Update Error 80070424 on Vista 64bit SP2

I get error 80070424 on my Vista 64 bit SP2 machine. None of the articles
I've found have helped. BITS is properly configured and regsvr32 wuaueng.dll
returns error 80070005

80070005 is an Access Denied message. The installed security software
(antivirus/security suite/3rd party firewall/popup/script/or cookie
blocker) is preventing the system from " Applicability evaluation for
setup package "

See if this thread helps:

<http://www.microsoft.com/communities/newsgroups/en-us/default.aspx?&lang=en&cr=US&guid=&sloc=en-us&dg=microsoft.public.windowsupdate&p=1&tid=c8e8c4ac-d205-4ab0-bfff-11562d5f2dc7&mid=c8e8c4ac-d205-4ab0-bfff-11562d5f2dc7>

What anti-virus application or security suite is installed and is your
subscription current? What anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)?
What third-party firewall (if any)?

Has a(another) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on this
machine (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you bought
it)?

[flygirlg]

I have decided to jump in on this thread.. I noticed the error today that it windows wont update.. I have exactly what Dan L has and did all the threads so far that I could find. To answer the questions above...
I have Avast antivirus
anti spyware i use defender, superantispyware, ad-aware, and spybot
I believe mcafee was installed when i first got the machine but I cant be certain - I see those installed and remove the programs