Windows Can't Check For Updates

For some reason, my computer will not check for updates. It is set to automatically check for updates, but now I am getting the message windows can't check for updates.
The error code is:
80096001

I recently got rid of a nasty virus and think it may have changed some settings. I am sure I have removed the virus, as I have ran multiple scans using the following:
Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2012
Microsoft Security Essentials
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
SUPER Anti-Spyware
Spyware Doctor
Spy-Bot Search and Destroy

Currently, I only have Kaspersky and Malwarebytes running on the computer, so I don't think they are compromising each other.

I have tried:
system restore (all available times)
Turning off real-time protection during updates
Uninstalling previous updates
Downloading in Safe Mode
Reset Internet Settings
Even created another user on computer (I read somewhere that might help)

Computer Information:
Vostro 1520
Windows Vista Home Premium (Service Pack 2)
32-bit Operating System
Internet Explorer 9

This has been bugging me for a while and would really like to get it fixed. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.
-Ty

I would try MS FixIt, Windows Updates .

Louis

Ok, I tried that and selected the recommended setting. This is what it shows:
Issues found
Windows Update components must be repaired Fixed
One or more Windows Update components are configured incorrectly
Repair Windows Update components Succeeded

Issues checked
Default Windows Update data locations have changed Checked
The location where Windows Update stores data has changed and must be
repaired

On the last step, it shows that "No Problems Need Attention".
Finished the Fix-It and still no luck. Tried to update again and still getting the error
Code 80096001

FWIW: http://www.vistax64.com/windows-updates/274401-windows-update-error-code-80096001-a.html

Louis

OK, I tried all three steps suggested in the article and still get the same error.

I have no more guesses that merit stating.

You can peruse the Google links related to your situation, but I don't think that you will find a definitive answer...I did not.

Louis

Well, thanks for trying. If anybody else has ideas as to how to solve this, please post your advice..

Tried to update again and still getting the error Code 80096001

Re: Vista updates problem after infection

gringo_pr has stated:

About windows update - this is something I have spent many hours now looking for the answer and the only one I have found seems to be an in place upgrade - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2255099

Open Notepad and copy the text below into it and save it to your desktop call it updatefix.reg then right click it and select merge Reboot your machine and then,fo here and set your services back to default select your correct os and download and unzip the file to your desktop Right click and select Merge
http://www.blackviper.com/2009/12/07/windows-vista-sp2-services-registry-files/ Reboot your machine.


run sfc /scannow
http://www.vistax64.com/crashes-debugging/293687-sfc-scannow.html then reboot your machine and visit windows update.
http://www.update.microsoft.com/windowsupdate/v6/thanks.aspx?ln=en&&thankspage=5

Please create a restore point prior to doing this,standard for any registry adjustments,
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/76332-system-restore-point-create.html


Start copying below the line.
_________________________________________________________________


Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\wuauserv]
"PreshutdownTimeout"=dword:036ee800
"DisplayName"="Windows Update"
"ImagePath"=hex(2):25,00,73,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,72,00,6f,00,6f,00,\
74,00,25,00,5c,00,73,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,33,00,32,00,5c,00,73,\
00,76,00,63,00,68,00,6f,00,73,00,74,00,2e,00,65,00,78,00,65,00,20,00,2d,00,\
6b,00,20,00,6e,00,65,00,74,00,73,00,76,00,63,00,73,00,00,00
"Description"="Enables the detection, download, and installation of updates for Windows and other programs. If this service is disabled, users of this computer will not be able to use Windows Update or its automatic updating feature, and programs will not be able to use the Windows Update Agent (WUA) API."
"ObjectName"="LocalSystem"
"ErrorControl"=dword:00000001
"Start"=dword:00000002
"DelayedAutoStart"=dword:00000001
"Type"=dword:00000020
"DependOnService"=hex(7):72,00,70,00,63,00,73,00,73,00,00,00,00,00
"ServiceSidType"=dword:00000001
"RequiredPrivileges"=hex(7):53,00,65,00,41,00,75,00,64,00,69,00,74,00,50,00,72,\
00,69,00,76,00,69,00,6c,00,65,00,67,00,65,00,00,00,53,00,65,00,43,00,72,00,\
65,00,61,00,74,00,65,00,47,00,6c,00,6f,00,62,00,61,00,6c,00,50,00,72,00,69,\
00,76,00,69,00,6c,00,65,00,67,00,65,00,00,00,53,00,65,00,43,00,72,00,65,00,\
61,00,74,00,65,00,50,00,61,00,67,00,65,00,46,00,69,00,6c,00,65,00,50,00,72,\
00,69,00,76,00,69,00,6c,00,65,00,67,00,65,00,00,00,53,00,65,00,54,00,63,00,\
62,00,50,00,72,00,69,00,76,00,69,00,6c,00,65,00,67,00,65,00,00,00,53,00,65,\
00,41,00,73,00,73,00,69,00,67,00,6e,00,50,00,72,00,69,00,6d,00,61,00,72,00,\
79,00,54,00,6f,00,6b,00,65,00,6e,00,50,00,72,00,69,00,76,00,69,00,6c,00,65,\
00,67,00,65,00,00,00,53,00,65,00,49,00,6d,00,70,00,65,00,72,00,73,00,6f,00,\
6e,00,61,00,74,00,65,00,50,00,72,00,69,00,76,00,69,00,6c,00,65,00,67,00,65,\
00,00,00,53,00,65,00,49,00,6e,00,63,00,72,00,65,00,61,00,73,00,65,00,51,00,\
75,00,6f,00,74,00,61,00,50,00,72,00,69,00,76,00,69,00,6c,00,65,00,67,00,65,\
00,00,00,00,00
"FailureActions"=hex:80,51,01,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,03,00,00,00,14,00,00,\
00,01,00,00,00,60,ea,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\wuauserv\Parameters]
"ServiceDll"=hex(2):43,00,3a,00,5c,00,57,00,69,00,6e,00,64,00,6f,00,77,00,73,\
00,5c,00,73,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,33,00,32,00,5c,00,77,00,75,00,\
61,00,75,00,65,00,6e,00,67,00,2e,00,64,00,6c,00,6c,00,00,00
"ServiceMain"="WUServiceMain"
"ServiceDllUnloadOnStop"=dword:00000001

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\wuauserv\Security]
"Security"=hex:01,00,14,80,78,00,00,00,84,00,00,00,14,00,00,00,30,00,00,00,02,\
00,1c,00,01,00,00,00,02,80,14,00,ff,00,0f,00,01,01,00,00,00,00,00,01,00,00,\
00,00,02,00,48,00,03,00,00,00,00,00,14,00,9d,00,02,00,01,01,00,00,00,00,00,\
05,0b,00,00,00,00,00,18,00,ff,01,0f,00,01,02,00,00,00,00,00,05,20,00,00,00,\
20,02,00,00,00,00,14,00,ff,01,0f,00,01,01,00,00,00,00,00,05,12,00,00,00,01,\
01,00,00,00,00,00,05,12,00,00,00,01,01,00,00,00,00,00,05,12,00,00,00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\wuauserv\Enum]
"0"="Root\\LEGACY_WUAUSERV\\0000"
"Count"=dword:00000001
"NextInstance"=dword:00000001

I tried the registry entry on on a PC with the same windows issues. And did not have any luck.

After the registry fix has been run the please do the following.


Download Windows Repair (all in one) from this site
http://majorgeeks.com/Tweaking.com_-_Windows_Repair_d7141.html

Install the programme then run

Go to step 2 and allow it to run Disc check


Once that is done then go to step 3 and allow it to run SFC



On the start repairs tab select advanced mode and click start


Select the items shown ticked,run it after the reboot then try again,to get updates.
[attachment=120515:updates.jpeg]

After following the advice given by InadequateInfirmity, the problem is now solved. I can now run windows update without any problems. Thank you InadequateInfirmity.

No problem. Glad to have helped Also really glad you posted back and let us know the results. Have a great day.

I too followed the instructions of InadequateInfirmity, it worked for me too.