Fix Windows Error Code 80072f8f in Windows 8.1 and 7

Fix Windows Error Code 80072f8f, the primary cause of the Windows Update Error 80072f8f is related to your computer’s date and time settings being in error.

This could be due to a faulty CMOS battery or buggy hardware.

The first way to fix error code 80072F8F in Windows 7 or 8.1 is to synchronize time with an Internet time server like time.windows.com.

The failure of your CMOS battery could be the reason for issues with your memory and boot process.

The Windows Update problem and the solution to the error code 80072ee2 has been extensively discussed in this it-help subreddit .

Today we shall see how to solve a different kind of issue – we’re going to look at code 80072f8f.

This issue occurs whenever we install Windows 8.1 or 8 updates, or 7, as well as Vista+ and XP for that matter, whether or not it’s server edition or a workstation.

Why does Windows Update Error 80072f8f occur mainly?

So you have bought a new Dell or Samsung laptop. Otherwise, you bought Windows 7 Professional or Ultimate from a Best Buy store and you installed it on your brand new computer and you’re ready to use some of the software.

Well, for now everything seems fine. However, over time the Windows giant Microsoft decides to release an update to your Windows 7 operating system (SP1 is the current update) or XP (SP3 is the current update).

Now you decide to update and encounter an error code of 80072F8F.

What’s the reason?

You might experience Windows Update error 80072f8f if the time and date that your computer is set to is way off, and therefore causing a discrepancy between the time on your computer and the time that’s kept by Microsoft.

Ah, so you see, you’ve chosen to change the date and time of your system and that’s why your update is not working.

Well, if you are using a non-genuine version of Windows using “old system date”, then also you cannot update to the latest release.

Either you have to get better hack or crack software to make your Windows genuine and sync your date and time service with that of Microsoft or wait until Microsoft’s team comes up with some solution regarding this issue.

How to Fix 80072f8f Error in Windows 8.1 and 8?

If you look at the video, it will become clear that this issue may also occur with 8.1 and 8. In this video, the author has demonstrated exactly why the error occurs.

We reproduce the issue by setting the date and time to 2011. When we do so, our system returns an error message stating that updates are available.

Changing the date and time to that of November 2016, updates are now present in the app store.

Before changing the date, even trying multiple times, to edit was a failure.

After correcting the date and time, this problem was resolved.

Other Issues and Fixes

Fix #1

If you’re trying to get Windows updates but keep getting Error 80072f8f, try running the following commands in a Command Prompt with administrative privileges.

net stop wuauserv
net stop cryptSvc
net stop bits
net stop msiserver
ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old
net start wuauserv
net start cryptSvc
net start bits
net start msiserver
pause

Exit the command prompt and check if updates are working again.

Fix #2

The above problem could also be due to one of the updates. One of the users on Microsoft forums found that KB 2919355 update was causing this issue.

One way to fix this is by uninstalling updates if any were recently installed and then see if the problem still occurs.

Fix #3

You can fix the Windows 8 update error 80072f8f in the following way.

w32tm /debug /enable /file:%userprofile%\desktop\time.txt /size:4000000 /entries:0-300

allow the PC based software to be interrupted for an hour or two and then check whether the file %userprofile%\desktop\time.txt has filled up with data.

If no data has been added, please repeat the process and check for any updates at the same time in order to see if any system events occur that relate to installing updates.

Fix #4

A review of “Tech-Support-Forum” shows that users on the forum have had varied experiences with attempts to resolve windows update problems.

One author lists a number of different solutions he has used, one of which is running an elevated command prompt (CMD) window and then accessing Scan Now from the troubleshooter.

Asking for help via forums, or better yet creating a log file from SFC won’t hurt.

If you run into a serious problem with your computer like the one below, don’t panic. Just google this error message to find steps to fix it first:

Fix #5

You can also try the following command.

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

If you get the following message:

The restore operation completed successfully. The component store corruption was repaired. The operation completed successfully.

Now your computer is without issues regarding the above problem.

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