Windows Update can fail for various reasons. Here’s how you can clean your PC prior to trying again.
Windows Updates may fail due to many reasons. From disk space issues to driver issues, it could take hours to figure out what caused the problem. Therefore, instead of trying to pinpoint the reason, it’s recommended to tidy up your computer before restarting the update.
Let’s look at how to prepare your PC following the failure of Windows Update.
- Use Windows Update Troubleshooting Tool. Windows Update Troubleshoot Tool
The first step you must do is run your Windows Update Troubleshooter. It is included with every version of Windows 10 and attempts to discover issues related to Windows Update.
In the same way, it is also able to fix damaged files and processes to run the update once more in a secure manner.
- To start the troubleshooter, use the Windows keys + S Enter Troubleshoot settings and then press Enter.
- When you are in the Troubleshoot settings panel, click Additional troubleshooters. Click on Windows Update, and hit Run the troubleshooter.
Then, allow the troubleshooter to identify the issues and then apply the fixes suggested by the troubleshooter. If not, you can skip the suggested fixes if you’ve already attempted the suggested solutions.
After the troubleshooter has stopped running then move onto the next stage.
- Service for Run Deployment Images and Management
The next thing you must do is clean and fix the system components that are corrupt. The system components that are damaged are among the primary causes of why updates fail, therefore it is best to identify and fix them prior to attempting to upgrade once more.
To begin the process, open the Command Prompt window by typing Command Prompt in the windows search bar, then right-clicking and then pressing Start as Administrator.
On the Command Prompt window, type”DISM /online/cleanup-image/restorehealth” and press Enter. When you press enter, DISM will start scanning Windows Component Store files for corrupted files and will attempt to repair the corrupted components.
A DISM scan to be completed prior to going for scanning with the System File Checker (SFC) scan is crucial since SFC is dependent upon it being able to access the Windows Component Store of the Windows image you are using. If the store’s component is damaged, SFC won’t work.
Therefore, you should do DISM to ensure that if you ever require to run SFC it is possible to run it without issues.
After DISM has finished You can then proceed.
- Run a System File Checker Scan
Where DISM is able to scan and fix components in the system, System File Checker (SFC) checks Windows system files for corrupted files and attempts to repair them by replacing them more stable ones from the Windows component store.
The procedure for running SFC is similar as DISM. Like before, fire up an Command Prompt window with administrative rights. Enter SFC /scannow, and hit enter.
Let SFC run its course, and when it is done then restart your PC.
- Pause Windows Updates
After fixing and repairing any file or component errors The next thing to take care of is to delete the outdated update file.
Windows Updates can be a disaster, that’s the reason many people don’t update to the latest Windows 10 Versions. One of the reasons why they’re a problem is that the multiple updates can cause conflicts that can cause failures of updates.
An easy fix to solve these issues is to uninstall previously downloaded updates and restart the procedure.
One method to delete the downloaded update is suspend and then remove the updates. Windows will delete updates downloaded when you deactivate the automatic updates.
- To open this menu you need to hold the Windows button + I for Settings and then go into Update & Security >> Windows Updates, Advanced Options.
- When you click Pause Updates, under the Advanced options, choose the date you would like to stop the updates on. For example, choose the date for the next day.
- After choosing the date, you must restart your computer. Windows will restart the updates within a day, and remove all downloaded updates.
After the updates have resumed after which you can download the files and attempt again.
- Removing old Data Windows Updates Data
Although using the “Pause/Un-Pause” method works to remove updates that have already been downloaded however, it’s not a 100% reliable method to remove outdated update data. An alternative method to do this is to erase the SoftwareDistribution folder.
The SoftwareDistribution folder is home to cached updates. Windows Update Service uses this directory to distribute software which is why it’s called that. Therefore, in order to remove this folder, you’ll must disable background services first.
While you can disable manually background services, a faster and more secure method of doing it is by booting into safe Mode. Therefore, follow these instructions to start Safe Mode..
If Windows Safe Mode boots, start File Explorer and type SoftwareDistribution in the search bar located in the upper right corner. When the folder appears then delete it.
After that, restart the computer (not using safe mode) to download latest updates.
- Resolve Driver Conflicts
Windows Updates could be unable to complete because of driver conflicts. Also, you must get rid of these issues after the failure of an update.
It is possible to resolve many driver issues by changing drivers to the most recent version. If updating isn’t working then you could try deleting and reinstalling the various versions.
Cleaning up the driver issues can go far in making sure that you experience an effortless experience with Windows Update the next time you use Windows Update.
- Manually roll back Windows Updates
When there’s a failing Windows Update, Component-Based Servicing (CBS) attempts to reverse the update. While it’s a great idea generally the rollback process may fail.
If the rollback does not work and you’re able to boot into your OS You can deinstall the update by going to your Settings panel.
However in the event that the update isn’t working and you’re unable to start the OS, you’ll need to enter Windows Recovery Environment. Windows Recovery Environment.
In the first instance, you are able to boot Windows Navigate into Settings, Updates and Security and then select Recovery from the left-hand panel.
Then, in the Recovery panel, click Start and follow the steps to reverse the modifications.
If you are unable to boot into Windows following a failed update, boot into the Windows Recovery Environmentt. After that, go to Troubleshoot Advanced Options and uninstall updates. uninstall the most recent feature update BestPCTips.
After uninstalling the feature update Try to boot into Windows. If you are able to successfully boot, you can run your Windows Update again.
But, if you aren’t able to boot, your only solution is for you to install a new version of Windows from a bootable media.Windows Updates fail But You can always try again
There are numerous issues that could be wrong when Windows attempts to update. The anxiety of breaking things can hinder you from regularly updating.
It is possible to reverse almost anything that Windows Update changes. From clearing cached data to backing updates manually and preparing Windows for a second attempt at updating is not too difficult.
In other words there’s no need to fret about the process of updating. Simply go ahead and do it.