How to fix Windows 10/11 Update error 0xc1900101

What is Update error 0xc1900101

0xc1900101 is a Windows error that pops while trying to install new updates or upgrade to Windows 11 using Installation Assistant. Failed installation is sometimes followed by messages like “Attempting to recover installation” and “Undoing changes made to your computer”. It is also worth mentioning that 0xc1900101 may be presented with different suffixes when using Installation Assistant. Here is the full list we are aware of at the moment:

0xC1900101 - 0x2000c
0xC1900101 - 0x20004
0xC1900101 - 0x20017
0xC1900101 - 0x30018
0xC1900101 – 0x3000D
0xC1900101 - 0x40017
0xC1900101 - 0x40021
0xC1900101 – 0x4000D

This issue has no single reason for its occurrence. A broad spectrum of reasons has been involved in causing 0xc1900101 to pop – old drivers, insufficient disk space for OS upgrade, third-party conflicts, corrupted system elements, disk errors, and even outdated BIOS firmware. All of these causes are quite individualistic having a different impact on each person facing the error. In most cases, the error has been successfully solved using basic and non-complicated methods. We hope it will be no different for you. Follow our guidelines below to try each available method until it resolves the 0xc1900101 error.

1. Ensure sufficient space for installing Windows 11

Sometimes the reason why you are unable to install Windows 11 is simply due to insufficient space on your disk. Make sure you have at least 20GB of free space and your PC meets basic requirements for setting up new Windows 11. After making sure all the requirements are met, try to run the installation again. If the process continues to go wrong, move on to other solutions below.

2. Turn off/delete third-party software

Third-party software like antivirus can be potentially tied in causing compatibility issues. Usually, it happens due to firewall settings that block access to certain processes of Windows. Thus, we recommend you turn off your antivirus and try to run the installation of problematic updates or Windows 11. After trying, you can enable your anti-malware software afterwards. Also, if you remember installing some third-party software from the web before the issue occurred, try to delete this software and see if it helps. We would also recommend you scan your PC for malicious or unwanted software as it could also be part of the error. We recommend using anti-malware software developed by Malwarebytes as it has been exceptionally good at detecting and removing potentially harmful programs. You can download it and access a 14-day period of full-fledged anti-malware experience via the button below.

Download Malwarebytes.

3. Check integrity of system files

As we pointed out in the beginning, corrupted or missing system files can be easily found on the list of potential causes. It is impossible to know whether it is the case without scanning your system for such a problem. Use these steps below to perform two different scans able to find and restore absent components, if any. Makes sure to use both of them in the sequence below as they might have a different impact on resolving the issue.

SFC

1. Open Command Prompt by typing cmd into the searching box next to Start Menu.
2. Right-click on Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator.
3. Once the console is opened, type the sfc /scannow command and click Enter.
4. When the fixing process is done, restart your computer.

DISM

1. After restarting your PC, open Command Prompt again as we did in the previous step.
2. Copy and paste this command DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth.
3. Click Enter and wait until Windows ends scanning and fixing.
4. Once done, restart your PC and try to install Windows 11 or update again.

4. Scan your hard drive for damaged fragments

Here comes another and probably final manipulation using Command Prompt in this guide. Let’s check your disk for potential errors and fix them if any are found.

1. Open Command Prompt just as we did above.
2. Then, you should paste the chkdsk /f /r C: command and press Enter. If necessary, replace “C” with the letter of your hard drive.
3. The system will scan for both configuration and physical errors and automatically repair them.

5. Clean up unnecessary system files

Deleting redundant system files may help. Some users managed to circumvent the 0xc1900101 error by deleting redundant system files on local disks (recovery copies, cached files, etc.). Note that deleting recovery copies means you will be unable to use restore points of previous versions to roll back to.

1. Open This PC.
2. Right-click on your main disk and choose Properties.
3. Find and click on Disk Cleanup.
4. Then select Clean up system files, check all the boxes, and click OK.
5. Once done, restart your PC and try to install again.

6. Update drivers

Another reason that could affect updating badly is obsolete or corrupted drivers. We recommend scanning your drivers and updating them if necessary. You can do it manually or use a special utility for a faster solution. Both options are discussed below:

1. Left-click on the Start Menu button and choose Device Manager.
2. Ideally, you should update all devices available. If there is something marked with a yellow triangle, this means you should update in the first order.
3. To do it, right-click on the driver, choose Update, and follow the on-screen instructions.
4. Let Windows search for new drivers and download them eventually.

Drivers are key to the proper configuration of your system. They are the ones providing a stable connection between hardware and your operating system. Updating a number of drivers manually may be exhausting and time-consuming. Here you can download the best driver update utility, which will take this task onto its own shoulders – Driver Booster from IObit:

Download Driver Booster

7. Run a Clean Bootup

As mentioned, 0xc1900101 could be caused by third-party software the leads to some conflict. Although we tried to avoid it by temporarily disabling antivirus and deleting recently installed software, there is no guarantee we got rid of the actual culprit. You can make sure no third-party software has an impact on native Windows processes like updating by entering Clean Boot mode. This mode allows users to load their system only with in-built services and applications to prevent incompatibility issues. Here is how you can do this:

1. Press Windows key + R combination and paste msconfig.
2. Then in the opened window go to the Services tab located on top.
3. Check the box next to Hide All Microsoft Services and click on the Disable all button.
4. Now choose the General tab and select the Selective startup option. Make sure that Load System Services is the only option selected.
5. Click Apply and OK. Then reboot your PC.

Now you can try to update your system whilst being in Clean Boot mode. No matter whether you managed or failed to succeed in what you wanted, you should turn Windows back to Normal Startup settings. To do this, simply redo all the steps you implemented above by enabling the disabled services and changing your startup option from Selective to Normal.

Summary

All the struggles with installing Windows 11 should now be over and no longer faced. As an alternative in case you are still into receiving the error, you can try and install Windows 11 from a bootable USB device. This is totally different and harder than using traditional Installation Assistant but could be a viable way to sort out the issue.