FIXED: Windows Update Error 80072EFE [Windows 7 Tips]

快速解决Windows更新错误80072EFE的方法：

Translation into English:

"What is Error Code 80072EFE?"

Almost all iterations of Windows come with some bugs and errors that need fixing, such as the 0x80070570 error or error code 0xc00000e. The Windows Update error 80072EFE is a specific issue that appears on-screen when the system fails to update your applications and software. Initially prevalent in Windows 7, this error has also been observed in Windows Server. Not limited to a particular version, users across various Windows editions encounter this problem.

Have you ever encountered a message on your screen stating "Windows couldn't search for new updates"? This typically occurs due to the detection of the error 80072EFE, which is often a result of an interrupted connection between the Windows Update server and your device.

Are you eager to discover the most effective solution to this issue? Are you tired of encountering this error screen on your device while working? Worry not, as we have compiled the top 6 fixes to address this error and restore your device to its normal functioning state.

Resolve Windows Update Error 80072EFE with 6 Methods

Every Windows user is aware that occasional errors arise within the system due to various issues. Just like any other error, Windows error 80072EFE can be resolved employing different methods. Since this error can stem from different causes, you'll need to try different solutions to pinpoint the correct one. Below, we've compiled a list of remedies that have proven effective in addressing this particular error.

Solution 1: Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter

Windows provides a built-in troubleshooter specifically crafted to address such errors. This tool enables you to fix numerous issues and restore your device's proper functioning. Allow us to guide you through the process of running the Windows Update Troubleshooter step by step.

Step 1. Go to the Start Menu. Search for "Troubleshoot."

Step 2. Click on "Troubleshoot settings". Open "Additional troubleshooters".

Step 3. Select "Windows Update." Next, run the Troubleshooter.

It will scan your computer to detect errors and propose solutions. You can effortlessly follow the suggested solutions to pinpoint the appropriate fix for this error. This remedy may also be effective for the following issue:

Fix 2: Delete the CatRoot2 Folder for Windows Update

Sometimes, you might encounter the Windows update error 80072EFE due to corrupted files within the system folder of updates. The CatRoot2 folder is specifically responsible for Windows updates, as it holds the signatures for individual Windows update packages. To rectify the issue, you can eliminate the corrupted or affected files by deleting this folder. Here are the steps to do so: 1. Press the 'Windows key + X' on your keyboard and select 'Command Prompt (Admin)' from the menu. 2. In the Command Prompt, type the following command and press Enter: `sfc /scannow` This command will run a System File Checker scan to detect any corrupted system files. 3. After the scan completes, if it finds any issues, it will automatically attempt to fix them. 4. If the System File Checker does not resolve the problem, proceed with deleting the CatRoot2 folder. Type the following commands one by one, pressing Enter after each: ``` ren C:\Windows\System32\CatRoot2 CatRoot2.old del /F /Q C:\Windows\System32\CatRoot2.old ``` 5. Restart your computer. 6. Windows will recreate the CatRoot2 folder upon restart, and the corrupted files should be replaced. 7. Try running the Windows Update again to see if the error has been resolved. Please note that these steps involve modifying critical system files, so exercise caution and ensure you have a system restore point or backup before proceeding.

Step 1. Press the Windows button and the R key at the same time.

Step 2. In the box that appears on the screen, type services.msc. Click on the "OK" button.

Step 3. Look for "Cryptographic Services" and launch it with a double click.

Step 4. Select the "Stop" option from the window. Once you've done that, tap "Ok" to exit the window.

Step 5. Press the Windows button and the E key at the same time.

Step 6. Type C:WindowsSystem32 in the opened window. Right-click on the CatRoot2 folder and delete it.

Remember, you cannot delete a file from the system folder without taking certain precautions beforehand. That's why we have outlined a few steps prior to the actual deletion process.

Fix 3: Run the Network Adapter Troubleshooter

A frequent reason behind the Windows update error 80072EFE is an interruption in the network connection. To diagnose and address issues with a specific network, Windows provides a built-in troubleshooting tool. You can utilize this troubleshooter to resolve the problem on your computer.

Step 1. Go to the Start menu and search for "Troubleshoot". Open the "Troubleshoot settings".

Step 2. Browse the "Additional Troubleshooters."

Step 3. Locate the "Network Adapter." Tap on it to open the menu.

Step 4. Select "Run the Troubleshooter" to initiate the scan.

It will take a few minutes to scan your system and identify the issues if they are caused by this reason. You simply need to follow the recommended solutions displayed on your screen to resolve this problem.

Fix 4: Install the KB3138612 Update Patch

This procedure typically works for users running Windows 7. You can attempt this solution to see if it resolves the issue for you. In this process, you'll need to manually install the KB3138612 update on your device. It shouldn't take more than a few minutes to complete.

Step 1. Open your web browser and search for the "Windows Update Client for Windows 7" page.

Step 2. Tap on the "Download Package Link".

Step 3. Click the button to confirm the download.

Step 4. Once downloaded, open the folder and install KB3138612 using the downloaded installer.

This fix is fairly straightforward and quicker than others, as it doesn't involve dealing with multiple keys to perform operations. You can easily download and install the Windows updater manually from the Microsoft Store without any issues.

Fix 5: Disable Third-Party Firewall and Antivirus Software

It's typical to download a third-party application like an antivirus software to safeguard your data from unauthorized access. However, these types of programs can sometimes negatively impact your computer's performance. They might even cause issues like the Windows error 80072EFE. Therefore, it's advisable to disable such programs temporarily and see if the problem gets resolved.

Step 1. Access the Control Panel on your device. Locate the "Programs and Features" option.

Step 2. Locate third-party antivirus programs or any other software.

Step 3. Click on the program name to select it.

Step 4. Tap on the "Uninstall" button located just beside the app's name.

Step 5. Click on the window displayed on the screen to confirm the uninstallation.

By doing this, you can uninstall the specific program and check if the Windows update error has been resolved. However, it's essential to restart your system at least once before performing this check.

Fix 6. Reset Windows Update Components

As we all know, numerous issues can arise in a device due to corrupted or compromised files. Similarly, the Windows update error 80072EFE can occur when the update files become corrupted. Therefore, it's advisable to check for this by resetting those files and observing the results of your actions.

Step 1. Launch the Command Prompt on your system. Run it with administrative privileges.

Step 2. Paste these four commands in order and press enter after each one.

These are commands to stop specific Windows services in Command Prompt. Here's the translation in English: net stop wuauserv
net stop cryptSvc
net stop bits
net stop msiserver This translates to: "Stop the Windows Update service
Stop the Cryptographic Services
Stop the Background Intelligent Transfer Service
Stop the Microsoft Installer Service"

Step 3. Press the Windows button and the E key simultaneously to open File Explorer.

Step 4. Search for "CatRoot 2 and Software Distribution" folders.

Step 5. Delete all the data from these folders.

Step 6. Open Command Prompt again and paste the aforementioned keys. Press the Enter button, then close the window.

Step 7. Reboot the system to save the settings properly.

This is the final resolution you can attempt to fix the Windows Update error 80072EFE. If none of the above solutions have worked for you, this method involves resetting your system's settings entirely and then restoring new settings.

Useful Tips: How to Retrieve Missing or Lost Data on Windows 7 or Windows Server When you accidentally delete files or encounter data loss on Windows 7 or Windows Server, it can be a stressful situation. However, there are several methods you can try to recover your lost data. Here are some useful tips to help you in this process: 1. **Check the Recycle Bin**: The first step is always to check the Recycle Bin. Files that you delete are moved here by default, so simply open it and see if your deleted files are still there. If found, right-click and choose "Restore." 2. **File History (Windows 7 only)**: If you have enabled File History in Windows 7, you can restore your files from a backup. Go to Control Panel > System and Security > Backup and Restore > Restore my files. Follow the on-screen instructions to locate and restore the deleted files. 3. **System Restore Point**: Create regular System Restore Points on your Windows 7 or Windows Server machine. In case of data loss, you can use System Restore to revert your system to a previous state when the files were still present. Access this feature through Control Panel > System > System Protection. 4. **Third-Party Data Recovery Tools**: There are numerous reliable data recovery software options available, such as tools Data Recovery Wizard, Recuva, or Stellar Phoenix. Download and install one of these tools, then follow the steps to scan your hard drive for deleted or lost files. These tools often offer a preview before recovery, allowing you to ensure the files are the ones you need. 5. **chkdsk Utility**: If the data loss is due to a corrupted file system, you can run the built-in chkdsk utility. Open Command Prompt as an administrator and type `chkdsk /f /r C:` (replace 'C:' with the affected drive letter). This command will check for file system errors and attempt to repair them. 6. **Professional Data Recovery Services**: If the above methods fail, consider contacting a professional data recovery service. They have specialized tools and expertise to retrieve data from damaged or severely corrupted drives. Remember, prevention is key. Regularly back up your important data to external storage devices or cloud services to minimize the risk of permanent data loss.

When your system is unable to upgrade due to unforeseen errors, such as the Windows Update error 80072EFE, you run the risk of data loss. To ensure the safety of your data in such situations, utilize data recovery software tools, like this data recovery software.

