A solution to (some?) update problems - error 0x80072EE2
Having spent several days trying to get Windows 7 to update (and also to activate following a sysprepped migration to new hardware), and having tried every "fix" offered by MicroSoft and also on these and other forums, all without success, I stumbled on the solution (at least for me) and thought I should share it.
My internet connection was working fine, using Firefox browser, and I could access any website without problems, get emails, etc. but try as I might I could not get the computer to activate online or to get (or even check for) updates - both returning the error 0x80072EE2.
For some reason after trying everything else I could find or think of, it occurred to me to check with Windows Explorer which promptly reported an error with Internet connection and offered to fix it, an offer I accepted, whereupon within seconds everything was fixed and both activation and updates proceeded without further error.
It seems MicroSoft requires you to set up Internet Explorer (even if you never use it and prefer another browser) before it will accept activation and update requests. It is a pity they don't tell you this - in my case in excess of 12 hours fruitless on-screen labour wasted, and judging by the forums many thousands of hours all told!
