Error code 80070308 for all windows update

Question

Hi,
I'm unable to install any kind of update. The install finishes with the following message : Unknown error code 80070308.
My system info is as follows:
OS: win7 Pro 32-bit, downloaded from ms website
Processor: AMD Athlon XP2400+ @ 2.66 GHz
RAM: 1GB
I already saw this similar topic "VPC7 install failure: Prior to restart " but there is no solution.
Thanks !

Answer 1

Hi Deguich,
Generally, the Windows Update issue can be caused by one of the following factors:
1. The Windows Update service has been stopped.
2. Corrupted Windows Update Temporary folder.
In order to narrow down the cause of this issue and resolve it, I suggest you refer to the following steps. After finishing each step, you can check the result again.
NOTE: Some third party programs can affect the Windows Update service. If you are running any third party applications such as Spyblocker, Internet or web accelerators (programs designed to boost the speed of the Internet connection), security or anti-virus programs (Norton, McAfee, etc.), I recommend we temporarily disable or shut them down and then try accessing Windows Update later. Please understand that we are disabling these programs only for the purpose of troubleshooting and we can re-enable these programs after we finish troubleshooting.
Step 1: Verify the relevant Windows Update services
================================
1. Click the "Start" Button, in “Search" bar, type: "services.msc" (without quotes) and press Enter. If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
2. Double click the service "Windows Update".
3. Click on the "General" tab; make sure the "Startup Type" is "Automatic" or "Manual". Then please click the "Start" button under "Service Status" to start the service.
4. Please repeat the above steps with the "Background Intelligent Transfer Service" service.
You can also temporarily stop these services, restart the computer, and then start these services again. If any service is missing or cannot be stopped or restarted, please let me know.
Step 2: Rename the Windows Update Softwaredistribution folder
================================
This problem may occur if the Windows Update Software distribution folder has been corrupted. We can refer to the following steps to rename this folder. Please note that the folder will be re-created the next time we visit the Windows Update site.
1. Close all the open windows.
2. Click the "Start" Button, click "All programs", and click "Accessories".
3. Right-click "Command Prompt", and click "Run as administrator".
4. In "Administrator: Command Prompt" window, type in "net stop WuAuServ" (without the quotes) and press Enter.
Note: Please look at the cmd window and make sure it says that it was successfully stopped before we try to rename the folder. However, if it fails, please let me know before performing any further steps and include any error messages you may have received when it failed.
5. Click the Start Button, in the “Search" bar, type in "%windir%" (without the quotes) and press Enter.
6. In the opened folder, look for the folder named "SoftwareDistribution".
7. Right-click on the folder, select Rename and type "SDold" (without the quotes) to rename this folder.
8. While still in the "Administrator: Command Prompt" window, type the command "net start WuAuServ" (without the quotes) in the opened window to restart the Windows Updates service.
Note: Please look at the cmd window and make sure it says that it was successfully started. However, if it failed, please let me know before performing any further steps and include any error messages you may have received when it failed.
If the issue persists, would you please upload the following information to SkyDrive and provide us the link for analyzing?
How to capture a screenshot
================================
1. Press the Print Screen key (PrtScn) on your keyboard.
2. Click the "Start" Button, type "mspaint" in the Search Bar and Press Enter.
3. In the Paint program, click the "Edit" menu, click "Paste". Then click the "File" menu, and click "Save".
4. The "Save As" dialogue box will appear. Type a file name in the "File name:" box, for example: "screenshot".
5. Make sure "JPEG (*.JPG;*.JPEG;*.JPE;*.JFIF)" is selected in the "Save as type" box, click "Desktop" on the left pane and then click "Save".
How to collect the System Information
================================
The System Information can provide us with more information about the current status of the system. I would like to check it for you. Please send it to me using the following steps:
1. Click the "Start" Button, type "MSINFO32" in the Search Bar and press Enter to start System Information.
2. On the popup window, on the menu bar, click "File", and click "Save", type a file name and then choose NFO as "Save as type", click "Desktop" on the left pane, and click Save.
How to collect the WindowsUpdate.log file
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1. Click the "Start" Button, type "WindowsUpdate.log" (without the quotes) in the Search Bar and Press Enter. We will see a file named "WindowsUpdate.log"
2. Now click on the "File" menu and then click on the "Save As".
3. From the left panel, click "Desktop" and click the Save button.
Arthur Li - MSFT