Run the System Updates Readiness Tool
1. Go to Microsoft’s website and download the System Update Readiness Tool. Locate your computer’s operating system and click on the “Download” link next to it.
2. Install System Update Readiness Tool by clicking “Open” (or “Run”) then clicking “OK” at each step to progress through the installation. Click “Close” when the dialogue box reads “Installation complete.”
3. Restart your computer. Attempt to download any updates interrupted by error message 80073712. If you still receive this error message, try installing Windows Service Pack 1.
Install Windows Service Pack 1
4. Go to Microsoft’s website and download Windows Vista Service Pack 1, which contains a fix for error message 80073712. Click the “Download” button. Please note that SP1 is a very large file (over 500 MB) and may require several hours to download.
5. Click “Save” and then select “Desktop” in the “Save To” option. Click "OK" to begin the download.
6. Run SP1 by double clicking the SP1 icon on your desktop. Click “Next” or “OK” to proceed through each step of the installation. Click “Finish” or “Close” to complete the installation.
7. Restart your computer. Attempt to download any updates interrupted by error message 80073712. If you still receive this error message, perform a repair installation.
Perform a Repair Installation
8. Restart your computer. Open your computer’s DVD drive and insert your Windows Vista DVD. Close the drive to let Windows automatically detect the DVD. Click “Go online to obtain the latest updates for installation” from the list of installation options.
9. Type your product key into the boxes provided. You can find your 25-digit Windows Vista product key on a sticker on the base of your laptop or on one of the sides of your desktop computer’s tower.
10. Read the licensing agreement and click “OK.” Then click “Upgrade” when asked “Which type of installation do you want?”
11. Restart your computer after it has finished downloading and installing all the updates. Attempt to download any updates interrupted by error message 80073712.