When it comes to Windows there’s nothing to say more than what we probably don’t know. Thanks to Bill Gates that he let the world know and gave opportunity to learn computer with lots of ease. The first Windows was developed in the year 1981 by a computer scientist Chase Bishop but it got released on November 1985 with the name “Windows 1.0”. After that gradually many versions of Windows got released with latest Windows 7 and new release Windows 8.
Now coming back to the Windows update error codes and their solution, there are plenty of these errors. Before going to the error and troubleshooting it, we must know that most of the errors are caused by some temporary problems which resolves automatically after some time. So all we need to do is that when we encounter some error,then before going to troubleshoot it just wait for 10-15 min and see whether the problem is resolved by itself or not.
Another note is that if we are using a pirated copy of Windows then it’s better to not get it updated because it might cause a bigger problem to us.
Windows update error 80070490
When we encounter such problem with this error code then it is evident that there is a corruption in the Component Based Services (CBS) manifest. And most importantly this log file is needed during the update of Windows.
Solutions
There are two types of solutions to resolve the problem. First is to repair the registry of the Windows. There is a System Update Readiness Tool for Windows which can solve the update error. There are two methods of installing and using the tool.
Method 1:
- Click Start > control panel.
- For Windows 7 click System and Security and for Vista click Security.
- In the Windows Update, click Check for updates. If there is a problem that can resolve the tool then it will be available for download and install. So then click Install updates.
Method 2:
If the method 1 doesn’t work then we can manually install the tool from the Microsoft site. The link is given: http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/search.aspx?q=system%20update%20readiness%20tool
Note: There is a possibility that the scan usually takes near about 15 min to complete, but it may vary with different machines. So if we see that the scan progress is stuck at some point then we must not cancel the scan as the scan is running in the background.
Secondly we have to update the Windows with our Windows boot CD/DVD. This update doesn’t affect anything in our computer. To do this we have to follow some steps.
- First close all the programs and restart the computer.
- Then insert the Windows boot DVD in the DVD drive. The computer will automatically detect it, if it doesn’t then click Start and type Drive:\setup.exe (where Drive is the DVD drive letter name).
- Another dialog box will open. There click Install Now. Then click Go online to obtain the latest updates for installation (recommended).
- Then it will ask which kind of installation do you want? There click Upgrade.
- After the install is complete, restart the computer and run WindowsUpdate.
Windows update error 80070005
This update error occurs when we don’t have enough permission to install updates. This happens when we are not logged in with administrator privileges.
Solutions
- If we are not logged in as administrator then log off the current user and again log in to the administrator account.
- If we don’t have administrator privilege then we have to create it. For this click Start, then Control panel. There click User Accounts and Family Safety, here if our account is not privileged with administrator then in the Change your account type option we can change it to administrator.
Windows update error 646
This error code may appear as “Error Code: 0×80070646” or “Error Code: 0×80070646” or “Error 1606 Could not access network location %APPDATA%”. This error codes are generally generated by Windows Installer when it encounters any problem.
Solutions
- There is possibility that registry error is causing the problem. Now to fix the registry error we can download the registry repair software by Microsoft. Here the link is given: http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9737449
- If we manually fix the error then we have to follow some steps. For Windows 7 or Windows Vista we have to follow:
- Click Start, there type regedit.
- In the list right click on Regedit.exe and click Run as administrator.
- Click on the registry subkey:
HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders - In the AppData the value should be %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming. If it’s not set to the value then right click on AppData and click Modify. Enter the value in the Value data box and click OK. Ten close the registry editor.
- Now try to install the updates, if still the problems persist then using the following registry subkeys we can do the same steps as above mentioned.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders
- For the Windows XP version we have to follow:
- Click Start, then click Run, there type regedit.
- In the list right click on Regedit.exe and click Run as administrator.
- Click on the registry subkey: HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders
- In the AppData the value should be %USERPROFILE%\Application Data. If it’s not set to the value then right click on AppData and click Modify. Enter the value in the Value data box and click OK. Then close the registry editor.
