I posted this so other people don't find themselves having the same issue (it will be be indexed by google) and to avoid the 1hr phone session with Microsoft.
(This is a different answer to their online database as the error message can mean different things.)
Issue: When installing Windows Update - an error message occurred 80240016 (failed: 74 priority Updates)
Computer: Windows Vista Ultimate
Cause: Sophos Antivirus (or similar antivirus software). Sophos quarantined 'c:\windows\system32\poqexec.exe' thinking it was a threat.
POQEXEX.exe: Primitive Operations Queue Executor (poqexec.exe) - http://forums.scotsnewsletter.com/lofiversion/index.php/t19722.html
Solution:
* Remove all USB boot devices (mainly external hard drives)
* Run command prompt and stop [temporarily] windows from updating
* Disable both Sophos and all Firewall so they cannot scan/block etc
* Run Microsoft update
UPDATE: Apparently it's good practice to remove firewalls/virus scanners before starting windows update.
(This is a different answer to their online database as the error message can mean different things.)
Issue: When installing Windows Update - an error message occurred 80240016 (failed: 74 priority Updates)
Computer: Windows Vista Ultimate
Cause: Sophos Antivirus (or similar antivirus software). Sophos quarantined 'c:\windows\system32\poqexec.exe' thinking it was a threat.
POQEXEX.exe: Primitive Operations Queue Executor (poqexec.exe) - http://forums.scotsnewsletter.com/lofiversion/index.php/t19722.html
Solution:
* Remove all USB boot devices (mainly external hard drives)
* Run command prompt and stop [temporarily] windows from updating
* Disable both Sophos and all Firewall so they cannot scan/block etc
* Run Microsoft update
UPDATE: Apparently it's good practice to remove firewalls/virus scanners before starting windows update.
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