Windows 7 - 80073712

Hi,

I get the error 80073712 - Windows Update encountered an unknown error when trying to install the 11/24/2009 update for Windows 7 x64-based systems. Windows update hasn't given me this error before when installing previous updates. What to do ? :/

Hi and welcome
This error can occur when the windows update files are corrupt. download it and try again.

Kenn J++

Hi, tried several times. Still the same issue.

There is some good information here: 80073712 in Windows Update, especially the post from Anthony (4th from top).

I know that fix. It's Vista-only.

What's annoying about it is that it always needs to install when shutting down. It fails, and so windows gives me a BSOD so I have to shut down by pressing and holding the power button, which is not good.

Oh, and I can't system restore because all the restore points are at 'Windows Update' when I try to install this minor update and fail.

So please, can anyone help? Forcing power off all the time is really dangerous.

So noone using Windows 7 (not Vista) has had this problem before?

The Vista fix will probably work for 7. Have you already tried it?

It's not a bad thing to use the power button to power down a machine, from a technical standpoint. No harm.

There is no pending.xml under C:/winsxs, and holding down the power button to instantly shut down without saving files and such causes no harm?

Right. No harm done. That's what the power button is for.