1703 clean install immediately gives 0x80070057 error

1703 upgrade install had some hiccups for me, so I bit the bullet and did full disk clean install. Deleted all partitions and let Windows installer create them as it wished. Everything goes smoothly, and as soon as its done I check Windows Update:

There were some problems installing updates, but we'll try again later. If you keep seeing this and want to search the web or contact support for information, this may help - (0x80070057).

Next I check Activation Status, which should be activated via digital entitlement. Not activated.

Something interrupted our troubleshooting. Make sure you're connected to the internet, wait a few minutes, and try again. Error code: 0x80070057

I gave it a few hours but the errors never resolved. Tried the recommendation to rename the SoftwareDistribution folder etc. (even though how could a brand new 100% fresh-from-MS installation be corrupted before even used?) and no joy. Tried installing x86 and x64 versions, same result with each.

I had saved a full disk image of my previous 1511 installation and have gone back to that, so I can't try any solutions for the 0x80070057 error right now ... but I will try again to reinstall 1703 as soon as I have some ideas for what to do.

In administrative command prompt run sfc /scannow.
Let us know if you had no integrity violations, whether it found errors and fixed them, whether it found errors and was unable to fix them, or whether it was unable to complete.

Then run dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth

Then if there are any problems please post your CBS and DISM logs.

When you attempted your prior update had you placed your computer in clean boot before the upgrade?
Did you generate panther logs when the update failed?

In administrative command prompt use control c then control v and paste this command if another update fails: C:\$Windows.~BT\Sources\Panther

Then search for these logs:
setupact.log
setuperr.log


It will be easier to upgrade with an already made a USB flash drive with a bootable windows 10 iso.
You will need to the know the computer manufactures F key to choose the boot device and will choose the USB port.

Download Windows 10

Some of these links allow you run through the troubleshooting menus.

Let us know what you were able /not able to do successfully.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...s-why-activate
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...troubleshooter
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...ivation-errors
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...ate-components
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...-update-errors

mc510,

A different option for you to consider:

If you are already using a Windows 10 operating system version, try upgrading to Windows 10 Creators Update using Windows 10 Update Assistant:

Update to Latest Version of Windows 10 using Update Assistant - Windows 10 Installation Upgrade Tutorials

No guarantees, but, might be worth a shot.

I just spent my whole weekend with Microsoft Support on this matter. Here are the things I tried - spoiler alert - nothing worked.

1. Fresh install on a newly formatted disk using Windows 10 1703 aka Creators Update - like the original post I got a 0x80070057 error on Activation, Windows Update and installing app from the Windows Store. Naturally, Microsoft was keen to help.
2. Tried applying Cumulative Patch (sorry didnt note the KB no) for Win 10 1703 - still no joy
3. Tried to gpupdate /force after checking Administrative Templates-Windows Component - Windows Update - Configure Automatic Updates = Not Configured (also didn't work)
4. Tried to regedit IsConvergedUpdateStackEnabled=dword:0000000 - (Regedit will not allow it to be edited, value remains as 1)

Finally we (me and MS Support) gave up. I wiped my disk clean and reinstalled Windows 10 1607 aka Anniversary Edition. It went smoothly, the activation was automatic as described - I got a digital entitlement license. I applied cumulative patch etc - no more issues.

In "Update and Security" settings, however, there's an announcement
- Good News! The Windows 10 Creators Update is on its way. Want to be one of the first to get it?"
Then I clicked on "Yes, show me how" - it verified my hardware for compliance and it did. Long story short it updated my Win 10 1607 to 1703. Then bam! I got the 0x80070057 once again. But this time I just had to roll back to 1607. I plan to stay there until perhaps I see something worth pursuing.

When I installed 1703, I deleted all partitions and let the installer generate all the partitions it requires. I'm afraid I can no longer post those logs because in the end I needed a working system and once again blew all partitions installing 1607.

Both Win 10 1703 and 1607 are downloadable from https://www.microsoft.com/en-au/soft...d/windows10ISO - anyone can download because you'd need a key if you don't have a digital license to activate anyway.