02/21/09Windows update is broken. I have Turned off the Windows Update Service, then deleted the SoftwareDistribution directory, then restartedthe Windows Update Service. Error Code: 8000FFFFAny suggestions?Thank you.

Microsoft's knowledge base has something you could try. Given Win 7 is based on the Vista codebase, it might work.Try this solution and see if it fixes the problem for you:http://support.microsoft.com/kb/946414No idea if the "Fix it For Me" thing will work with Win 7 just yet, but they do give instructions for doing it manually.

The "Fix It" MSI will not run on Win7.The registry values: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\COMPONENTS\PendingXmlIdentifier HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\COMPONENTS\NextQueueEntryIndex HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\COMPONENTS\AdvancedInstallersNeedResolving are NOT in my registry.What I have is:ExecutionStateStoreArchitectureStoreFormatVersionAny other suggestions?

It was a shot... Ah well, I kinda figured that it might not work given Win 7 is still beta and such.Ok... So you say you deleted the SoftwareDistribution folder. And that's when Windows Update stopped working.Had a look in the folder - and it would seem there's an awful LOT of stuff in there relating to WU... Have you considered the option of either doing a system restore to see if you can recover the folder and it's contents? I'd suggest going back a day or so before you whacked the SoftwareDistribution folder to make sure you get it all restored.I'm not entirely sure if Windows 7 does the previous versions thing with that particular folder, but that is also an option. Just out of curiosity... Why did you delete the folder in the first place?

I didnt' delete that folder until after I got the Windows Update error. It's one of the posted fixes.1) Was installing updates. One failed, and since then, WU would error out.2) One of the solutions was to remove/rename the "SoftwareDistribution" directory, as that is where WU stores temp files.I'll try the system restore later tonight.- A.J.

same thing hapopened to me. no idea how to fix it.

@ Acroma:Please define 'broken', if you could:1- Windows Update does not open2- Windows Update return an error at X point after launch.3- Windows Update cannot install X updates (and, the error code(s), if displayed.)Need info, so we can know which direction to point you in for fixes.-Chris[If this post helps to resolve your issue, please click the "Mark as Answer" or "Helpful" button at the top of this message. By marking a post as Answered, or Helpful you help others find the answer faster.]

A.J. B said: I didnt' delete that folder until after I got the Windows Update error. It's one of the posted fixes.1) Was installing updates. One failed, and since then, WU would error out.2) One of the solutions was to remove/rename the "SoftwareDistribution" directory, as that is where WU stores temp files.I'll try the system restore later tonight.- A.J.Ah.. My confusion... That part now makes sense given the above additional information. Let us know how the System Restore went...

Chris Cupler said: @ Acroma:Please define 'broken', if you could:1- Windows Update does not open2- Windows Update return an error at X point after launch.3- Windows Update cannot install X updates (and, the error code(s), if displayed.)Need info, so we can know which direction to point you in for fixes.-Chris [If this post helps to resolve your issue, please click the "Mark as Answer" or "Helpful" button at the top of this message. By marking a post as Answered, or Helpful you help others find the answer faster.] after start searching updated i receive this error:windows couldnt search for new updates. code 80070422(windows update encountered an unknown error). it happened after i downloaded new update client few days ago. restore feature not changing anything. i can again download new update client and get same error again after update.

I just downloaded the update and got the same message. I missed the message to reboot. Once I rebooted the error went away and all is well.D i c k MillerHot Springs Village, AR

Broken means that the windows update"doesn't work".I launch Windows Update, select "Search for updates", then get the code 8000FFFF response.System restore did not work, either.Is there any other temp dirs that Windows Update uses?- A.J.

I am getting the same error. not sure why cant cant seem to find any help on it, this was the closest. i got.Everything esle updates, antivirus. but none of microsoft stuff

There's another post in the Installation, Setup and Deployment forum found here.The fix for the moment is to do an "In Place Upgrade" - where you stick the DVD into your computer and install Windows 7 as an upgrade on top of itself. This won't affect your data files nor installed apps - but it will refresh the Windows system files and registry entries allowing you to do a proper Windows Update again.