Attempting to run Windows update on a Windows 7 desktop fails with the error code 80248015

Problem

You attempt to run Windows updates on a Windows 7 desktop but notice that it fails with the following message:

Windows could not search for new updates

An error occurred while checking for new updates for your computer.

Error(s) found:

Code 80248015

Windows Update encountered an unknown error.

Solution

One of the ways to correct this issue is to navigate to the Windows directory and rename the SoftwareDistribution folder so that it would get recreated. 

C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution

Restart the desktop once the folder has been renamed and Windows update should now work as expected: