Windows Installed Updates Failed How to Try Again
This weekend, I fired up a Windows 10 VM prototype I hadn't used for a while. Because they are substantially just files, virtual machine images tend to sit down around, powered off, unless you need them. I utilise a standard Windows 10 starter template VM whenever I need a fresh machine. The template hadn't been updated in a while.
As is always the case when re-activating a VM, I ran Windows Update. Information technology made some progress, but so information technology failed. I tried Windows Update again. I got some other fail bulletin.
Oh no! It's failed again!
You can endeavour a bunch of tricks to set up updates when they fail. Fortunately, in my case, the very first tactic I used succeeded. I'll show y'all that, then I'll share with you some of the additional steps I would have taken if the update even so hadn't worked.
Make a backup
I know this should go without maxim, but I'm going to say it anyway. Make a backup. Before you go rummaging effectually in your organisation's innards, information technology's always expert to make sure you tin can recover your data.
Yes, I've skipped this step. Yes, it'due south hurt my soul. Larn from my mistakes. Brand a backup. Here are iii great articles by our ain Windows sensei, Ed Bott, that should assistance you fill-in before y'all become forward.
Ed Bott on Windows backups:
- Windows 10 tip: Create a full epitome fill-in using this hidden tool
- Windows x tip: Create a recovery bulldoze
- Windows ten tip: Plough on File History for automated backups
1. For VM users: Replace with a newer VM
I oftentimes have older VMs pre-configured with a lot of custom tweaks, installed applications, and other elements. Equally such, information technology's often rather time-consuming to outset from a fresh Windows image. Just if you're able to, rather than going through the try to update a version of Windows that was originally installed in 2022 or 2017, start with a fresh Windows paradigm that has the Oct 2022 update already installed.
2. Restart and try running Windows Update once more
In reviewing this post with Ed, he told me that the virtually common cause of those "Update failed" messages is that there are two updates waiting. If 1 is a servicing stack update, information technology has to install first, and the car has to restart before it can install the next update. Problem solved.
A good read on this is Liam Tung's piece, Windows update problems: Microsoft reveals why contempo patches broke some PCs. Fifty-fifty though it talks virtually some Windows 7 update issues, the underlying principle is the same.
iii. Try Windows Update Troubleshooter
Microsoft actually ships Windows 10 with a Windows Update troubleshooting tool. I find the easiest way to accomplish information technology is simply type "troubleshoot" in the search box.
Just type "troubleshoot".
Because I'm working on an older revision of Windows x, the screen in a higher place is shown. If your Windows 10 is from a more than contempo update, you'll come across the post-obit screen, which y'all can too attain by going to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshooting.
This is the more recent version of the Windows 10 troubleshooting interface.
This will bring up the full Troubleshooting panel. Y'all'll want to select "Ready problems with Windows Update." This volition bring up the Windows Update troubleshooter. I didn't feel I needed to employ Advanced options, then I merely hit Adjacent. That said, Ed recommends taking the extra infinitesimal and using Advanced Options. He says, "That runs the troubleshooter as an admin and allows it to set up a wider range of problems."
Let's solve some problems!
Subsequently a relatively short fourth dimension, Windows reported it had found and fixed the problem.
In that location'due south a dainty surprise. Information technology's fixed.
Of grade, it's never a good thought to merely take Windows' word for anything similar this, so I went back into Windows Update and ran it again.
Afterwards a few hours, I had my upshot. The update that previously failed had completed properly and my organisation was fully upwards to appointment.
Oh, now that'due south nice!
4. Interruption updates
Here's an interesting trick that's a big counter-intuitive. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and hit the Advanced Options button. Assuming yous're at a relatively recent version of Windows 10, y'all'll see this screen:
Pause updates clears the already-downloaded update cache.
Slide the Pause Updates switch on. Restart your machine. Then, once the machine is booted upward fully, go back to that screen and slide the Interruption Updates switch dorsum to Off.
If yous tell Windows to intermission updates, you'll clear all of the downloaded updates. Become ahead and try Windows Update over again. Hopefully information technology volition work. This is style easier (and less stressful) than deleting the SoftwareDistribution directory from your Windows directory, which is my next suggestion.
5. Delete the SoftwareDistribution directory
I have to say that this was a surprise. Most of the fourth dimension, when I've had difficulty getting Windows Update to work, information technology's taken hours or days, and I've had to jump through a bunch of hoops to get it washed.
