Windows 7 Update Failed Can t Try Again
This weekend, I fired upwards a Windows 10 VM image I hadn't used for a while. Considering they are essentially simply files, virtual machine images tend to sit around, powered off, unless you need them. I use a standard Windows 10 starter template VM whenever I need a fresh machine. The template hadn't been updated in a while.
As is e'er the case when re-activating a VM, I ran Windows Update. It made some progress, just then it failed. I tried Windows Update again. I got another fail bulletin.
Oh no! Information technology'due south failed over again!
Y'all can try a bunch of tricks to ready updates when they fail. Fortunately, in my case, the very beginning tactic I used succeeded. I'll evidence you that, then I'll share with you some of the additional steps I would take taken if the update nevertheless hadn't worked.
Make a backup
I know this should become without saying, only I'yard going to say it anyway. Make a fill-in. Earlier y'all become rummaging around in your system's innards, information technology'due south e'er expert to make certain you can recover your data.
Yeah, I've skipped this step. Yes, it's hurt my soul. Acquire from my mistakes. Make a fill-in. Here are three neat articles by our own Windows sensei, Ed Bott, that should help yous backup before yous go forward.
Ed Bott on Windows backups:
- Windows 10 tip: Create a full epitome backup using this subconscious tool
- Windows 10 tip: Create a recovery bulldoze
- Windows ten tip: Turn on File History for automatic backups
1. For VM users: Replace with a newer VM
I often have older VMs pre-configured with a lot of custom tweaks, installed applications, and other elements. As such, it's ofttimes rather time-consuming to outset from a fresh Windows image. Merely if you're able to, rather than going through the effort to update a version of Windows that was originally installed in 2022 or 2017, start with a fresh Windows prototype that has the October 2022 update already installed.
2. Restart and endeavor running Windows Update again
In reviewing this mail service with Ed, he told me that the most common cause of those "Update failed" letters is that in that location are ii updates waiting. If one is a servicing stack update, it has to install kickoff, and the auto has to restart before information technology can install the next update. Trouble solved.
A good read on this is Liam Tung's piece, Windows update problems: Microsoft reveals why recent patches bankrupt some PCs. Even though it talks most some Windows 7 update problems, the underlying principle is the aforementioned.
3. Try Windows Update Troubleshooter
Microsoft actually ships Windows ten with a Windows Update troubleshooting tool. I find the easiest way to reach it is simply blazon "troubleshoot" in the search box.
Simply blazon "troubleshoot".
Because I'm working on an older revision of Windows x, the screen above is shown. If your Windows 10 is from a more than recent update, yous'll see the following screen, which you tin as well accomplish by going to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshooting.
This is the more recent version of the Windows 10 troubleshooting interface.
This will bring upwards the full Troubleshooting panel. You'll want to select "Fix problems with Windows Update." This volition bring upward the Windows Update troubleshooter. I didn't feel I needed to use Advanced options, then I just hit Adjacent. That said, Ed recommends taking the extra minute and using Avant-garde Options. He says, "That runs the troubleshooter as an admin and allows it to set a wider range of problems."
Allow's solve some problems!
Afterward a relatively short time, Windows reported it had found and stock-still the problem.
At that place's a nice surprise. It'south stock-still.
Of course, it'due south never a good thought to simply take Windows' word for anything like this, then I went back into Windows Update and ran it over again.
Later a few hours, I had my result. The update that previously failed had completed properly and my system was fully up to date.
Oh, now that'due south prissy!
4. Intermission updates
Here'due south an interesting trick that'due south a big counter-intuitive. Become to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and striking the Avant-garde Options button. Bold yous're at a relatively recent version of Windows 10, you lot'll see this screen:
Break updates clears the already-downloaded update enshroud.
Slide the Break Updates switch on. Restart your machine. Then, in one case the auto is booted up fully, go back to that screen and slide the Pause Updates switch back to Off.
If you tell Windows to pause updates, you'll clear all of the downloaded updates. Go ahead and endeavour Windows Update again. Hopefully information technology will piece of work. This is way easier (and less stressful) than deleting the SoftwareDistribution directory from your Windows directory, which is my side by side suggestion.
v. 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, it'south taken hours or days, and I've had to bound through a bunch of hoops to get it done.
