Many Windows Updates fail to install.

Original Title: Failed Installation of Windows Upgrades____

I just bought a new HP p6520f Windows 7 Home Premium PC just 5 days ago. However, when I try to install Windows Updates (several listed as Important, the bulk of all upgrade fail to install. I have tried all of the troubleshooting option without success. I would appreciate help in solving this perplexing problem.

Tony — *** Email address is removed for privacy ***

1. Do you get any error message while installing the Windows Updates?
2. What are the troubleshooting steps that you have already tried?

Method 1.
If your computer is having problems finding and installing operating system updates, try using the Windows Update troubleshooter to fix the problem. It makes sure that your computer is connected to the Internet, and checks to see whether your network adapter and Windows Update services are running correctly.
Refer to the article below for steps and additional information.
Open the Windows Update troubleshooter
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Open-the-Windows-Update-troubleshooter

Method 2.
Also you may refer to the article below for some more methods.
Troubleshoot problems with installing updates
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Troubleshoot-problems-with-installing-updates

Method 3.

Hope to hear back from you soon!

Thanks and Regards:
Shekhar S — Microsoft Support.

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Windows Update fails to install or will not download in Windows 10

Sometimes, some Windows Update fails to download, or just refuse to get installed on your computer even when you try a couple of times. If you face this problem where Windows Updates will not install or download, then this tutorial will help you identify and troubleshoot the problem.

Windows Update failed to install

If Windows Update fails to install, is not working, updates will not download or keep failing, on your Windows 10/8/7 then these suggestions will help you troubleshoot & fix Windows Updates.

1. Try again
2. Delete Temporary Files and Browser Cache
3. Disable your Firewall and Anti-virus software
4. Run SFC and DISM
5. Run Windows Update Troubleshooter
6. Manually Reset Windows Update Components to default
7. Use FixWU
8. Flush the SoftwareDistribution Folder
9. Reset the Catroot folder
10. Check Windows Update Services status
11. Check Windows Update log file
12. Clear pending.xml file
13. Clear the BITS queue
14. Delete incorrect Registry values
15. Run Windows Module Installer
16. Run Background Intelligent Transfer Service Troubleshooter
17. Download its stand-alone installer
18. Run Windows Update in Clean Boot State
19. Take the help of Microsoft Virtual Agent
20. Contact Microsoft Support.

Let us see all these potential fixes in detail. Do create a system restore point first. Go through the entire post and then see which of these may apply to your system. You may then try any of these, in no particular order.

1] Try again

As mentioned earlier, many times, an update may fail to install in the first instance, but for some inexplicable reason, succeeds in the 2nd or 3rd try. So try a couple of times.

2] Delete Temporary Files and Browser Cache

If you are unable to install Windows Updates, first clear up your Temporary Files and Browser Cache, reboot, and try again. See if this helps resolve the issue. Best and easy to use the built-in Disk Cleanup utility or CCleaner.

3] Disable your Firewall and Anti-virus software

Temporarily Disable your Firewall and Anti-virus software and try again. Here is a list of Windows files and folders you may exclude from Antivirus scans.

4] Run SFC and DISM

Run System File Checker to replace potentially corrupted system files.

You can also fix corrupted Windows Update system files using DISM Tool. The Dism.exe tool can be used in different situations, and one of them is to repair a corrupted Windows Update files. Do note that you need to run a different command if you want to repair corrupted Windows Update System Files. If you run the usual /RestoreHealth command, it may not necessarily help.

DISM will replace potentially corrupted or missing system files with good ones. However, if your Windows Update client is already broken, you will be prompted to use a running Windows installation as the repair source or use a Windows side-by-side folder from a network share, as the source of the files.

You will then be required to run the following command instead:

Here you have to replace the C:\RepairSource\Windows placeholder with the location of your repair source.

Once the process is complete, DISM will create a log file in %windir%/Logs/CBS/CBS.log and capture any issues that the tool finds or fixes.

These can help fix problems that might prevent Windows Updates from installing.

5] Run Windows Update Troubleshooter

Use the Windows Update Troubleshooter from Microsoft. It resets Windows Updates settings to defaults. You may also run the Online Windows Troubleshooter from Microsoft.