If the troubleshooter doesn't work, a skilful first first is to simply clear abroad the old update files. To do this, starting time restart your car in Safe Mode. It is possible to clear the Windows Update files by stopping the Windows Update service, simply I've found it's simply a much more reliable experience to make certain nothing's running in the background, then I go straight for Rubber Manner.
Run Prophylactic Fashion.
From at that place, open up File Explorer, navigate to the Windows folder, and delete the folder chosen SoftwareDistribution.
If yous're non nervous doing this, you're non human.
Alternatively, you can type RMDIR /S/Q at a control prompt, which recurses throughout the unabridged subdirectory and deletes the advisable update files without requiring additional confirming prompts.
Breathe. Don't forget to breathe.
At this indicate, become ahead and restart your machine and endeavor the update once more. If y'all disabled the Windows Update service, think to plow information technology on earlier attempting your update.
half dozen. Download the latest feature update from Microsoft
If Windows Update is withal failing, you might desire to consider going to Microsoft to download the update direct. It's probably not a bad thought to bookmark the Download Windows 10 page on the Microsoft site.
If you're using Edge, y'all'll be able to download the update:
Make sure yous're using Edge to get the in-identify Update option.
Get ahead and completely download the update. I'd recommend hitting Save rather than Run, so that you have the update and can reapply it if you run into any snags.
Once it's downloaded, run the update image, and hopefully y'all'll exist all set.
7. Download the cumulative quality/security updates
The tactic above may work if there's a recent feature update (every bit there was in my case). But at that place are really two kinds of updates: characteristic and quality/security updates. Ed has a great explanation of the differences in this commodity. Ed explains that virtually "Update failed" letters are related to security/reliability updates.
For those, you have to go to the Microsoft Update Catalog, search using the KB number of the failed update, and download the correct standalone distribution package, then double-click to run information technology.
8. Run the Windows System File Checker
If all that fails, information technology might be time to run the Windows System File Checker. Here'south a key tip for those of you familiar with using SFC (System File Checker) in Windows 7 and earlier. At present, since Windows 8, yous'll demand to run a tool chosen DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) first.
Then let's begin with that. Showtime, open a command vanquish. Brand sure you right-click on the Control menu and run in elevated privilege mode.
You'll need the privs.
DISM is a pretty neat tool with a lot of capabilities
Ooh. Shiny.
Issue the command DISM /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth. This should help clean corruption amongst your system components. Give it a few minutes to run. Hopefully you'll have a successful outcome.
May the Force exist with you.
Once you've completed your DISM run, it's fourth dimension to fire off SFC. In that aforementioned elevated privilege command window, become alee and run SFC /scannow.
No, not the CBS that owns ZDNet. This time, CBS ways Component Based Servicing.
As information technology turned out, SFC did find some errors, which it repaired so wrote to the CBS (Component Based Servicing) log.
Once yous've run DISM and SFC, it's fourth dimension to reboot. Then, once once again, try Windows Update.
nine. If all else fails, repair your Windows installation
Hopefully, you're happily updating Windows by now. But if not, I have one more hammer left in my toolbox: repairing your Windows installation itself. Windows offers an in-place repair and upgrade as part of the installation process.
To take this concluding step, read Ed Bott's quick tip on how to make it happen.
10. Skip the update
Finally, it's worth mentioning that sometimes Microsoft ships problematic updates. You might only need to skip that update. I know, after all that pain, right? But it happens. Hither's an Ed tip on hiding problematic updates and moving on with your life.
Hopefully, one of these procedures is getting you lot dorsum on the style to an updated Windows. Permit me know how things worked out in the TalkBacks below.
You can follow my day-to-twenty-four hour period projection updates on social media. Be certain to follow me on Twitter at @DavidGewirtz, on Facebook at Facebook.com/DavidGewirtz, on Instagram at Instagram.com/DavidGewirtz, and on YouTube at YouTube.com/DavidGewirtzTV.
Previous and related coverage:
Windows 10 how-to: Ed Bott's free tech back up and troubleshooting guide
A curated list of the best sites for back up information almost Windows 10.
How to install, reinstall, upgrade and activate Windows 10
Here's everything you lot need to know before yous repair, reinstall, or upgrade Windows 10, including details most activation and product keys.
Which apps are draining your laptop's battery? Check Windows Task Director CNET
The venerable Task Managing director has a few new tricks.
ten apps to add features to Windows 10 TechRepublic
Hither'due south a selection of our favorite Windows 10 utilities.
Source: https://www.zdnet.com/article/windows-update-failed-here-are-10-fixes-you-can-try/
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