This post lists possible solutions when getting errors when executing Windows Updates on Windows 10.
The usual way to update Windows 10 is go to Start > Windows Update. We assume this is the way you are doing it normally and it does not work.
Possible solutions:
- Update computer drivers
- Run diagnostic tool by computer manufacturer
- Run Windows Update Assistant
- Run Windows Troubleshooting tool
- Run Deploying Image Servicing (dism) and System File Check (sfc)
- Resetting Windows Update
- Reinstall Windows keeping personal files
Possible solutions
Possible solution 1: Update computer drivers
Some issues may be related to outdated computer drivers.
Try to update them. You can use either the manufacturer application installed in your computer or download drivers from manufacturer’s web.
Then try to run Windows Update again.
Possible solution 2: Run diagnostic tool by computer manufacturer
Intstructions depend on your computer manufacturer.
HP
In case of HP, there are two diagnostics applications:
- HP PC Hardware Diagnostics UEFI
- HP Hardware Diagnostics Windows
They are mostly the same: the former is run on startup, and the latter on Windows. The first one seems to me more robust and have more options available.
HP PC Hardware Diagnostics UEFI is available from these sources:
- Download installer from this link
- HP Support device’s page
I recommend the first option because I found it was more updated (8.3.0.0 vs 7.6.2.0).
Once it is installed, open HP menu while booting computer and select option related to UEFI (e.g.: press Esc while booting, then select option F2 “System Diagnostics”).
HP Diagnostics Windows is available from these sources:
- HP Support device’s page
- Microsoft Store, if you have Windows 10
- This link (if you have Windows 8.1 or below). In any case, you will have to run the HpHwDiag.exe.
In my case, Microsoft Store gave an error when running this app from the store. The executable could not be run from C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\AD2F1837.HPPCHardwareDiagnosticsWindows_1.7.0.0_x64_v10z8vjag6ke6\HpHwDiag.exe.
I run it from “HP Support Assistant” > “Troubleshooting” tab > “Diagnotics section” > “HP PC Hardware Diagnostics”
Possible solution 2: Run Windows Update Assistant
Instead of using built-in Windows Update tool, download latest Windows Update Assistant from this link:
https://www.microsoft.com/us-en/software-download/windows10
More info about Windows Update Assistant here.
Possible solution 3: Run Windows Troubleshooting tool
Go to Start and type “troubleshooting”.
Look for Windows Update in the list, double click on it and follow troubleshooting wizard.
Possible solution 5: Run Deployment Image Servicing (dism) and System File Checker (sfc)
Press Windows key + X. Select “Command Line (Administrator)”
To run Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM), type in your command line:
DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
Once it is finished, to run the System File Checker type:
sfc /scannow
Repeat installation.
Possible solution 6: Resetting Windows Update
Press Windows key + X. Select “Command Line (Administrator)”
Type the following commands:
net stop bits
net stop wuauserv
net stop cryptsvc
net stop trustedinstaller
Optional:
net stop appidsvc
You may need to repeat any of the command until it is stopped.
Then type this command to delete files qmgr*.dat
Del "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Microsoft\Network\Downloader\qmgr*.dat"
Note: official Microsoft instructions provided a path that was incorrect in my system: “%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\Microsoft\Network\Downloader\qmgr*.dat”
Enter this command:
cd /d %windir%\system32
Enter all these commands, one after the other:
regsvr32.exe atl.dll
regsvr32.exe urlmon.dll
regsvr32.exe mshtml.dll
regsvr32.exe shdocvw.dll
regsvr32.exe browseui.dll
regsvr32.exe jscript.dll
regsvr32.exe vbscript.dll
regsvr32.exe scrrun.dll
regsvr32.exe msxml.dll
regsvr32.exe msxml3.dll
regsvr32.exe msxml6.dll
regsvr32.exe actxprxy.dll
regsvr32.exe softpub.dll
regsvr32.exe wintrust.dll
regsvr32.exe dssenh.dll
regsvr32.exe rsaenh.dll
regsvr32.exe gpkcsp.dll
regsvr32.exe sccbase.dll
regsvr32.exe slbcsp.dll
regsvr32.exe cryptdlg.dll
regsvr32.exe oleaut32.dll
regsvr32.exe ole32.dll
regsvr32.exe shell32.dll
regsvr32.exe initpki.dll
regsvr32.exe wuapi.dll
regsvr32.exe wuaueng.dll
regsvr32.exe wuaueng1.dll
regsvr32.exe wucltui.dll
regsvr32.exe wups.dll
regsvr32.exe wups2.dll
regsvr32.exe wuweb.dll
regsvr32.exe qmgr.dll
regsvr32.exe qmgrprxy.dll
regsvr32.exe wucltux.dll
regsvr32.exe muweb.dll
regsvr32.exe wuwebv.dll
Some of them will be registered successfully, other will give an error.
Reset winshock:
netsh winshock reset
Rename folders:
ren %systemroot%\System32\Catroot2 Catroot2.old
ren %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
Restart the services:
net start bits
net start wuauserv
net start cryptsvc
net start trutedinstaller
net start appidsvc
Restart you machine.
Try again Windows update.
Possible solution 7: Reinstall Windows keeping personal files
Install Windows in a USB with Microsoft Media Creation Tool. You can find detailed steps about this process on this link.
Ensure to make a backup of your system.
Access USB and run setup file on root folder of USB unit.
Note: it is not possible to boot system from USB for a Windows update. On this mode, only zero-start Windows installation is allowed.
Wait until process is finished. System may reboot some times.
More info about this solution on this external link.