Windows Update not working on Vista Business

[System]

PC details: Dell Vostro_200 running Windows Vista Business 32-bit with Service Pack 2

Windows Update will not work with the following error when Check Updates is clicked "Windows Update cannot currently check for updates because the service is not running. You may need to restart your computer". Windows Defender is also not updating with
error 0xc8000222 - not sure if this is connected.

Going back to Windows Update:

• Checked that services are running and did restart, no luck
• Followed article to "reset windows update components" but it was unable to reregister some of the BITS files asking if they were valid DLL files or failed to load message. The files are: mshtml.dll, shdocvw.dll, browseui.dll, msxml.dll, gpkcsp.dll, sccbase.dll,
  slbcsp.dll, initpki.dll, wuaueng1.dll, wucltui.dll, wuweb.dll, qmgr.dll and muweb.dll
• Tried Microsoft Fix It but no luck either
• Restored PC to point before I noticed the updates weren't working but same issues
• Tried Windows Update Automated Troubleshooter which downloaded a DIAGCAB file but I am unable to open or run it
• Tried Fix It again and report says - Issues Found - Windows Update components must be repaired, one or more Windows Update components are configured incorrectly (Fixed) then Repair Windows Update components (Succeeded). Issues Checked - Default Windows
  Update data locations have changed, the location where Windows Update stores data has changed and must be repaired (Checked). Repair default Windows Updtae locations, change Windows Update locations to Windows default settings (Not Run)
• Ran System File Checker Tool which finished with Windows resource protection did not find any integrity violations
• Ran Windows Update standalone Installer KB947821 with error Installer encounted an error 0xc8000222 (same as Defender error)

Saw a post from PA Bear MS MVP who wanted to know the answers to the following questions so though it may save time if I answer them here:



Please answer each of the following [admittedly tedious] diagnostic questions in a correspondingly-numbered list in your very next reply (no need to quote this
post):

1a. When (approx. date) did you purchase the computer? July 2007

1b. Is it a Vista 32-bit or a Vista 64-bit computer? Vista 32-bit

2. What is the full name of your installed anti-virus application or security suite and when (approx. date) does your current subscription expire? What anti-spyware
applications (other than Defender) are installed? What third-party firewall (if any)?
McAfee Internet Security (free with Sky Broadband)

3. Has a(nother) Norton application or a McAfee application EVER been installed on the computer since you bought it?
I have always run McAfee on this PC

4. Did a Norton free-trial or a McAfee free-trial [pick one] come preinstalled on the computer when you bought it? (Doesn't matter if you never used or
Activated it.) It came with McAfee free trial

5. Assuming Vista SP2 is installed =&gt Are ALL of the following updates listed in Installed
Updates (notUpdate History)? [1] –
non of the updates listed below are in the Installed Updates

(a) KB2724197 [or KB2633171 if Vista 32-bit or KB2556532 if Vista
64-bit], KB2661254 &amp KB2749655
(b) KB2744842 [or KB2722913], KB2705219, KB2712808, KB2731847 and possibly KB2736233
(c) KB2698365, KB2691442, KB2655992 &amp KB2719985 [or possibly KB2721691]
(d) KB2685939, KB2658846, KB2659262, KB2660649, KB2676562, KB2688338 &amp KB2690533
(e) KB2393802 and especially KB971029.

6. If Windows Vista Service Pack 2 is listed in Installed Updates, when (exact date) was it installed according to Update History (this
time)? [2] December 2010

7a. Is Java Version 7 Update 9 (or higher) installed? TEST HERE USING INTERNET EXPLORER (ONLY!) =&gt http://java.com/en/download/installed.jsp[/COLOR]
- outcome: unable to verify if Java is currently installed

7b. Is Adobe Flash Player v11.4.402.287 (or higher) installed? TEST HERE USING INTERNET EXPLORER (ONLY!) =&gt http://www.adobe.com/software/flash/about/[/COLOR]
- outcome: v 11,6,602,180

8. Is Firefox, Chrome or any other alternate browser installed? Firefox and Chrome are installed

9. Have you ever had occasion to do a Repair Install or a clean install of Windows?
No but did a Restore yesterday

10. Are you in the habit of using "Registry cleaners" (e.g., Registry Mechanic System Mechanic RegCure RegClean Pro Advanced SystemCare Registry Booster McAfee QuickClean AVG PC TuneUp Norton Registry Cleaner PCTools Optimiser SpeedUpMyPC
PC Doctor TuneUp Utilities WinMaximizer WinSweeper Comodo System Cleaner Advanced System Optimizer CCleaner Registry Cleaner)?
When I got the latest version of McAfee I have been using their QuickClean facility


Hope this is enough information to help me with the problem as I have run out of ideas.

Thanks in advance.


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