Microsoft update KB967723 installation error

For days now Vista has been bugging me about an update that just would not install (KB967723).
Even if I would shutdown the machine, it would just try and fail.
And not simply fail... but give me an amazing error code (80070490) which to cut a long story short meant that some internal database of updates was corrupt and I had to repair installation from the Vista CD. What???? Over my dead body!

Can you see the big picture here? I was minding my own business and one more Digital Misfortune came my way uninvited. But don't get me wrong here. If there is ONE technological feat that I admire in this world that is Microsoft Update. I just can believe such a thing is working. One major screw up (or security breach) and millions of computers can become unusable; just the security requirements of this blew my mind away... So I forgive them some glitches.

Anyway, since I had to debug this issue, I thought I might as well write a couple of lines about it, so that other poor souls like me might get a better chance when searching for an answer.

By searching the net and reading other posts I found some people mentioning that in similar situations they downloaded the standalone installer for the update and surprisingly enough it installed without problems.
Now that should ring some bells...
It is a seemingly non-rational action but it often has results.
So I downloaded the standalone installer for KB967723 and bingo! It installed and problem solved :-)
Isn't digital life so sweet?

Have Fun!
Dimitris Staikos

Comments

[HaJo Kremer]

Superb! I had exactly the same problem and this trick resolved it.

Thank you very much

[mahir]

thank you so much.. i was searching for this issue and finally solved it with your help.. :) but i am not sure if i will not be warned by the same code at the next update.. :) lets hope not.. thank you once again..

[Jorge Zetache]

Thanks for this, I also solved the same problem with KB967723 with your observation and suggestin...Thank you

[Timothy Proksch]

I could have sworn I tried this first... it really sucks to get old. I noticed that the failed install all gave the name "Security Update for Windows Vista for x64-based Systems (KB967723)" and the successful update says simply "Security Update for Windows (KB967723)". Odd. Check out all the frustrated folks on the Microsoft blogs. e-gads. When I see endings that say "..hope this helps" I know the responder is hopeful, not knowledgeable. I use eset for virus scan and disabled it before the install. Works! Thanks Dimitris!

[chad del rosario]

thanks

[James Logan]

Great Solutions worked as a charm!!!
Thank you very much!

[Cecil]

Very nice. Thank you very much!

[Hugo]

Thanks, I solved the same issue for Windows Server 2008 64-bits
Direct link for that update:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=6E46822E-F79D-492D-AD01-EE680AD324F5&displaylang=en

[Danny Lowet]

Finally, thank you so much, this problem has cost me already so many hours and now it is finally solved. Good work Mr Staikos!

Danny Lowet

[Lance]

Got the same code error on Windows Server 2008 (80070490). I read in various places that an update installation was necessary which made me cringe. After downloading KB967723 and KB976098 for Windows Server 2008 x86 directly I was able to manually install them successfully.

[Andre]

Thanks a lot! worked for me too ... next time we know where to go!

[Brad]

More echoed thanks. Same problem was quickly resolved with this post. You have my permission to buy yourself a donut.

[Eugene Sheffield]

BruteForce, you are the best! This issue was really "bugging" me & your solution fixed the problem L&S (i.e. lickity split). Thanks again, esdogman

[Marcin]

Thanks a lot. it worked for me with Windows 2008 x64

[Cathy (in Portland Oregon)]

THANK YOU!!! What a service this is. You saved me so much time. Thanks again!!

[Philip]

Thanks for that....but Windows Update still thinks it hasnt applied it?

[--]

Worked great, thanks.

[Allen]

I wish I had seen this earlier. Would have saved a load of Microsofts misleading rubbish

[Tom]

Fantastic! It's also worked with other failed updates