Windows Vista Update

Solution for "Windows could not search for new updates".

by Gilbert
(UK)

Windows update stopped working toward the end of April.
Produces the message "Windows could not search for new updates" with error code 80070490.
Have gone through long performance sending and receiving emails to Windows Support without a workable solution suggested.
Finally received call from Windows Support Technician who after taking over control my computer for about half an hour, decided the only way out is to restore it to factory setting.
Anyone who's done this knows it is a time consuming pain in the neck and to be treated as a last resort.
Wouldn't mind doing it if I could be absolutely certain the same problem would not reappear.
One would expect that as Microsoft are certainly aware of this problem ( there are hundreds of posts on the web about it ) they would do something about it.
There is a knowledge base item relating to the problem ( http://support.microsoft.com/search/default.aspx?query=0x80070490&catalog=LCID%3D2057&pd=&spid=6527&mode=r&lsc=0 ) that says "
The Search service is currently not available. We are aware of this issue and are working to resolve it as quickly as possible. Please try one of the following options for assistance "
Is there a solution from anyone?