Windows 7: Fix broken Update (Error 0x80248015) 12/4/17

win7[German]Since December 4, 2017 the Update Search in Windows 7 (and Windows Server 2008 R2) has been broken. But Microsoft has provided already a fix. For those affected, I briefly document within this blog post what you should know and what you can do to fix the issue, if it's not repaired automatically – or if you lost some update options.


Advertising

The problem

Microsoft forgot the renew a file Windows\SoftwareDistribution\AuthCabs\authcab.cab in Windows 7 Update, that sets an expire date December 3, 2017. From December 4, 2017 the Update Search in Windows 7 (and Windows Server 2008 R2) failed (see screenshot below) with error 0x80248015.

Update-Fehler 0x80248015

Or Windows 7 refuses to search automatically for updates and shows the windows below.

Windows Update

Clicking Seach for updates ends with a notification, that the service could not be executed.


Advertising

Update-Dienst-Fehler

I've documented that issue within my blog post Windows 7: Error 0x80248015 in Update Search (Dec. 4, 2017)

Microsoft has a fix

Microsoft has released a fix for this problem, so the update search should work again. However, it is possible that users may have to make manual steps, to repair Windows Update search. Try to execute the following steps.

The screenshots are in German, but I guess, also users of other languages should be able to identify the right options. 

Update-Suche

1. Open Update search via control panel. The update search won't find anything, so click to the Hyperlink More information marked with a red arrow in the image above.

Note: It's important, that Internet Explorer 11 is the default browser. On my system it was Slimjet, which won't work. In this case launch IE 11 and enter this URL http://www.update.microsoft.com/windowsupdate/v6/ .

Windows Update ActiveX

2. Allow the installation of Windows Update Vista Web Control in IE 11 via the button Accept (or similar).

Update-Suche

If you start an update search, new updates should be detected (here a definition update for Microsoft Security Essentials). 

Some Update options are missing

I've posted a workarounds in my blog post Windows 7: Error 0x80248015 in Update Search (Dec. 4, 2017) to fix the update search. Just disabling the search for updates for other Microsoft products fixes the search.

Update-Einstellungen

But this workaround had the side effect, that the lower two options in Windows Update was missing afterward (see below).

Verschwundene Update-Optionen

To fix this issue, try the following steps. 

1. Open a browser and got to Microsoft's webseite for Silverlight and select the button to install Silverlight.

Silverlight Installer

2. Select the installer Install for Windows and download the Silverlight installer (here Silverlight_x64.exe).

Silverlight Sicherheitswarnung

3. Execute the Silverlight installer and confirm the security warning and user account control warning. 

Silverlight Bloatware-Installationsoptionen

4. Uncheck in the Silverlight install window the two options marked with red arrows and Click the Install button.

5. Check Microsoft Update activate checkbox and click Next.

This option causes the missing options in Windows Update to become visible again, because Silverlight needs them for its own updates.

Silverlight Installation abgeschlossen

As soon as the above message appears, exit the window via the close button. As soon as you call the update settings in the control panel, all options should be displayed again.

Update-Einstellungen

Select the option to search for Microsoft products. Then it's all back to normal, .

Silverlight deinstallieren

Afterwards, go to the Control Panel, select Uninstall program and in the Programs and Features window, uninstall the Microsoft Silverlight program.


Cookies helps to fund this blog: Cookie settings
Advertising


##1

This entry was posted in issue, Update, Windows and tagged , , . Bookmark the permalink.

3 Responses to Windows 7: Fix broken Update (Error 0x80248015) 12/4/17

  1. maria says:

    hi. thankyou your a life saver,yesterday I had a right go at Microsoft ive both windows 10 and 7 had nothing but trouble with 10.so I wanted to keep my 7 as its more reliable they wouldn't accept responsibility for the error code which I changed in settings and now ive downloaded the Silverlight and my windows 7 updates are now back on track.they were supposed to ring me back today and they havnt,i followed both your instructions and I thank you for leaving instructions that I found reasonably easy to follow,and I'm a pensioner so I thankyou again as Microsoft didn't help me and with them not keeping their word by not ringing me back I was in a mess.thanks again

  2. wyxchari says:

    I imagine that this patch is for those people who want to update without waiting for Microsoft to fix the problem of the renewal of "Windows \ SoftwareDistribution \ AuthCabs \ authcab.cab". Once Microsoft renews that file, nothing will have to be done to update, right?

  3. kat says:

    The new updated file that fixes the problem should be dated 12-4-2017.

    It's located in C: Windows>SoftwareDistribution>Authcabs>authcab>authorization

Leave a Reply to kat Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *