Cannot install updates or Store apps, error code 0x80072F8F

I have a problem whereby I've not been able to install updates to Windows via the Settings app, nor install or update apps through the Microsoft Store for some time. The only updates I have installed have been the major (e.g. Creators') updates via the Update assistant. I'm running activated Windows 10 Home Version 1902 (OS Build 18362.356) (upgraded from Windows 8 which was pre-installed on my Asus N550JK laptop).

Whenever I try to install or update an app in the Microsoft Store, I receive error code 0x80072F8F.

Whenever I try to install an update through the Settings app, I receive a generic "Error encountered" message.

I understand this can be something to do with the clock settings not closely matching the update servers, and have tried the following things:

• Run Windows built-in update troubleshooter and the version available online (not sure they differ)
• Changed date/time settings in various permutations and synced with server
• Updated BIOS firmware and ensured BIOS time is also correct
• Ensured I don't have a proxy server set up
• Turned Windows Firewall off and tried again
• Re-installed Windows 10 from an ISO (maintaining apps and files)

This probably isn't exhaustive as I've had a go at fixing it every once in a while and have tried a bunch of random things a few times, but can't remember exactly the full list - these are the most recent failures though!

Any help anyone could provide would be much appreciated - this is driving me mad!

Thanks for the suggestion dalchina - this was actually something I had tried a while back that didn't work. I've just tried again to double check and afraid still no luck!

It's so up to date because a few weeks back I had a go at fixing it and did the Windows re-install via ISO which had the latest updates.

I've tried the recommended repairs 3, 4 and 16 as well as flushing and resetting the DNS cache - but still no success I'm afraid.

Nope, I'm not running any third-party anti-virus or firewall software.

The Windows Update troubleshooter reported the following problems, and fixed them. However, if I re-run the troubleshooter right after it claims to have fixed the problems, I get the same report again. Re-running Windows Update after running the troubleshooter results in the same generic error message.





I've changed my DNS to Google.

Tried the Windows Update reset.

And still no progress.

All this looks alright, except the SFC /SCANNOW command returned a note about there being some corrupt files - I have the log saved if (part of?) it would be useful?