Windows 7: Windows Update Error 80072EFD

Folks

Hope you are well this fine weekend!

I have been in state of combat with my Windows 7 Home edition's inability to search for updates for around 3 months ! We're talking error 80072EFD.....so far I've:



Cleaned the registry (Reg Cure)
Completely and fully uninstalled Mcafee (using their own uninstall tool), and my antispyware program (re-installed now though AVG instead of Mcafee)
Disabled the firewall / altered site permissions
Run both available "Fix Windows Updates" tools
Checked for Malaware (Malabytes)
Ensured that I have the right settings in Component Services - there are no dependency issues

I'm at a loss how to solve this short of re-installing the OS - which would be a major pain as I have a number of big audio orientated programmes to reload.

Incidently, Windows Security Center Services has never been able to start either - I've disabled this; and my addition sound card (Creative X-FI notebook) works but stops working after about an hour (iTunes for example simply stops playing)....onboard IDT audio is fine.

I'm using a Dell Studio 1747, 4gb Ram machine pre-installed with Windows 7 Home bought in Jan 2010.....

HELP

Would a repair install be an option? I suspect it's too late for a system restore....

Repair Install

Thanks - yea restore option long gone, but repair install sounds like a plan; will report back

Hey thanks - worked a treat

Glad u got it sorted !