- Now try to install the updates, if still the problems persist then using the following registry subkeys we can do the same steps as above mentioned.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders
Windows update error 80072efd
This update error occurs when the Windows update server is overloaded with update requests. So in this context we should wait for some time and try back again or we can wait until next automatic update. Now if the problem still persists then there is a possibility that any program (antivirus, antispyware, web accelerator, internet security or proxy server) is preventing the Windows Update Services (SVCHOST) to access the internet.
Solutions
In this context we have to add exception for the Windows update sites in the software’s firewall. The name of the sites is given:
Another solution is given:
- Click Start > All programs > Accessories.
- Right click on command prompt and click run as administrator. If password is needed then give it.
- Type netsh winhttp reset proxy in the command prompt and press enter.
- Try update again.
Windows update error 80073712
When we encounter this problem while updating Windows then it means that Windows component store is corrupt.
Solutions
To fix the error we have to install and run the System Update Readiness Tool for Windows. There are two methods to do this.
Method 1:
- Click Start > control panel.
- For Windows 7 click System and Security and for Vista click Security.
- In the Windows Update, click Check for updates. If there is a problem that can resolve the tool then it will be available for download and install. So then click Install updates.
Method 2:
If the method 1 doesn’t work then we can manually install the tool from the Microsoft site. The link is given: http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/search.aspx?q=system%20update%20readiness%20tool
Note: There is a possibility that the scan usually takes near about 15 min to complete, but it may vary with different machines. So if we see that the scan progress is stuck at some point then we must not cancel the scan as the scan is running in the background.
Windows update error 80072f8f
If we encounter this error message then the time and date of our computer and of the update server is not the same. Little difference in time and date may not hamper but large difference may affect the update process.
Solutions
The only solution is to synchronize our computers clock to the internet time. There are two methods to do this.
Method 1:
- Click Start > control panel > Clock, Language and Region > then click Date and Time.
- Here check whether the date and time is correct or not. If the date and time is not correct then click on the Change date and time and by clicking on the up and down arrow fix the date and time.
- After fixing click OK.
Method 2:
- Click Start > control panel > Clock, Language and Region > then click Date and Time.
- Click on the Internet time tab and click Change settings. If we are prompted for giving password, give it.
- Now click on the ‘Automatically synchronize with an Internet time server’ and select an internet time server and click OK.
Windows update error 80070002
This type of error occurs when the Windows update database in the computer and the database instruction is inconsistent.
Solutions
There are two types of solutions which can fix the error.
- To fix the error we have to install and run the System Update Readiness Tool for Windows. There are two methods to do this.
Method 1:
- Click Start > control panel.
- For Windows 7 click System and Security and for Vista click Security.
- In the Windows Update, click Check for updates. If there is a problem that can resolve the tool then it will be available for download and install. So then click Install updates.
Method 2:
If the method 1 doesn’t work then we can manually install the tool from the Microsoft site. The link is given: http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/search.aspx?q=system%20update%20readiness%20tool
Note: There is a possibility that the scan usually takes near about 15 min to complete, but it may vary with different machines. So if we see that the scan progress is stuck at some point then we must not cancel the scan as the scan is running in the background.
- Another way to solve the problem is to rename the Windows update temporary download folder. To do this we have to follow some steps:
- Click Start > Run > type Notepad > click OK or press enter
- Copy and paste the following command:
net stop wuauserv
cd %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution
ren Download Download.old
net start wuauserv
- Now save the notepad document with extension .bat on the desktop.
- Now open the file by double clicking.
- Try to update again.
Windows update error 80070103
If we encounter such error message then the reason behind the error is we are trying to install an update which is already in there. Also maybe we are trying to update any driver which is already updated or the compatibility of the update doesn’t match.
Solutions
- Try to update the driver of any software, antivirus, game manually rather than via Windows update.
- If we repeatedly see the message then click on the + sign under the update and select Don’t show this update again check box.
Windows update error 80072efe
When we encounter such error that means that the error is caused by hardware/software firewalls or proxy servers or may be the Windows category files are corrupted.
Solutions
The main reason is that the internet connection between our computer and the Windows update server has lost. So it’s better to wait for some time and try it again or leave to the next automatic update. If the problem still persists then we have to follow some steps.
- To fix the error we have to install and run the System Update Readiness Tool for Windows. There are two methods to do this.
Method 1:
- Click Start > control panel.