6] Manually Reset Windows Update Components to default

7] Use FixWU

Use our Fix WU tool and see if it helps. It re-registers all the dll , ocx , and ax files required for the proper functioning of Windows Updates.

8] Flush the Software Distribution Folder

Flush the SoftwareDistribution Folder. Run Command Prompt as administrator. In the CMD box that appears on the computer screen, enter the following strings of text, one at a time, and hit Enter.

Now browse to the C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution folder and delete all the files and folders inside.

If the files are in use, restart your device. After rebooting, run the commands above again. Your Windows Store App needs to be closed, by the way, so do not start it.

Now you will be able to delete the files from the mentioned Software Distribution folder. Now in the Command Prompt windows, type the following commands one at a time, and hit Enter:

Reboot. If you are using Windows Update, try using Microsoft Updates or vice versa.

9] Reset the Catroot folder

Reset the Catroot folder and see. To reset the catroot2 folder do this:

Open an elevated Command Prompt, type the following command one after the other and hit Enter:

Next, delete all the contents of the catroot2 folder.

Having done this, in the CMD windows, type the following and hit Enter:

Your catroot folder will be reset, once you start Windows Update again.

10] Check Windows Update Services status

The default configuration on a standalone Windows 10 PC is as follows:

• Windows Update Service – Manual (Triggered)
• Windows Update Medic Services – Manual
• Cryptographic Services – Automatic
• Background Intelligent Transfer Service – Manual
• DCOM Server Process Launcher – Automatic
• RPC Endpoint Mapper – Automatic
• Windows Installer – Manual.

This will ensure that the required Services are available.

Apart from the direct service, you should find the dependencies of Windows Update service and ensure if they are running or not.

To get started, search for “services” in the Taskbar search box and click on the search result. After opening the Services window, find out Windows Update, DCOM Server Process Launcher, and RPC Endpoint Mapper. Check if they are running or not.

If not, you need to start those services one after one.

11] Check Windows Update log file

If still, you have a problem then, go to C:\Windows\WindowsUpdate.log and look for the most recent entry. This will be present towards the end of the log. Any failed updates will have error code/s written next to them. Note them down. If you find just too many entries too confusing delete this WindowsUpdate.log and try installing the problematic updates again.

Now open the newly re-created WindowsUpdate log file and have a look at its contents.

The warnings will probably appear as -: WARNING: Failed to find updates with error code XXXXXXXX.

Now Right-click Computer > Manage > Event Viewer > Applications and Service Logs > Microsoft > Windows > WindowsUpdateClient > Operational . Check out for any Critical Message or Warning.

Next, refer to the Windows Update Error Codes. This will give you the direction in which you may have to look for the solution. You may also search for the Windows Update error code here and see if a specific solution is available.

12] Clear pending.xml file

Open an elevated command prompt windows, type the following and hit Enter:

This will rename pending.xml file to pending.old. Now try again.

13] Clear the BITS queue

Clear the BITS queue of any current jobs. To do this, type the following in an elevated CMD and hit Enter:

14] Delete incorrect Registry values

Open Registry Editor and navigate to the following key:

Right-click COMPONENTS. Now in the right-pane, delete the following if they exist:

• PendingXmlIdentifier
• NextQueueEntryIndex
• AdvancedInstallersNeedResolving

Restart your computer and try again.

15] Run Windows Module Installer

The Windows Module Installer is a built-in Windows 10 service. It lets you fix the Windows updates which are stuck.

To use this, open a command prompt with admin privileges.

Type the following and hit Enter:

Once successfully executed, you should see [SC] ChangeServiceConfig SUCCESS display within the Command Prompt console.

Exit the command prompt, and check if the buttons are back to normal.

16] Run Background Intelligent Transfer Service Troubleshooter

Run the Background Intelligent Transfer Service Troubleshooter and see if it helps. Background Intelligent Transfer Service or BITS helps in the transfer, download or upload of files between a client and server, and provides progress information related to the transfers. It also plays a role in the download of files from a peer. This Windows Service is essential for Windows Updates to work properly.

17] Download its stand-alone installer

Search on the Microsoft Update Catalog website for the Windows Update patch using the Update KB number, and download its stand-alone installer. Now apply the patch manually. Search for just the number; don’t include KB.

