Stop error when you try to download updates from Windows Update on a computer that is running Windows Vista: "0x80070246"

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SYMPTOMS

When you try to download updates from Windows Update on a computer that is running Windows Vista, you may receive the following Stop error message:

STOP 0x80070246
ERROR_ILLEGAL_CHARACTER

Additionally, the following entry may be logged in the WindowsUpdate.log file:

Automatic Updates Failure Content Install
		  Installation Failure: Windows failed to install the following update with error
		  0x80070246: "Name of Update"

Note The WindowsUpdate.log file is in the following location:

%Windir%\WindowsUpdate.log

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CAUSE

This problem occurs if the GlobalInstallOrder.xml file is corrupted. The GlobalInstallOrder.xml file is in the following location:

%Windir%\Winsxs\x86_microsoft-windows-servicingstack_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6000.16386_none_07289f4cca5f6990\GlobalInstallOrder.xml

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RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, replace the corrupted GlobalInstallOrder.xml file on the system with the same file from the Windows Vista installation media. To do this, follow these steps:

Obtain the WIM filter driver from the Windows Automated Installation Kit (Windows AIK). To download and install the Windows AIK, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=c7d4bc6d-15f3-4284-9123-679830d629f2&DisplayLang=en (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=c7d4bc6d-15f3-4284-9123-679830d629f2&DisplayLang=en)
Click Start, point to All Programs, click Microsoft Windows AIK, right-click Windows PE Tools Command Prompt, and then click Run as administrator.

If you are prompted for an administrator password, type the password. If you are prompted to continue, click Continue.
At the command prompt, type the following command, and then press ENTER.
MD c:\Mount
This command creates a folder that is named Mount.
Put the Windows Vista installation media in the CD or DVD drive.
At the command prompt, type the following command, and then press ENTER:
Imagex /mount DVDDriveLetter\sources\install.wim 1 \mount
At the command prompt, type the following command, and then press ENTER:
CD\mount\Windows\winsxs\x86_microsoft-windows-servicingstack_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6000.16386_none_07289f4cca5f6990
This command moves to the source folder
At the command prompt, type the following command, and then press ENTER:
xcopy GlobalInstallOrder.xml %windir%\winsxs\x86_microsoft-windows-servicingstack_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6000.16386_none_07289f4cca5f6990
This command copies the GlobalInstallOrder.xml file to the destination folder.

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MORE INFORMATION

For more information about how to use the Sfc.exe tool to replace the corrupted file, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

929833 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929833/ ) Some Windows Vista functions may not work, or Windows Vista may stop responding

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