update error 80073712 / updates don't work

I'm having this problem forever, somtimes the updates get there but most of
the time not and I get this error. Can someone help me?

Oh yes, I have Vista.

The "Windows Features" dialog box is empty in Windows Vista, or you receive
an error message that includes the following code when you try to use
Windows Update: "0x80073712":
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/KB931712

--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)
AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
DTS-L http://dts-l.net/

Kristof wrote:
> Oh yes, I have Vista.

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:

> The "Windows Features" dialog box is empty in Windows Vista, or you receive
> an error message that includes the following code when you try to use
> Windows Update: "0x80073712":
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/KB931712

Tanks a lot for the tip, but it doesn't help me since there is no
"pending.xml" file to be found in the mentioned directory:

1. Click Start Start button , type %windir%\winsxs in the Start Search box
2. Press ENTER.
3. Locate and right-click the pending.xml file.
4. Click to select Properties.
5. Click the Security tab, and then click Edit.
6. Click Users, and then click to select Allow Full control.
7. Click OK two times.
8. Try to delete the pending.xml file again.

.... I searched in all possible ways I think, can someone help me a bit
further?

Start a free Windows Update support incident request:
https://support.microsoft.com/oas/de...spx?gprid=6527

Support for Windows Update:
http://support.microsoft.com/gp/wusupport

For home users, no-charge support is available by calling 1-866-PCSAFETY in
the United States and in Canada or by contacting your local Microsoft
subsidiary. There is no-charge for support calls that are associated with
security updates. When you call, clearly state that your problem is related
to a Security Update and cite the update's KB number (e.g., KB123456).

For more information about how to contact your local Microsoft subsidiary
for security update support issues, visit the International Support Web
site: http://support.microsoft.com/common/international.aspx

For enterprise customers, support for security updates is available through
your usual support contacts.

Tip: Temporarily disable real-time protection by your anti-virus and/or
anti-spyware applications (e.g., CounterSpy, Spysweeper, Spybot, AVG
Anti-Spyware) and/or any third-party firewall (e.g., ZA) before attempting
to install the update(s).
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)
AumHa VSOP & Admin; DTS-L.org

Kristof wrote:
> "PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:
>
>> The "Windows Features" dialog box is empty in Windows Vista, or you
>> receive
>> an error message that includes the following code when you try to use
>> Windows Update: "0x80073712":
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/KB931712
>
> Tanks a lot for the tip, but it doesn't help me since there is no
> "pending.xml" file to be found in the mentioned directory:
>
> 1. Click Start Start button , type %windir%\winsxs in the Start Search
> box
> 2. Press ENTER.
> 3. Locate and right-click the pending.xml file.
> 4. Click to select Properties.
> 5. Click the Security tab, and then click Edit.
> 6. Click Users, and then click to select Allow Full control.
> 7. Click OK two times.
> 8. Try to delete the pending.xml file again.
>
> ... I searched in all possible ways I think, can someone help me a bit
> further?

Thanks for this route to delete the pending.xml file, I had been struggling
for weeks trying to do this via the cmd route but my user account was always
rejected.

I deleted the file....restarted my computer and sucessfully downloaded 46
updates.

Fingers crossed that this has solved my 12 months worth of error code
80073712.

Thanks again from a computer illeterate 54 yr old.


"Kristof" wrote:

>
>
> "PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:
>
> > The "Windows Features" dialog box is empty in Windows Vista, or you receive
> > an error message that includes the following code when you try to use
> > Windows Update: "0x80073712":
> > http://support.microsoft.com/kb/KB931712
>
> Tanks a lot for the tip, but it doesn't help me since there is no
> "pending.xml" file to be found in the mentioned directory:
>
> 1. Click Start Start button , type %windir%\winsxs in the Start Search box
> 2. Press ENTER.
> 3. Locate and right-click the pending.xml file.
> 4. Click to select Properties.
> 5. Click the Security tab, and then click Edit.
> 6. Click Users, and then click to select Allow Full control.
> 7. Click OK two times.
> 8. Try to delete the pending.xml file again.
>
> ... I searched in all possible ways I think, can someone help me a bit
> further?
>

YW & thanks for your feedback.
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
DTS-L http://dts-l.net/

Casey Corcs wrote:
> Thanks for this route to delete the pending.xml file, I had been
> struggling
> for weeks trying to do this via the cmd route but my user account was
> always
> rejected.
>
> I deleted the file....restarted my computer and sucessfully downloaded 46
> updates.
>
> Fingers crossed that this has solved my 12 months worth of error code
> 80073712.
>
> Thanks again from a computer illeterate 54 yr old.
>
>
> "Kristof" wrote:
>
>>
>>
>> "PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:
>>
>>> The "Windows Features" dialog box is empty in Windows Vista, or you
>>> receive an error message that includes the following code when you try
>>> to
>>> use Windows Update: "0x80073712":
>>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/KB931712
>>
>> Tanks a lot for the tip, but it doesn't help me since there is no
>> "pending.xml" file to be found in the mentioned directory:
>>
>> 1. Click Start Start button , type %windir%\winsxs in the Start Search
>> box
>> 2. Press ENTER.
>> 3. Locate and right-click the pending.xml file.
>> 4. Click to select Properties.
>> 5. Click the Security tab, and then click Edit.
>> 6. Click Users, and then click to select Allow Full control.
>> 7. Click OK two times.
>> 8. Try to delete the pending.xml file again.
>>
>> ... I searched in all possible ways I think, can someone help me a bit
>> further?