Windows Defender was unabl to complete the update: 0x8024400a

[Guest]

Good morning,

I've just installed Windows defender but am unable to update the virus
signatures. I have seen a knowledge base article saying that this might
because I am busy running a scan at the same time. This is not the case for
me.

Have also tried temporarily disabling the firewall. Other automatic updates
appear to be working normally.

Thanks

 

[Guest]

Hi Barry, this is the solution I found out after 3 days of research:
There is a serious bug in updating this beta software. First uninstall the
old defintions by clicking start then run and typing Msiexec /x
{A5CC2A09-E9D3-49EC-923D-03874BBD4C2C} (paste it in your box not to make
errors...). If you didn't try to install the new ones before putting your PC
off and turning it on, this should work. Next step is opening Windows
Defender and updating through the button check for updates in the about
section of the help. Let's hope the Microsoft team will solve the problem
with autoupdate and installing through it soon.
If you don't undrstand I posted the step in clearer form in Windows Defender
in Installation forum. Hope this will help the COMMUNITY! Good work!

 

[Bill Sanderson]

What happens?

Are you able to get Windows update, via WindowsUpdate and Autoupdate?

 

[Guest]

Is your computer located in company network with WSUS server, Windows Server
Update Services server? If yes, your PC will only get signature files from
WSUS, not Internet. You will have to configure WSUS first to get the
signature file for Windows Defender, allow the signature file be installed in
your PC, then your PC should be able to get the new signature file.

 

[Guest]

Hi Winspy,

Thank you for your help - unfortunately I'm not quite out of the woods yet.

I tried running that command from the command prompt and succesfully
uninstalled the signatures. I then went back to defender and used the button
to update the signatures. Again the error: "Windows Defender was unable to
complete the update : 0x8024400a"

I then completely uninstalled Defender using add/remove programs. I
installed a new version and unchecked the box which asks me if I want to get
new updates a run a scan. I ran your command again, then opened up Defender
and used the button to check for updates. I still got the same error message.

I-Jen, to answer your question I don't think that I'm on any special kind of
network. I'm on a home PC behind a firewall.

Any assistance greatly appreciated.
Barry

 

[Bill Sanderson]

Can you go through that process one more time--the uninstall/reinstall
process probably requires it once more--lets see whether it works this time.
You can see MS's version of it here:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/915105

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[Guest]

Hi Bill,

sorry about the delay - I don't get a chance to use my home PC that often.

I've tried your suggestion, and it removes my virus signatures (apparantly).

The difference betwen your suggestion and Winspy's suggestion is that you
asked me to update via the help option rather than just pressing the yellow
button to update the definitions.

Unfortunately, after all that, I still get the same error message.

Thanks anyway,
Barry

 

[Bill Sanderson]

Sorry we're not succeeding here.

You are getting the yellow button because you've never updated at all
(apparently.)

There are two routes to getting updates--auto-update (the options within
Windows Defender use the autoupdate process) and Windows (or Microsoft)
Update.

You might try the alternative if you have not: Go to Windows Update and see
whethe signature updates for Windows Defender are offered.

I believe I've seen a couple reports that when this method succeeded--later
updates came in fine via autoupdate.

--

 

[Guest]

Thank you for your persitance.

I have run windows update, and was able to update windows defender using the
button after that!

thanks again,
Barry

 

[Bill Sanderson]

Great--glad that worked!

 

[Guest]

I also had the this error this morning. Please be aware that performing a
Windows Update prompted the Defender software to then spontaneously update.
It would appear the this error means that your Windows OS needs updating.
Thank you Bill!

 

[Bill Sanderson]

Defender definition updates are available via Windows Update. And, I've
observed that going to WindowsUpdate will sometimes appear to trigger
AutoUpdate--which is the method that is used for updating within Windows
Defender.

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