows drive. You can also use the default clean up (Disk CleanUp) program found in Windows 8.1 or 8 or 7. The path to this program is as follows – Click Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Cləanup. (This for Windows OS with Start Menu. For 8 or 8.1, you can press Win key and type the program name).
Windows 7 Error 80072f8f
The easiest method of all is to using the FREE CCleaner program available from filehippo.com. You just have to click the “Analyze” button and then “Run Cleaner” so it clears all the cookies, temp and system dump files. Then you can use the “Registry” function to clean any left-over registry entries. This is also a solution, when some other updates are half-installed or the update progress stops in the middle.
Fix #10
You can also reset the Windows Update components. Otherwise, you can also use the Windows Update troubleshooter fix. This can be done using the tools provided by Microsoft itself.
Otherwise, you can stop and restart the “Windows Update” service in the Services window.
How to Fix 80072f8f Issue in Windows Phone?
This is the solution from “PCAdvisor”.
The date and time are to be set correctly on your phone. This error occurs when Windows attempts to run Update while your clock is set incorrectly. Simply correcting the date and time usually makes this error go away. The same issue can also occur on desktop PCs when running Windows Update.
This problem was reported by a Nokia Lumia 1020 user, who wanted to update to latest Cyan release of the Windows mobile operating system.
Fix #1
There could be other problems related to Lumia 920 or 520. The error code 80072f8f can also occur if you recently installed the Preview for Developers. In order to solve this, you can use the Windows Phone Recovery Tool and flash the phone. But there is a danger of your data being lost.
****Warning – So better make a backup of your data on the Windows phone. This step is important.
You can also do a “Hard Reset“. You can do this by resetting from Settings >> About. This will also sometimes fix the problem.
The following article is updated on Oct 26th, 2016.