Windows 7 Update error 80073701

chrisV2 · 21 Oct 2015

I have four Win 7 updates that constantly try to install, and fail every time with the same underlying error code of 80073701.

I ran the readiness tool three times, and it doesn't seem to help.

I ran sfc /scannow and it came back with "Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations."

I looked at cbs.log (which is 200meg and almost a million rows) - and I extracted ONLY the rows that mentioned one of the updates that was failing (KB3080149).

Here is the excerpt from cbs.log. Does this give any clue as to what is wrong or how to fix this? I tried everything short of re-installing Windows.

(EDIT): just realized there is this thing called checksur.log -- and I attached that as well.

wben353 · 27 Oct 2015

HI chrisV2 & welcome to the forum. You have quite a few corrupt kbs. I've actually been working those for most of the day. Please be patient.

wben353 · 27 Oct 2015

Lets run Disk Cleanup first to clean up superseded windows updates. if win7 service pack 1 isn't installed, won't work. think positive!! :)

Click start orb & type Disk Cleanup in search box.
Select disk cleanup and press enter.
Choose drive click OK.
In the Files to delete: there should be an entry for Windows Update Cleanup. Check it's box and any other you wish, I have all mine checked. If there is no Windows Update Cleanup, then click here for instructions and download.
Run disk cleanup and restart computer.
Run SURT tool again and post checkSUR.log.

Hopefully it will clear some of the mess.
Patience is a virtue!!

chrisV2 · 27 Oct 2015

Thanks...unfortunately since my thread was dormant for several days and the situation with this laptop was becoming unbearable, I had to re-install Windows. I could not do a 'repair install', it kept saying my version of Windows was newer than what was on my OEM disk.

So disk wipe, and reinstall. I was able to save all my files and settings so it wasn't too horrible, took me a total of around 12 hours. Works fine now :)

wben353 · 27 Oct 2015

Sorry we didn't get to your issue quicker. I've had a serious family medical issue that's taken much of my time.

On the bright side, I'm glad to hear you resolved your issue, albeit not the first choice.

Could have provided you with win7x32 or x64 iso with sp1.

chrisV2 · 28 Oct 2015

oh gosh, no worries at all - and sorry to hear of your family medical issue. I totally realize this site is a bunch of very nice people who help if/when they can.

I figured I was headed to a reinstall so in a way it was good to just tackle it.

take care.