If the troubleshooter doesn't work, a adept first get-go is to but clear away the former update files. To do this, first restart your machine in Safe Mode. Information technology is possible to clear the Windows Update files past stopping the Windows Update service, but I've plant information technology's but a much more reliable experience to brand sure nothing'southward running in the groundwork, then I go directly for Safe Mode.
Run Safe Fashion.
From in that location, open File Explorer, navigate to the Windows binder, and delete the folder chosen SoftwareDistribution.
If you lot're not nervous doing this, you're not human.
Alternatively, you can type RMDIR /Due south/Q at a command 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 bespeak, go ahead and restart your auto and try the update again. If yous disabled the Windows Update service, call back to plow information technology on before attempting your update.
6. Download the latest feature update from Microsoft
If Windows Update is nonetheless failing, you might desire to consider going to Microsoft to download the update directly. It'southward probably not a bad idea to bookmark the Download Windows 10 page on the Microsoft site.
If y'all're using Edge, you'll be able to download the update:
Brand certain you're using Edge to get the in-identify Update pick.
Go alee and completely download the update. I'd recommend hit Save rather than Run, and so that you accept the update and tin reapply it if you run into any snags.
One time it'south downloaded, run the update epitome, and hopefully you'll exist all gear up.
7. Download the cumulative quality/security updates
The tactic above may work if there'due south a recent feature update (as there was in my case). But there are actually 2 kinds of updates: feature and quality/security updates. Ed has a slap-up explanation of the differences in this article. Ed explains that near "Update failed" letters are related to security/reliability updates.
For those, yous have to get to the Microsoft Update Itemize, search using the KB number of the failed update, and download the right standalone distribution bundle, so double-click to run information technology.
viii. Run the Windows Arrangement File Checker
If all that fails, it might be time to run the Windows System File Checker. Here's a cardinal tip for those of yous familiar with using SFC (Organization File Checker) in Windows 7 and earlier. Now, since Windows 8, yous'll demand to run a tool called DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) first.
So let's begin with that. First, open a command shell. Make certain yous correct-click on the Control carte du jour and run in elevated privilege mode.
You'll demand 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 make clean corruption among your system components. Give information technology a few minutes to run. Hopefully you'll have a successful event.
May the Force be with you.
In one case you've completed your DISM run, information technology's time to fire off SFC. In that same elevated privilege command window, get ahead and run SFC /scannow.
No, non the CBS that owns ZDNet. This time, CBS means Component Based Servicing.
As it turned out, SFC did find some errors, which it repaired and then wrote to the CBS (Component Based Servicing) log.
Once you've run DISM and SFC, it's time to reboot. And so, once again, try Windows Update.
9. If all else fails, repair your Windows installation
Hopefully, you lot're happily updating Windows by now. Simply if not, I have 1 more hammer left in my toolbox: repairing your Windows installation itself. Windows offers an in-place repair and upgrade equally part of the installation procedure.
To take this final stride, read Ed Bott's quick tip on how to make it happen.
x. Skip the update
Finally, it'southward worth mentioning that sometimes Microsoft ships problematic updates. You might just need to skip that update. I know, subsequently all that pain, right? But it happens. Hither'due south an Ed tip on hiding problematic updates and moving on with your life.
Hopefully, one of these procedures is getting you back on the way to an updated Windows. Let me know how things worked out in the TalkBacks beneath.
You can follow my day-to-mean solar day projection updates on social media. Exist sure 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'due south complimentary tech support and troubleshooting guide
A curated list of the all-time sites for support data about Windows x.
How to install, reinstall, upgrade and actuate Windows 10
Here's everything you need to know before you repair, reinstall, or upgrade Windows 10, including details about activation and production keys.
Which apps are draining your laptop's battery? Check Windows Task Manager CNET
The venerable Task Manager has a few new tricks.
10 apps to add features to Windows 10 TechRepublic
Here's a selection of our favorite Windows ten utilities.
Source: https://www.zdnet.com/article/windows-update-failed-here-are-10-fixes-you-can-try/
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