Windows 7 cannot check for updates & error 0x80070002

Warning: Running the Norton Removal Tool can actually cause this error: See https://community.norton.com/en/foru...windows-update

It deletes a registry key required for BITS to work properly. Instructions from Microsoft are buried here: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/910337

Windows could not start the Background Intelligent Transfer service on the local computer. For more information review the system event log. If this is a non-Microsoft service contact the service vendor and refer to service-specific error code -2147024894. (0x80070002)
If you receive this error message, follow these steps:
Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK.
Locate the following registry subkey:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\BackupRestore\FilesNotToBackup
If the registry subkey exists, go to step 4. If the registry subkey does not exist, create the registry subkey. To do this, follow these steps:
Right-click Backup Restore, point to New, and then click Key.
Type FilesNotToBackup, and then press ENTER.
Quit Registry Editor.
Click Start, click Run, type services.msc, and then click OK.
Double-click Background Intelligent Transfer Service.
In the General tab, click Start.

Hope this helps someone