18] Run Windows Update in Clean Boot State

Boot in Clean Boot State and run Windows Update and see if this helps. It works in most cases.

19] Take the help of Microsoft Virtual Agent

If you’re getting an error downloading or installing Windows Updates, you could also take the help of Microsoft Virtual Agent, by clicking here.

20] Contact Microsoft Support

If nothing helps, you can always contact Microsoft Support. They will surely be able to help you.

We hope something here has helped you fix your Windows Updates issues.

Windows 10 Updates Fail 0xe0000003

Both the March and April cumulative updates for Windows 10 Version 1909 for x64 based Systems have failed to install on my Dell E7470 laptop with error code 0xe0000003. I can’t find any information on this code or how to resolve the issue.

Replies (8) 

I’m your Independent Advisor for today. I know this can be frustrating, but don’t worry. I’m here to figure this out for you.

There are many causes to consider when working with Windows Updates, and we need to pinpoint which is causing the problem.

It’s possible that a certain app might be causing problem with installing Windows Updates. Please start the PC in a clean boot state to check if there are other background apps which might be causing the issue:

1. Right-click the Windows button > Select Run
2. Type in «msconfig» without the quotes, then click OK.
3. On the General tab, select Selective Startup. Then untick «Load startup items».
4. On the Services tab, click «Hide all Microsoft services».
5. Click «Disable all».
6. On the Startup tab, click «Open Task Manager». A Task Manager window should open.
7. Disable all startup items. You can also choose which startup items to disable, as certain apps and devices might not work properly if the startup item related to it is disabled.
8. Go back to your System Configuration window.
9. Click Apply > OK
10. Click «Restart» when prompted.

Once the PC goes back up, please try to install updates again.

If that doesn’t work, you can try renaming the software distribution folders:
1. In the search box on your taskbar, search for cmd
2. Select Command Prompt (with the option Run as Administrator) from the results.
3. At the Command Prompt, type the following commands one at a time. After each, select Enter. Let the command complete before typing the next command.

net stop wuauserv

ren %systemroot%\softwaredistribution softwaredistribution.bak

ren %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 catroot2.bak

net start wuauserv

4. Once done, close the Command Prompt window and restart your computer, then try installing the updates.

Why do all Windows Updates fail to install?

Every update that I receive will download but will fail to install. It doesn’t matter if it is through Windows Update, java or any other updates that are received.

Absolutely all updates fail during installation, they seem like they try to install and then suddenly fail !

My software is getting way behind and I’m worried about the safety of my computer.

Any step-by-step assistance would be very much appreciated.

Replies (3) 

Please answer each of the following diagnostic questions in a correspondingly-numbered list in your very next reply (no need to quote this post):

1. What is the full name of your installed anti-virus application or security suite and when (approx. date) does your current subscription expire? What anti-spyware applications (other than Defender) are installed? What third-party firewall (if any)?

2. Has a(nother) Norton application or a McAfee application EVER been installed on the computer?

3. Did a Norton free-trial or a McAfee free-trial [pick one] come preinstalled on the computer when you bought it? (Doesn’t matter if you never used or Activated it.)

4. Open Add/Remove Programs & make sure the Show Updates box at the top is checked (and leave it checked); then select the Name option in the Sort by box on the right. Now scroll down & tell me if ALL of the following updates are listed?

• KB2660465, KB2661637, KB2647516 [or KB2618444]; KB2598479, KB2631813, KB2585542; KB2633171, KB2618451 & KB971029

Most will be displayed as Security Update for Windows XP followed by the KB number in parentheses.

If IE8 is installed, one will be displayed as Security Update for Windows Internet Explorer 8 followed by the KB number in parentheses.

5. Is Firefox, Chrome or any other alternate browser installed?

6. Are you in the habit of using «Registry cleaners» (e.g., Registry Mechanic; System Mechanic; RegCure; RegClean Pro; Advanced SystemCare; AVG PC TuneUp; Norton Registry Cleaner; PCTools Optimiser; SpeedUpMyPC; CCleaner)?

7. Have you ever had occasion to do a Repair Install (or a clean install) of WinXP for any reason?

Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
Microsoft MVP (Windows Client) since October 2002