Error: Windows could not check for updates automatically. (Important)

I keep getting this message from the Action center (Win7 Home Prem) - When I click on it to open it looks for Windows updates, if it finds any I can install no problem. After reboot, the message will appear again after a few minutes and tells me "Updates were installed: Never" but if I go to Update history it shows the current updates installed successfully. Using the troubleshooter it says: Windows Update error 0x80070005 but does not fix it. I have checked the services and reset the update settings, still get the error. The system has been scanned for Virus and malware (found some and cleaned). Any suggestion greatly appreciated!

Hi bdiblik & welcome to sevenforums.

Please follow Windows Update Posting Instructions

What scanners did you run?

What anti-virus, anti-malware programs do you have installed?

Post CheckSUR.log & CheckSUR.persist as well.

Auto tool to find and copy those to desktop attached.

If I can't resolve your issue, NoelDP certainly can.!

List of excellent scanners, for virus, rootkit, addware, nagware, pups, (free) I like free.
You should run them since you found something with your initial scan.

Malwarebytes

ADWCleaner

SuperAntiSpyware

HitmanPro choose x64 version

ASW.mbr

TDSS Killer

sfc /scannow - no issues
Malwarebytes - 1 issue removed
SuperAntiSpyware - 0 issues
MSE full scan - 12 issues - removed

Well, that's good news!

Still learning on your error code.

NoelDP is the expert.

I can try to help you. After I return from flu shot.

If you feel ambitions you can use search function upper right hand corner of screen, & search for your error code. Read posts by NoelDP.

Please post WindowsUpdate.log located at: C:\Windows

Hope issue is not corrupt hive! That's not repairable. Usually repair install from within Windows environment (choose Upgrade) is fix. No it won't delete your installed programs, files, folders, music, video, pictures, etc., it only replaces Windows.

If you need to do that, and NoelDP is the expert here, I have detailed instructions on how to obtain DVD if you don't have it, how to obtain Windows product key if you don't have it, how to burn ISO from Microsoft to DVD, plus links to excellent videos, on repair install and burning ISO to DVD. Everything is free to you (I like free).

Here is the log - Thanks! I did search/read about 80070005 but it seems to apply to other problems as well. The odd thing here is that every time the message pops up that it can not check automatically, I can click on check updates and install (if any new ones are there)

Does the bat file create a log or other output that I can post? The error remains after running the bat.

PS - If it is easier to do a repair, I am willing to give that a shot. Some more details on this system, which is not mine, I have created a cloned hard drive that I can experiment with. I have the Windows install disks. You say the programs and data will remain in tact?

Repair install is easy, takes time to complete & you then have 200 important updates & 13 to install when you boot. If you decide to do repair install, if you have 4 gig or RAM or less, only install 100 or so first time, if you don't you will most likely get out of memory error. Windows uses RAM to save updates until it can verify integrity. If you start Task Manager, click performance tab, you can watch RAM slowly fill. 8 gig or more you s should have no problem. Just in case you do decide to do repair install, which will definitely fix issue, you might end up with other minor issues, i.e. need to reinstall printer, turn windows media features off, reboot, turn back on. With Avast you will receive side-by-side configuration error. Control Panel>click Avast>Repair. When Avast starts background services will not be running (usually) open Avast click resolve all & wait a few. Good to go.

If you decide to do repair install, and machine doesn't have SP1 installed use comparability mode. To do that, right-click DVD choose>open click compatibility tab click compatibility checkbox and select Windows 7.

Here's info on repair install:

Repair Install by Shawn Brink great tutorial by the way

Britec Computer has a video on it Repair Install to Fix Windows 7 Without Reformatting

Brian is an awesome guy who believes most anyone can repair computer with a little knowledge on issue. I subscribe to his YouTube channel and watch most of his videos.

Don't fret, repair install will preserve all your installed programs, files, folder, music, video, pictures, etc. I do them all the time.

It saves a folder called Windows.Old, which, as the name implies, your system before repair install, you can revert to if attempted repair install fails (not very often) I've done 3 in the past few days.

After you run your repaired windows & everything is up and running to your satisfaction, you can delete the Windows.Old file. How to delete Windows.Old

Usually you will have minor issues.

For one, Avast will have a side-by-side configuration conflict.

How to solve, click Control Panel>Uninstall Programs>Avast>Change>Repair.

After Avast starts, background services failed to start. Open Avast Control Panel, choose>Repair All and wait a few minutes & Avast will be up and running.

Might have to uninstall and reinstall Adobe Flash if you try to run videos & they crash immediately. Had this issue on desktop.

Might have to delete printer & reinstall, choose new driver, (not use one that is installed (recommended))

Windows Media Player might not function.

Solution, open Turn Windows Features On or Off, click + along side Media Features, uncheck Windows Media Center & Windows Media Player. Reboot is required. Windows applies updates, restarts. Turn those features back on again.

Two things you will need:

1. Windows 7 x64 DVD or ISO file
2. Windows 25 character product key.

If you don't have DVD you can download ISO from Microsoft Download Center

You can't copy & past ISO (image file) with Windows copy & paste, you have to burn ISO disc. I use ImgBurn (free) I like free.

How to burn win7 ISO to disk with ImgBurn.

Download ImgBurn

If you don't have windows product key, it's in the registry in binary form (ones & zeros).

Run attached batch file. It will convert binary to alphanumeric and display it for you

I usually copy 5 characters, skip line on paper, copy 5 characters, etc. Then double/triple check that it matches. Easy to transpose characters or write C when it should have been G. (windows doesn't use A, 1 (one), or 0 (zero) in product key.

When doing repair install one screen offers Upgrade as option, that the one you want (it doesn't actually upgrade just reinstalls Windows 7)

If you are presented a choice of Windows i.e. (Starter, Basic, Home Premium, Professional, or Ultimate) choose the operating system you have. (it's called AIO (all-in-one). Every Windows 7 ISO or DVD has all versions installed, what controls whether it's a certain version is ei.cfg file, which you can uninstall in from the ISO, manually or with eicfg_removal_utility.zip

I ran the tool on my Win7x32 and Win7x64 discs to simplify the repair install, fresh install process.

If you need any additional help, please feel free to ask.