Troubleshoot problems updating Windows 10

In Windows 10, you decide when and how to get the latest updates to keep your device running smoothly and securely. This article will help you answer questions and troubleshoot common problems with your Windows 10 update.

If you’re looking for info on how to activate Windows 10 or to verify that your installation of Windows 10 is activated, see Activate Windows 10.

Have issues installing Windows updates? Start here.

Your device may not be able to update to the latest version of Windows 10 for a few reasons. The following tips can help you pinpoint the issue affecting your device.

Before you begin, make sure your device is plugged into a power source and connected to the internet. Then, try the steps listed below to get your PC to update.

Some updates require administrator access. If your account doesn’t have administrator access, see Create a local user or administrator account in Windows 10. Or if someone else at home or in your office has an administrator account on your device, try asking them to install the updates.

Before trying any of the solutions below, make sure you back up your personal files. You can use File History to back up your files to another drive, or insert a USB drive and use File Explorer to drag and copy important files to the USB drive. If you’re signing into Windows with a Microsoft account, your system settings will be automatically restored after updating, once you’re connected to the internet.

You can also back up your files with OneDrive. For more info, go to Back up your Documents, Pictures, and Desktop folders with OneDrive.

Make sure that your device has enough space. Your device requires at least 16 GB of free space to upgrade a 32-bit OS, or 20 GB for a 64-bit OS. If your device has a small hard drive, you may need to insert a USB drive to update it.

If your PC is running low on storage, try the techniques at Free up drive space in Windows 10.

Many updates require you to restart your device. Save your work and close all open applications. Then, select Start > Power , and select either Update and restart or Update and shut down.

Even if you have downloaded some updates, there may be more available. After trying the preceding steps, run Windows Update again by selecting Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for updates. Download and install any new updates.

Remove any external storage devices and drives, docks, and other hardware plugged into your device that aren’t needed for basic functionality. Then try to run updates again and see if this resolved your issue. If it didn’t, continue to the next tip.

If you’ve added hardware to your device, check for third-party driver updates and installation instructions on the hardware manufacturer’s website. Update any drivers, then try to run updates again and see if this resolved your issue. If it didn’t, continue to the next tip.

In the search box on the taskbar, type device manager, then select Device Manager from the list of results.

In the window that appears, look for any device with a yellow exclamation mark next to it. (You may have to select each category to view the list of devices.) Select the device name.

Select Action, and then choose either Update driver or Uninstall to correct the errors.

Common troubleshooting questions

If you are receiving an error message with a specific error code, try running the Windows Update Troubleshooter. If that doesn’t resolve the issue, see Fix Windows Update errors and follow the instructions to help resolve common update issues.

The time required to download and install updates depends on connection speed, network settings, and the size of the update. If the installation remains stuck at the same percentage, try checking for updates again or running the Windows Update Troubleshooter.

To check for updates, select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for updates.

To get help, in the search box on the task bar, type get help, then select Get Help from the list of results. To leave feedback if you run into further problems, in the search box on the taskbar, type feedback hub, then select Feedback Hub from the list of results.

Windows 10 is the most secure Windows ever, and we recommend you stay updated to protect your PC from security risks and to keep it running smoothly. However, you can temporarily pause updates as well as schedule a restart to install updates at a time that’s convenient for you.
Learn how to temporarily pause updates
Find out how to schedule a restart to install updates at a convenient time

You will only receive a notification when it’s time to restart your computer to apply the installed updates.

If you need to know where you left off in your work after an update, use Timeline to jump back in.

To get started with Timeline, select Task View on the taskbar, or press the Windows logo key +Tab and select the activity you want to resume.

Monthly quality updates on Windows 10 are quite small and have a minimal impact on data usage. Feature updates typically happen twice per year, and you can control when to install them. They require more data but are less frequent.

If you’re on a metered connection, some updates for Windows won’t be installed automatically. Metered connections in Windows 10

Your computer might be slow for a number of reasons, but updating to the latest version of Windows 10 can improve its performance. For help with a slow computer, see Tips to improve PC performance in Windows 10.

If you’re having trouble finding your files after an upgrade, see Find lost files after the upgrade to Windows 10 for other things to try.

Warning: Microsoft only recommends trying the procedures in this section if you’re comfortable working in the command line. These procedures require administrator permissions on your device.

