Windows Resource Protector can not start sfc /scannow.

Win 7 x64 Home Premium:
A/V full scan in Safe Mode: no infections, ever!
Ownership of all files (w/ few exceptions) are all Administrators.

CMD prompt (admin) run: sfc /scannow.
Instantly, CMD responds: Windows Resource Protector unable to start sfc....

First indication of trouble: Windows Update will not remember what it has downloaded; i.e. Windows 7 Security Update. It refuses to completely install Visual C++ 2008 Security Update : Error 0643

I don't want to have to re-install Windows 7 x64 Home Premium.

 

Yes! Any ideas what I can try next? I've followed Support.Microsoft.com's links to repair the Error Code(s) I've seen while attempting to install an update to NitroReader 2 (pdf program) and to repair Windows Update, to no avail.

Thanks in advance.

Bubba Euler

 

Nothing much to add here except I'm going through the exact same thing. Can't use System Restore successfully either. All started with some Visual Studio updates that failed. In my case I think I was running another installer while the updates were running (Java installer for Chrome); not sure if it corrupted something, but now when I try to run the Java installer again it says it can't proceed because something is stuck.