- For Windows 7 click System and Security and for Vista click Security.
- In the Windows Update, click Check for updates. If there is a problem that can resolve the tool then it will be available for download and install. So then click Install updates.
Method 2:
If the method 1 doesn’t work then we can manually install the tool from the Microsoft site. The link is given: http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/search.aspx?q=system%20update%20readiness%20tool
Note: There is a possibility that the scan usually takes near about 15 min to complete, but it may vary with different machines. So if we see that the scan progress is stuck at some point then we must not cancel the scan as the scan is running in the background.
- Try to disable the firewalls or the internet security programs that are preventing the update. There are some programs which can block the update:
- Also delete the CatRoot2 folder. For this we have to follow some steps.
- Click Start > Run > type SERVICES.MSC > press OK
- Double click on Cryptographic services and click on stop.
- Now in the C:\Windows\System32\ folder locate the CatRoot2 subfolder and delete it.
- Again click Start > Run > type SERVICES.MSC > press OK
- Double click on Cryptographic services and click on start.
- Try to update again.
Windows update error 800b0100
When we see this error message during Windows update then it means that the files we are trying to download are not registered with Windows.
Solutions
- To fix the error we have to install and run the System Update Readiness Tool for Windows. There are two methods to do this.
Method 1:
- Click Start > control panel.
- For Windows 7 click System and Security and for Vista click Security.
- In the Windows Update, click Check for updates. If there is a problem that can resolve the tool then it will be available for download and install. So then click Install updates.
Method 2:
If the method 1 doesn’t work then we can manually install the tool from the Microsoft site. The link is given: http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/search.aspx?q=system%20update%20readiness%20tool
Note: There is a possibility that the scan usually takes near about 15 min to complete, but it may vary with different machines. So if we see that the scan progress is stuck at some point then we must not cancel the scan as the scan is running in the background.
- Delete or change the name of the SoftwareDistribution folder in the System32 folder. The path of the folder is C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution.
Windows update error 643
When we get this error during Windows update, this means that the .NET framework installation has been corrupt.
Solutions
- To fix the error we have to install and run the System Update Readiness Tool for Windows. There are two methods to do this.
Method 1:
- Click Start > control panel.
- For Windows 7 click System and Security and for Vista click Security.
- In the Windows Update, click Check for updates. If there is a problem that can resolve the tool then it will be available for download and install. So then click Install updates.
Method 2:
If the method 1 doesn’t work then we can manually install the tool from the Microsoft site. The link is given: http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/search.aspx?q=system%20update%20readiness%20tool
Note: There is a possibility that the scan usually takes near about 15 min to complete, but it may vary with different machines. So if we see that the scan progress is stuck at some point then we must not cancel the scan as the scan is running in the background.
- Next we have to repair the .NET framework. For this we have to follow some steps.
For Windows 7 and Windows Vista:
- Click Start > type Uninstall > select Uninstall a program.
- Select the Microsoft .NET Framework 4 Client Profile. And click Repair .NET Framework 4 Client Profile to its original state and click next.
- When the process is done then restart the computer and try to update again.
Windows update error 80070424
This error code means that a service required to update Windows is not running.
Solutions
- To fix the error we have to install and run the System Update Readiness Tool for Windows. There are two methods to do this.
Method 1:
- Click Start > control panel.
- For Windows 7 click System and Security and for Vista click Security.
- In the Windows Update, click Check for updates. If there is a problem that can resolve the tool then it will be available for download and install. So then click Install updates.
Method 2:
If the method 1 doesn’t work then we can manually install the tool from the Microsoft site. The link is given: http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/search.aspx?q=system%20update%20readiness%20tool
Note: There is a possibility that the scan usually takes near about 15 min to complete, but it may vary with different machines. So if we see that the scan progress is stuck at some point then we must not cancel the scan as the scan is running in the background.
- Secondly we have to start the required service. To do this we have to follow some steps.
- Click Start > Control panel > System and Maintenance > Administrative Tools.
- Double click on Services. There will be Background Intelligent Transfer Service, Windows Update and Workstation. All of them should be started.
- Close the Services dialog box and try to update again.
This was information about Windows update error codes and how to deal with them. Hope you will find this information helpful.
Related posts:
About Moganti
Follow Us!