Windows Update Error 80240037 in New Windows 7 and 8.1 Computers

If you’ve just bought a new computer loaded with Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 with one of the Processors (CPU) mentioned below, note that Microsoft Updates will not be available for your system.

  • Intel seventh (7th)-generation “Intel Core” processor or a later generation
  • AMD seventh (7th)-generation (“Bristol Ridge”) processor or a later generation
  • Qualcomm “8996″ processor or a later generation

In Windows 7 and 8.1 systems having the above CPU, when you use Windows Update, the following message will appear.

Unsupported hardware

Your PC uses a processor that is designed for the latest version of Windows.
Because the processor is not supported together with the Windows version that you are currently using, your system will miss important security updates.

windows update error 80240037

Additionally, the following error message will be shown.

Windows could not search for new updates
An error occurred while checking for new updates for your computer.
Error(s) found:
Code 80240037 Windows Update encountered an unknown error.

Because of how this support policy is implemented, devices that run the following Windows versions and that have a seventh generation or later generation processor may no longer be able to scan or download updates through Windows Update or Microsoft Update:

Windows Server 2012 R2
Windows 8.1
Windows Server 2008 R2
Windows 7

Microsoft recommends that you upgrade Windows Server 2012 R2-based and Windows Server 2008 R2-based computers to Windows Server 2016, and Windows 8.1-based and Window 7-based computers to Windows 10 if those computers have a processor that is from any of the above generations.

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Bypass Microsoft’s Windows Update Block for Windows 7/8.1 for 7th Generation CPU

A developer has posted a method in his GitHub page to bypass the update block by Microsoft. It’s supposed to disable the “Unsupported Hardware” message in Windows Update allowing you to continue installing updates on Windows 7 and 8.1 systems with Intel Kaby Lake, AMD Ryzen, or other unsupported processors. I haven’t tested it personally. So you use it at your own risk.
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Ramesh Srinivasan is passionate about Microsoft technologies and he has been a consecutive ten-time recipient of the Microsoft Most Valuable Professional award in the Windows Shell/Desktop Experience category, from 2003 to 2012. He loves to troubleshoot and write about Windows. Ramesh founded Winhelponline.com in 2005.

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1 thought on “Windows Update Error 80240037 in New Windows 7 and 8.1 Computers”

  1. Good Morning.

    Thank you very much for your tips.

    I have a Core I5-9400F processor and this Microsoft control prevented me from updating.

    With Zeffy’s WUFUC it worked as soon as the installation was completed.

    Thank you for sharing.

    Reply

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