8024402C Windows Update error

OK - see this article for assistance now - you have some hope of it working :)

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/w...error-8024402C

OK - back to basic triubleshooting methods then.

What Anti-Virus are you using?
What other security software is currently installed?
What other AV's have EVER been installed (since the last reformat)??

Has any Norton software ever been installed?

OK - McAfee leaves large amounts of dross behind, even if never fully installed.

Download the McAfee removal tool from:

http://download.mcafee.com/products/licensed/cust_support_patches/MCPR.exe

Click Save, and save the file to a folder on your computer.
Navigate to the folder where you saved the file.
right-click on MCPR.exe and select 'Run as Administrator' to run the removal tool.

when complete, reboot.


After the reboot, open an Elevated Command Prompt, and run the following command

NETSH WINSOCK RESET

You'll be advised to reboot - do so.

I'm tempted to also ask you to remove AVG and run the AVG Remover - but let's wait until we see if the MCPR trips anything.

OK - unless you've already reinstalled AV, please install MSE at least temporarily. Microsoft Security Essentials - Microsoft Windows
Update it and run a full system scan.

Also,
Please download and install Malwarebytes Anti-malware (free version) from http://www.malwarebytes.org/products/malwarebytes_free/ - UNtick 'Enable free trial of MBAM PRO' at the end of the installation - and update it, then run a full scan in your main account, and Quick scans in any other user accounts.

Delete everything it finds

You lost me?
Are you saying that you can install updates downloaded from the Download Center? - but Windows is still refusing to do a Search for updates? - or what?