In the search box on the taskbar, type command prompt, then select Run as administrator from the list of options. Select Yes. Next, in the window that appears, type the following commands one at a time, including the spaces as shown. After you type each command, press Enter. Then let each command complete before you type the next command.

net stop wuauserv

ren %systemroot%\softwaredistribution softwaredistribution.bak

ren %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 catroot2.bak

net start wuauserv

After all these commands are completed, close the Command Prompt window and restart your computer.

In some instances, third-party antivirus or security software can cause errors when you try to update to the latest version of Windows 10. You can temporarily uninstall this software, update your PC, and then reinstall the software after your device is up to date. We recommend using third-party antivirus or security software that’s compatible with the latest version of Windows 10. You can check compatibility by visiting the software manufacturer’s website.

Note: Before uninstalling software, make sure you know how to reinstall your programs and that you have any necessary product keys.

In the search box on the taskbar, type command prompt, and then select Run as administrator from the list of options. Select Yes. In the window that appears, type the following command, including the space as shown:
chkdsk/f C:
and then press Enter. Repairs will automatically start on your hard drive, and you’ll be asked to restart your device.

A clean restart starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. This helps eliminate software conflicts that occur when you install a program or an update that may cause issues updating your PC.
Learn how to do a clean restart

In the search box on the taskbar, type command prompt, then select Run as administrator from the list of options.

In the window that appears, type this command including spaces as shown:
DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth

Press Enter. When the command operation has run successfully, you’ll see a confirmation message from Command Prompt that says, “The restore operation completed successfully” or “The operation completed successfully”.
Note: If you don’t see a confirmation message, retype the command and try again.

Next, type this command, including the space as shown:
sfc /scannow

Press Enter. Wait until the sfc scan verification reaches 100% completion, and then close Command Prompt.

Try running the Windows Update again.

Go to the software download page and select Download tool now to download the clean installation tool. Make sure to carefully read the notes on the software download page before using the tool.

Still stuck?

Contact Microsoft support if you continue to have problems with your Windows updates.

«Failure configuring Windows updates. Reverting changes.» error when you try to install Windows updates

Symptoms

When you try to install Windows updates, you get the following error:

Failure configuring Windows updates. Reverting changes. Do not turn off your computer.

Note If this issue occurs, it may take about 30 minutes to revert the changes, and then the system will show the Windows logon screen.

Resolution

To resolve this issue, use the following methods starting with the first method below. If that doesn’t resolve your issue, click next method.

Method 1: Restart Windows and install Windows updates in a clean boot state

To perform a clean boot in Windows, see how to perform a clean boot to troubleshoot a problem in Windows 8, Windows 7, or Windows Vista. And then, install Windows Updates according to your operating system.

Open Windows Update by swiping in from the right edge of the screen (or, if you’re using a mouse, by pointing to the lower-right corner of the screen and moving the mouse pointer up), then selecting Settings > Change PC settings.

Select Update and recovery > Windows Update.

Try to install Windows Updates again.

Select the Start button. In the search box, enter Update, and then, in the list of results, select Windows Update.

Try to install Windows Updates again.

Note Installing Windows updates in a clean boot state will avoid the Windows updates installation being blocked by some other applications and services that are installed in Windows.

Method 2: Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter

Download the Windows Update Troubleshooter, and then select O pen or Save in the pop-up window. And then, select Next and follow the steps in the wizard to find and fix problems with Windows Update .

If you don’t have an Internet connection in Windows 8, you can open the Windows Update troubleshooter that’s included in Windows 8. However, that troubleshooter does not perform all the troubleshooting steps that the linked troubleshooter above does.

Open the Windows Update troubleshooter by swiping in from the right edge of the screen, tapping Search (or if you’re using a mouse, pointing to the upper-right corner of the screen, moving the mouse pointer down, and then clicking Search).

Type Troubleshooting, tap or click on Settings, and then tap or click Troubleshooting.

Under System and Security, tap or click Fix Problems with Windows Update, and then select Next.

Download the Windows Update Troubleshooter, and then select O pen or Save in the pop-up window.

Select Next and follow the steps in the wizard to find and fix problems with Windows Update.

