Windows Update error 80072efd

I have CA Security Software firewall and the instruction for correcting this
update error says to add Windows update websites to a firewall exceptions
list. The problem is that in CA Security Firewall, it asks me to add to the
advanced application control list. I don't know what the name of the program
is. The website address looks nothing like the options coming up under the
application control list and when I select add, it asks me to select the file
to be added.

The name of the product you posted is not specific.
These are *specific* names of CA products: CA Personal Firewall, CA
Internet Security Suite, etc.

The executables involved for Vista are wuauclt.exe and wuapp.exe.
RPC can *not* be blocked by the firewall, as shown here:

Some firewalls may reject network traffic that originates from Windows
Server 2003 Service Pack 1-based or Windows Vista-based computers
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/899148

Suggest *not* doing any editing of the registry rather, visit CA's site
to learn how to allow RPC access.

i recently installed windows xp and now i am getting an error for defenders
update of 80072efd - i tried starting in safe mode, removing the "softwear
distribution" folder contents (that didn't work), i have been all over this
support site and none of the links i find to fix the problem open (i get an
internet cant open the web page error) - any ideas how to update defender and
get rid of this error???

also recently started getting an error upon start up of
rundll error loading C:\progra~1\mywebs~1\bar\.bin\m3plugin.dll
does this matter?? and any advise on how to stop this too?

Maybe you have a corrupted file.
This will probably not be your solution but it is easy and can't hurt to try.
Give this a try and see if it solves the problem................
Run SFC to see if any file from the OS has been delete or corrupt.

Go to Start > All Programs > Accessories and right-click
on the Command Prompt and choose "Run as administrator".
Type in: SFC /SCANNOW and press your Enter key.

Can you update Defender manually via
<http://www.microsoft.com/security/portal>
Look in the right side panel for a 32 bits

Next

I'd suggest calling Microsoft: 1-866-pcsafety assuming U.S. or Canada. If
elsewhere, you can call the nearest number for paid Microsoft support and
ask for the free help for security patch or malware issues.

[dawnyy]

right this is what worked for me. Download this bc://bt/QUEvTWFsd2FyZSBDbGVhbmluZyBEaXNjIHZlcnNpb24gMDkvMjUwMTQ0MTMyLzdlZDYyMjYyYzAzOTU4NWEyYTRkYTZmOTNlZDkw Mjk4YTU5NjVmNzAvWlo=
in there there is a free trial of trojon remover (you could just search for the trial online but im just telling you what worked for me) when yove downloaded that install trojan remover and run a scan. It will find trojan files. Then you should be able to do a windows update and then update your windows defender. Please let me know how you get on as this is my first post ever!

I have also suffered with the same problems posted here for monthsd and recently found an answer. I wanted to post this in as many places as possible, so I hope you don't mind me posting it here. Essentially, you will need to do the following:-

1) Open an elevated Command Prompt window – click the Vista Orb (Start button), type command prompt, right click the Command Prompt shortcut in the Program list and select Run As Administrator.

2) To display the current proxy setting of Windows Update, execute this command:
netsh winhttp show proxy

3) If the proxy server is shown in the “show proxy” result, then execute this command to disable the Windows Update proxy setting:
netsh winhttp reset proxy

[heyitsrobd]

I've been working on my friend's computer for a few hours trying to fix it up. He had viruses galore and I finally was able to delete them all. Then, his updates continued to fail. I tried all of Microsoft's suggestions as well as numerous other suggestions. None worked. I was close to giving up hope, but then tried what you said.