Microsoft KB Archive/921050

= Error message when you try to update a Windows XP-based computer: “0x80072EE4” =

Article ID: 921050

Article Last Modified on 10/5/2006

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
 * Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2
 * Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
 * Microsoft Windows Update
 * Microsoft Update

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Important This article contains information about how to modify the registry. Make sure to back up the registry before you modify it. Make sure that you know how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up, restore, and modify the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows registry



SYMPTOMS
When you try to download updates from the Microsoft Windows Update Web site or from the Microsoft Update Web site, the Web site may stop responding on a Microsoft Windows XP-based computer. Additionally, the resulting Web page reads &quot;Checking for latest version of Windows Update software.&quot; Also, a red X may appear adjacent to the update. In this case, you receive the following error code in an error message:

0x80072EE4

Note To view other error messages, click the red X that is adjacent to the failed update on the Review your update history Web page.



CAUSE
This problem occurs because of incorrect Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) settings or because certain Winsock registry keys are damaged or corrupted.



RESOLUTION
To resolve this problem, use the method that is appropriate for your operating system.

Windows XP with Service Pack 2 (SP2)
For computers that are running Windows XP with SP2 installed, follow these steps:
 * 1) Click Start, click Run, type cmd, and then click OK.
 * 2) Type netsh winsock reset, and then press ENTER.

Windows XP without SP2
Warning Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method. These problems might require that you reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved. Modify the registry at your own risk.

For computers that are running Windows XP without SP2 installed, follow these steps:  Delete the corrupted registry keys. To do this, follow these steps:  Click Start, click 'Run', type regedit and then click OK. Locate and then right-click the following registry subkeys, and then click Delete:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Winsock

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Winsock2

 Click Yes when you are prompted to confirm the deletion of each key.  Reinstall TCP/IP. To do this, follow these steps:  Click Start, select Run, type ncpa.cpl and then click OK.</li> Right-click the Internet connection, select Properties, and then click Install.</li> In the Select Network Component Type dialog box, select Protocol, and then click Add.</li> In the Select Network Protocol dialog box, click Have Disk.</li> In the Install From Disk dialog box, type C:\Windows\inf, and then click OK.</li> In the list of available protocols, select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), and then click OK.</li> Restart the computer.</li></ol> </li></ol>

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MORE INFORMATION
For more information about issues between SSL and the Windows Updates Web site, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

326253 You cannot view updates on the Windows Update site using secure socket layer

For more information about how to recover from Winsock2 corruption, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

811259 How to determine and recover from Winsock2 corruption

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