Code 80070424 Windows Update encountered an unknown error” while performing windows update

Hi Cursedfire13,

Is this the complete error message that you receive when you try to install iTunes

“Product: iTunes -- An error occurred during the installation of assembly 'Microsoft.VC80.CRT, publicKeyToken="1fc8b3b9a1e18e3b", type="win32", version="8.0.50727.762", processorArchitecture="x86"'. Please refer to Help and Support for more information. HRESULT: 0x80070424?

Based on my research, this error occurs when the registry entries under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\COMPONENTS is faulty because of an unsuccessful install of prior windows update or custom MSI (Microsoft Installer) packages.

I would suggest you to try the steps mentioned below.

Step 1: Error message when you use Windows Update or Microsoft Update Web sites to install updates: 0x80070424

Follow the steps in the order it is presented from the link given below in order to get your windows update to function correctly.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/968002/

After following the steps, you can try installing iTunes to see if you’re able to install it successfully or not. If you’re not, then proceed with the further steps.

Step 2: Error 1935.An error occurred during the installation of assembly 'Microsoft.VC90.ATL,version

If you’ve trouble installing iTunes or other programs on your computer, then I would suggest you to try the fix provided in the link given below.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/970652

Step 3: You cannot install some update or programs

You can also try the steps provided in the link given below if you’ve trouble installing some updates or programs on your computer

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/822798

Additional information:

Trouble installing iTunes or QuickTime for Windows

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1926

Hope this information is helpful and let me know if you need any further assistance.

Mouneshwar R – Microsoft Support

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Thanks for replying, but I can't find the Automatic Update thing in the service application. I tried to just continue, but even Windows Update Agent Installer wouldn't work with my laptop, I got a message saying "windows update agent installer encountered unrecoverable error"

Please answer all of the following diagnostic questions by number in your very next reply (no need to quote this post):

   • Which version of the Windows operating system am I running?
      http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/help/which-version-of-the-windows-operating-system-am-i-running

1. Is Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) or SP2 installed?

2. What anti-virus application or security suite is installed and is your subscription current?  What anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)?  What third-party firewall (if any)?

3. Has a(nother) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on this machine?

4. Did a Norton free-trial or a McAfee free-trial come preinstalled on the computer when you bought it? (Doesn't matter if you never used or Activated it.)

1. Vista Service Pack 1

2. Microsoft security essentials; it is the newest update. Defender is my only anti-spyware. No third-party firewall.

3. Norton anti-virus.

4. The free trial was installed when I bought this laptop.

Please answer all of the following diagnostic questions by number in your next reply (no need to quote this post):

1. When (approx. date) did you install Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) and was the computer fully-patched at Windows Update at the time?

2. What anti-virus application was installed before you installed MSE, was your subscription still current, and did you uninstall it before you installed MSE?

3. Did you uninstall the Norton free-trial AND THEN download/run the Norton Removal Tool BEFORE you installed a replacement anti-virus application OR a purchased version of Norton AntiVirus?

4. Had the preinstalled Norton free-trial period already expired by the time you replaced it or installed the purchased version of Norton AntiVirus?

NOTE: If MSE were installed & working properly, Defender should be disabled. SeeMicrosoft Security Essentials vs. Windows Defender

1. I think it was in August and the Updates stopped working in about January.

2. I had Avast anti-virus installed before MSE. It was fully updated and I did uninstall it before installing MSE.

3. I uninstalled the Norton free trial and then ran the Norton Removal Tool (I didn't know about the tool before uninstalling it) before changing my anti-virus.

4. The free trial expired before I replaced it.

The [preinstalled NAV] free trial expired before I replaced it [with Avast]

Then chances are that Avast never installed properly and was never working properly. And if such is the case, chances are the same applies to Microsoft Security Essentials.

The above notwithstanding...

1. Open Internet Explorer (only) to http://support.microsoft.com/kb/923737 & run the Fix It.

2. Open Internet Explorer (only) to http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058 & run that Fix It in DEFAULT and then AGGRESSIVE modes. [1]

3. Reboot & test.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[1] Full Disclosure: Running the Fix It in AGGRESSIVE mode will delete your Update History but not the list of Installed Updates.

I was afraid you'd tell me that. :(

See...

     Cleaning a Compromised System
     http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc700813.aspx

Back-up any personal data (none of which should be considered 100% trustworthy at this point) then format the HDD & do a clean install of Windows. Please note that a Repair Install (AKA in-place upgrade) will NOT fix this!

HOW TO do a clean install of Vista: See the "To install Windows by performing a clean installation" (or the "To reinstall Windows Vista") section of http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/Installing-and-reinstalling-Windows-Vista

NOTE: If your computer didn't come with a set of disks, there will be a hidden Recovery partition (not to be confused with System Restore) you would use to do the clean install (AKA a "destructive recovery").

After the clean install, you will have the equivalent of a "new computer" so take care of EVERYTHING on the following page BEFORE otherwise connecting the machine to the internet or a local network (i.e., other computers) AND BEFORE connecting a flash drive, SDCard, or any other external drive to the computer:

     4 steps to help protect your new computer before you go online
     http://www.microsoft.com/security/pypc.aspx

Tip: After getting the computer fully-patched, download/install KB971029 manually before connecting any external drive to the computer: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971029

VERY IMPORTANT!! =>  The Norton free-trial will be reinstalled (but invalid) when Windows is reinstalled. You MUST uninstall the free-trial AND download/run the Norton Removal Tool (again) BEFORE installing any updates, Windows Service Packs or IE upgrades AND BEFORE installing your new anti-virus application (e.g.,Microsoft Security Essentials).

Also see:

Risks & Benefits of P2P file sharing
http://www.microsoft.com/protect/data/downloadfileshare/filesharing.aspx
http://blogs.technet.com/mmpc/archive/2008/10/06/the-cost-of-free-software.aspx
http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/tips/ST05-007.html

Steps To Help Prevent Spyware
http://www.microsoft.com/security/spyware/prevent.aspx 

Steps to Help Prevent Computer Worms
http://www.microsoft.com/security/worms/prevent.aspx

Avoid Rogue Security Software!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/antivirus/rogue.aspx

If you need additional assistance with the clean install, please begin a new thread in this forum: http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/vistarepair/threads

If these procedures look too complex - and there is no shame in admitting this isn't your cup of tea - take the machine to a local, reputable and independent (i.e., not BigBoxStoreUSA or Geek Squad) computer repair shop.

Wish I'd had better news for you.  Good luck!