Data Recovery Wizard Pro has been developed to help you retrieve your data with a high success rate. Regardless of the reason behind your data loss, it can swiftly restore your files. Moreover, it allows you to recover data from a flash drive, SD card, pen drive, or other devices, not just limited to PCs.

You will also find its interface to be quite straightforward and user-friendly. This simple interface doesn't require you to have technical expertise in the field. You can recover deleted files or data by following the simple instructions provided by this tool.

Step 1. Select a drive and start scanning Select the desired drive from which you want to recover data, and initiate the scanning process. This step is crucial as it helps the software to analyze and search for lost or deleted files on the chosen drive.

Launch the "Data Recovery Wizard" tool and hover over the partition where you lost your data. This could be an internal hard disk, external drive, USB, or SD card. Next, click on "Scan".

Translation:

Step 2. Check and preview scanned files This step involves reviewing and previewing the files that have been scanned by the software. Once the scanning process is complete, the software will display a list of all the recoverable files. You can check the boxes next to the files you wish to recover, and you might also have the option to preview their content to ensure they are the correct files before proceeding with the recovery.

Utilize the file format filter located in the top left or upper right corner to refine the scan results until you locate the necessary files. Once found, you can click the "Preview" button or double-click a file to preview its contents, should you wish to do so.

Step 3. Recover lost data to a secure location This step involves retrieving the missing data and saving it to a safe and secure place. Here's a detailed explanation: 1. **Identify the Source of Lost Data**: First, determine where the lost data was originally stored. It could be on a hard drive, USB drive, memory card, or in the cloud. 2. **Use Data Recovery Software**: If the data is not in a backup, you might need to use a reliable data recovery software. There are various options available, such as Recuva, tools Data Recovery Wizard, or Disk Drill. Download and install the software on a separate device to avoid overwriting the lost data. 3. **Scan for Lost Files**: Connect the storage device containing the lost data to your computer. Launch the data recovery software and initiate a scan. The software will search for deleted or lost files. 4. **Preview and Select Files**: Once the scan is complete, the software will display a list of recoverable files. Preview the files to ensure they're the ones you need, then select them for recovery. 5. **Choose a Safe Destination**: Do not save the recovered data back to the original location, as this may overwrite other lost files. Instead, choose a different storage device or a secure folder on your computer. 6. **Start the Recovery Process**: Click on 'Recover' or a similar button in the software to begin the data recovery process. Wait patiently until it's completed. 7. **Backup Your Data**: After successfully recovering the data, make sure to create backups to prevent future loss. Use external hard drives, cloud services, or network-attached storage (NAS) devices for this purpose. Remember, prevention is always better than cure. Regularly backing up your data can save you from the hassle of data recovery in the future.

Check the box next to the file and click "Recover" to restore the lost data to a secure location. It's recommended that you do not save the recovered data on the same disk where it was initially lost.

"Wrap Up" in English means "to conclude" or "to summarize." It is often used to indicate that something, such as a meeting, presentation, or discussion, is coming to an end and the main points or outcomes are being reviewed.

Undoubtedly, Windows Update error 80072EFE is among the most frequent computer errors encountered. Numerous Windows users have regularly reported encountering this issue on their devices. In the above article, we have explored the top 6 solutions to effectively resolve this problem.

You should attempt each of them individually to discover a suitable method to resolve this issue. Addressing this error might take some time since you might not be aware of the actual cause behind it. Therefore, it's important to remain patient and dedicate sufficient time to eradicate this error.

FAQs on Windows Error 80072EFE

In this part, we will answer some important questions that are related to Windows error 80072EFE.

How do I resolve error 80072EFE?

There are several solutions available to rectify this error:

1. Solution 1: Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter
2. Solution 2: Delete the CatRoot2 folder for the Windows update
3. Solution 3: Run the Network Adapter Troubleshooter
4. Solution 4: Install the KB3138612 update patch
5. Solution 5: Disable third-party firewall and antivirus software
6. Solution 6: Reset the Windows Update components

What is error code 80072EFE?

It is an error code displayed by the Windows Update program. This occurs due to an interruption in the connection between the Windows server and your device.

Are Windows 7 updates still available in 2022? Windows 7 updates, specifically the security updates, were officially discontinued on January 14, 2020. However, some organizations that have purchased the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program can still receive critical security updates until January 2023. For individual users, Microsoft highly recommends upgrading to a newer operating system, such as Windows 10 or Windows 11, to ensure ongoing support and protection.

Windows 7 is usable in 2022, however, Microsoft has ended mainstream support for this version.