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Error code 0x80072F8F when you try to search for available updates on Windows Update and Microsoft Update sites

This article is from Microsoft pasted here to avoid broken links. You can access Microsoft's page by clicking here

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SYMPTOMS

 

When you search for available updates on the Windows Update Web site or on the M...

 

When you search for available updates on the Windows Update Web site or on the Microsoft Update Web site, you may receive the following error code:
0x80072F8F
 

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CAUSE

 

This issue may occur if the date and time on the computer varies too much from t...

 

This issue may occur if the date and time on the computer varies too much from the valid date and time of the Secure Socket Layer (SSL) certificates that are used by the Windows Update Web site.
 

 

 
RESOLUTION

 

To resolve this issue, use the following methods in the order in which they are...

 

To resolve this issue, use the following methods in the order in which they are presented. If one method does not resolve this issue, go to the next method.
 

Method 1: Verify and adjust the date and time settings

To do this, follow these steps, as appropriate for the operating system that you are running.

Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003

  1. Click Start,
  2. Click Run.
  3. In the Open box, type Timedate.cpl
  4. Click OK.
  5. On the Date and Time tab, make sure that the computer's date and time are correct. If the settings are incorrect, adjust them to the correct date and time.
  6. Click OK
  7. Try to install updates again.

Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008

  1. Click the Start
  2. Type timedate.cpl in the Start Search box
  3. Click Timedate.cpl on the programs list.
  4. On the Date and Time tab, make sure that the computer's date and time are correct. If the settings are incorrect, click Change date and time.
  5. If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password, or provide confirmation.
  6. In the Date and Time dialog box, use the following procedures:
    • 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.
  7. When you finish changing the date and time settings, click OK.
  8. Try to install updates again.

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Method 2: Install the most current Microsoft root certificate update

Note Use this method if you are running Windows 2000, Windows XP, or Windows Server 2003.

To install the most current root certificate update, visit the following Microsoft Windows Update Web site:
http://update.microsoft.com/ windowsupdate (http://update.microsoft.com/ windowsupdate)
To find the root certificate update, use Windows Update to scan the computer, and then click Software, Optional. The root certificate update appears under the Optional Software Updates heading.

This item updates the list root certificates to the latest list that is accepted by Microsoft as part of the Microsoft Root Certificate Program. When you add more root certificates to the computer, you let a wider range of applications work seamlessly. These applications include applications that provide security-enhanced Web browsing, encrypted e-mail, and security-enhanced code delivery.

After you install this update, you may have to restart the computer. For more information about Microsoft Root Certificate Program members, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms995347.aspx (http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms995347.aspx)
To install the latest Microsoft root certificate for Windows XP, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
http://www.microsoft.com /downloads/ details.aspx?FamilyId=F814EC0E-EE7E-435E-99F8-20B44D4531B0&displaylang=en (http://www.microsoft.com /downloads/ details.aspx?FamilyId=F814EC0E-EE7E-435E-99F8-20B44D4531B0&displaylang=en)
 

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Method 3: Click to clear the "Check for server certificate revocation" check box

Note Use this method if you are running Windows 2000, Windows XP, or Windows Server 2003.
  1. Start Internet Explorer.
  2. On the Tools menu, click Internet Options.

    Note If you do not see the Internet Explorer menu bar, press the ALT key to display the menu.
  3. Click the Advanced tab
  4. Locate the Security section.
  5. Click to clear the Check for server certificate revocation check box
  6. Click OK.
  7. Restart the computer.
  8. Try to install updates again.
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Method 4: Register Windows .dll files that may be causing the issue

To do this, follow these steps, as appropriate for the operating system that you are running.

Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003.

  1. Click Start, and then click Run.
  2. In the Open box, type the following file names. Click OK after each file name:
    • regsvr32 Softpub.dll /s
    • regsvr32 Wintrust.dll /s
    • regsvr32 Initpki.dll /s
    • regsvr32 Mssip32.dll /s

Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008.

  1. Click Start
  2. Type regsvr32 Softpub.dll /s in the Start Search box
  3. Click OK.
  4. If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password, or click Continue.
  5. Repeat step 1 for the following file names:
    • regsvr32 Wintrust.dll /s
    • regsvr32 Mssip32.dll /s
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MORE INFORMATION

For more information about this issue in Windows Vista or in Windows Server 2008, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/bc1393cf-9f9c- 79c7-0f91-9337c2c412341033.mspx (http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/bc1393cf-9f9c-79c7-0f91-9337c2c412341033.mspx)

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APPLIES TO
  • Windows Vista Business
  • Windows Vista Enterprise
  • Windows Vista Home Basic
  • Windows Vista Home Premium
  • Windows Vista Ultimate
  • Windows Vista Enterprise 64-bit Edition
  • Windows Vista Home Basic 64-bit Edition
  • Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition
  • Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit Edition
  • Windows Vista Starter
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional Edition
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Web Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition (32-bit x86)
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition (32-bit x86)
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition (32-bit x86)
  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional
  • Windows Server 2008 Datacenter
  • Windows Server 2008 Enterprise
  • Windows Server 2008 Standard
  • Windows Server 2008 Datacenter without Hyper-V
  • Windows Server 2008 Enterprise without Hyper-V
  • Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-Based Systems
  • Windows Server 2008 Standard without Hyper-V