Method 3: Unplug your removable media from the computer

Check if any removable media is not removed from the computer, such as removable disks (Blu-ray disks, DVDs, CDs), memory cards (CompactFlash card, Secure Digital card, Memory Stick), and USB flash drives.

Unplug all the removable media.

Note These removable media may cause this issue during the restart of Windows.

Method 4: Perform a system restore When you start your computer by using the Windows installation disc, you can perform system recovery options on startup. To do this, follow these steps:

Insert the Windows 8 installation disc in the drive, and then restart the computer.

When you are prompted to start from the disc, press any key.

Tap or click Repair your computer.

Tap or click Troubleshoot, and then tap or click Advanced options.

Tap or click your version of Windows 8, tap or click System Restore, tap or click the restore point you want, and then tap or click Next.

Follow the onscreen instructions to perform the System Restore, and when prompted, restart your computer.

Insert the Windows Vista or Windows 7 installation disc in the drive, and then restart the computer.

When you are prompted to start from the disc, press any key.

When you are prompted, configure the Language to install, Time and currency format, and Keyboard or input method options that you want, and then select Next.

Select Repair your computer.

On the System Recovery Options page, click the version of the Windows operating system that you want to repair, and then select Next.

On the System Recovery Options page, select System Restore.

On the System Restore page, select Next.

Select a restore point at which you know that the operating system was working, and then select Next.

The restore point should be a date before the first time that you experienced the error. To select a date, use the Choose a different restore point option, and then select Next.

If you are prompted to specify which disk to restore, select the hard disk, and then select Next.

On the Confirm your restore point page, select Finish.

When the restoration process is complete, select Restart.

Note You must be logged on to Windows with an administrator account to complete this method. If this is a computer that is part of a network at work, you should ask the system administrator for help. For information about how to log into Windows as an administrator, click one of the following links, depending on the version of Windows that you’re running:

Note If your computer is not configured to start from a CD or from a DVD, or if Windows came preinstalled on your computer without the CDs or DVDs, see the documentation that was included with the computer for instruction about how to continue, or skip to the next method.

Method 5: Perform an in-place upgrade (reinstallation) (Windows 7 and Windows Vista)

Performing an in-place upgrade will restore the current Windows installation to the version of the installation DVD. This also requires the installation of all updates that are not included on the installation DVD. If your computer came with Windows pre-installed, review your computer’s documentation for instructions on how to do an in-place upgrade. Otherwise, follow these steps.

Insert the Windows Vista or Windows 7 DVD in the computer’s DVD drive.

In the Setup window, select Install Now.

Note If Windows does not automatically detect the DVD, follow these steps:

Select Start, and then type Drive:\setup.exe in the Start Search box. Note The Drive placeholder is the drive letter of the computer’s DVD drive, usually D:\.

In the Programs list, select Setup.exe.

In the Setup window, select Install Now.

Select Go online to obtain the latest updates for installation (recommended).

Type the CD key if you are prompted to do this.

Select the operating system in the Install Windows page you want to upgrade.

Select Yes to accept the Microsoft Software License Terms.

On the Which type of installation do you want? screen, select Upgrade.

When the installation is complete, restart your computer.

Note We strongly recommend that you back up all your personal files. For information, see how to back up your files.

If these methods did not fix the issue, you can use the Microsoft Customer Support Services Web site to find other solutions to your problem. Some services that the Microsoft Customer Support Services Web sites provide include the following:

Searchable Knowledge Base: Search technical support information and self-help tools for Microsoft products.

Solution Centers: View product-specific frequently asked questions and support highlights.

Other Support Options: Use the Web to ask a question, contact Microsoft Customer Support Services, or provide feedback.

If you continue to have problems, you might want to contact Microsoft Support.

How to restore or repair your Windows installation

Note These sites include options to use when the manufacturer has installed the System Recovery options on the computer.

How to avoid this problem in Windows Vista

To avoid this problem in Windows Vista, obtain and install update 937287 from the Microsoft Download Center separately from all other updates on the Windows Update site. Install the update that applies to your version of Windows Vista so that you can successfully install future updates.

The following files are available for download from the Microsoft Download Center:

Windows Vista x86-based systems Download the Windows6.0-KB937287-x86.msu package now.

Windows Vista x64-based systems Download the Windows6.0-KB937287-x64.msu package now.

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the «Applies to» section.