Windows Update failed

Not much on this topic as is on MS answers. But have been dealing with this problem since March 23, 2022. Tried all info available to solve the problem. After multiple days of my PC trying over and over again to update KB5011487 and failing. And update history stating that KB5011487 was installed and also failed to install, and in uninstall history all shows the same dates. Really screwed up stuff. I tried these 4 steps.

Windows + R, type services.msc and click ok, locate windows update service, right-click on it select stop.

C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution select all files and deleted them.

Administrative Command prompt enter dism /online /cleanup-image /startcomponentcleanup This takes a while to perform. When completed. Enter sfc /scannow when it is finished restart computer.

Check for updates

4 Updates appeared none of them KB5011487! Hurray!! 1 malicious software tool, 2 defender update, 3 Net framework 3.5 and 4.8 21H2 KB5012117. 4 Now KB5012599 which is failing to install. During the updates of the others had to restart the computer as update was stalling out/glitch.

Service stack update installed today 10.0.119041.1677. Guess it installed when I selected the new cumulative preview update KB5011831 which failed to install.

What is it with Microsoft and these failing updates?

- - - Updated - - -

Re-administered the steps on my original post. Updated some, but the newer ISO KB5012599 will not install.

GM66 said:

KB5012599 will not install

Download it manually & try again. There's a link on the relevant News article
KB5012599 Windows 10 19042.1645, 19043.1645, 19044.1645

By the way, "ISO" means something else. This is a Cumulative update not an ISO.

If you ever get WU problems in the future, use the tutorial procedure. It is the most comprehensive WU reset procedure available.
Reset Windows Update - TenForumsTutorials

All the best,
Denis

If the tutorial procedure does not fix your WU then I suggest a Repair install [using the current Version's ISO file] because that is an effective repair method that should not affect your own files or your installed applications.
Download Windows 10 ISO File -TenForumsTutorials
Repair Install - TenForumsTutorials

I assume you do not have a system image to fall back on
my ditty - File backup vs imaging, imaging utilities, backing up drivers [post #3] - TenForums


All the best,
Denis

System images are explained in the link.
They are the most comprehensive & valuable backup you can make.
My last system image was on the 20th of this month [and my last backup of my own files was 6 minutes ago]. Even if my Windows was fatally corrupted, I could get back up & running within half an hour because I would restore that system image. If my hard drive failed, I could get back up & running within half an hour of getting its replacement.


I wouldn't bother with the MCT myself. It doesn't "contain" the current Version, it is a download tool. I tend to use Option 5 of the download ISO tutorial, Techbench, but there's nothing actually wrong with using the MCT to download it.
A Repair install can be run directly from the downloaded ISO file, you do not need to create an installation USB.

An ISO file contains the current Version not the current Build. So you'll have a Cumulative update to repeat afterwards & probably some minor ones such as .Net updates.

Denis

No.

You have illustrated a list of Restore points. They are not system images.

A Restore point contains a list of recent changes.
- Restoring restore points does often work.
- Restoring restore points often fails.
- Windows deletes Restore points it decides are no longer viable.
- Just because Windows has not deleted a Restore point does not mean that it is going to restore correctly.
Like many others, I stopped bothering with Restore points years ago.

A System image contains the whole system.
- A System image is a compressed copy of the whole of your computer's OS disk.
- Restoring system images is a highly reliable procedure.
- I use Acronis True Image for my images but am also currently experimenting with Macrium Reflect, a popular free system imaging utility for which you can get plenty of help in this forum.

No.

And MS announced about five years ago that their Acronis/Macrium equivalent utility should no longer be used.

Denis