How to fix Windows Update error 0x80070005

What is Windows Update error 0x80070005

Sometimes users may have restricted permissions that prevent Windows from updating correctly. For this exact reason, access can be denied resulting in errors like 0x80070005. In most cases, the update will reach 100% but refuse to restart your PC to finish the installation. The same problem with permissions can happen when trying to install a program. Luckily, there are ways that can help you resolve this issue and succeed in getting the necessary updates. Scroll down to our list of solutions and perform all steps below.

Windows Update error 0x80070005 (sample 1)

Windows Update error 0x80070005 (sample 2)

1. Launch Windows Update Troubleshooter

Before moving on to more advanced solutions, we recommend you try Update Troubleshooter. It is an in-built utility developed to address various issues met by users whilst installing new updates. Of course, it is hard to say this method shows high effectiveness in rectifying the issue, but still worth trying as a debut solution. The utility will scan out your system for potential problems and try to fix them using educated algorithms.

1. Open Settings and navigate to Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
2. On the right pane, locate Windows Update and click Run the troubleshooter.
3. Finish the process following the on-screen instructions and restart your PC.

2. Grant permissions in AppData properties

Because error 0x80070005 is related to lack of administrative permissions, another option to try is about turning them on. Users can do it manually via AppData properties. Note that many users have this and many other folders hidden by default. To make them visible and easier to access, do these steps below:

1. Open This PC and click View on the very top of the window.
2. From the drop-down menu find and choose Options.
3. In the opened window, go to View, scroll down a bit and select Show hidden files, folders, and drives under Hidden files and folders.
4. After doing these steps, you will be able to see the AppData folder.

Now we should grant permissions by accessing properties of AppData. Here is how:

1. Navigate through this path C:\Users\{username}\AppData. In {username} type your own username.
2. Right-click on AppData and choose Properties.
3. Move to Security tab and click Edit.
4. Then click on Add, type Everyone, click Check Names, and OK to finish.
5. Select Everyone and tick the box next to Full control.
6. Click Apply and OK to close the window.
7. Reboot your PC and check if you can update your system after performing these steps. We hope no error appears.

3. Make sure no system files are missing or damaged

Update errors may come to the surface due to missing or corrupted files as well. Just like any mechanism in the world, Windows cannot function without certain details. These details are system files that play a critical role in executing various system processes including updates. If some of these files are lost, more likely it will be the reason causing update errors. Below, we are going to use both SFC (System File Checker) and DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management), which will detect and restore absent components, if any. Make sure to use both of these scans using the sequence below:

SFC

1. Open Command Prompt by typing cmd into the searching box next to the Start Menu button.
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. Open Command Prompt 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 the scanning and fixing.
4. Once done, restart your PC and install the update again.

4. Run a Clean Bootup

Another big culprit for many updates errors is incompatibility. Antimalware or any other third-party software may conflict with Windows services forcing the error. This is why there is a Clean bootup feature in Windows helping users boot their PC only with in-built apps and services. This helps you find out whether some secondary app is part of the problem. To launch your system in Clean bootup mode, follow these steps below:

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 the box is checked only next to the Load System Services.
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 install problematic updates, 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.

Before closing this part, it is also worth scanning your system for malicious presence. Various infections are prone to cause malfunctions inside of the system, which leads to different problems. We recommend you to use Malwarebytes – trusted and effective antivirus that wields advanced protection algorithms to combat local and online threats. You can download it using the link below and try a 14-day trial of the ultimate antimalware experience for free.

Malwarebytes main window

Malwarebytes settings

Malwarebytes scan results

5. Reset Windows Update components

Resetting Windows Update settings allows users to make sure no update configuration is damaged. Statistically, this method has proven itself to be very effective when dealing with many update issues. The whole procedure involves restarting BITS, Cryptographic, MSI Installer, and Windows Update services as well as renaming some update folders (SoftwareDistribution and Catroot2). These folders contain temporary files necessary for implementing Windows Updates. Thus, we will force Windows to delete corrupted elements and create update-related components from scratch. Below, we will show you two ways of performing this method. The first requires typing and executing each console command in a manual sequence. The other is done using a so-called batch script written in Notepad and saved as WUReset.bat. There is no real difference in which one you choose. Although the entire procedure may seem advanced and complicated, it will not take too much time and knowledge. Just follow the sequence listed below:

Using manual steps

1. Open Command Prompt by typing cmd into the searching box next to the Start Menu button.
2. Right-click on Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator.
3. Copy-paste this list of commands one by one clicking Enter after each. (This action will disable services responsible for Windows Updates)

net stop wuauserv
net stop cryptSvc
net stop bits
net stop msiserver

4. Then, we have to rename the above-mentioned folders. Simply paste these commands by clicking Enter after each.

ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 Catroot2.old

5. Finally, all left to do is to turn the disabled services back. So apply these commands likewise we did previously.

net start wuauserv
net start cryptSvc
net start bits
net start msiserver

6. Now we are all done with it. Go to the Windows Update center and try to perform the installation again.

Using the Batch Script

This is an alternative method to the above. A batch script is used to execute the same range of commands to reset all Windows Update components, Cryptographic services, and folders like SoftwareDistribution. It is not that hard as you could imagine, but rather easier than the previous one. All you need is a Windows Notepad and a bit of copy-paste magic. Batch scripts hold an upper hand over manual typing as they allow you to execute all the necessary commands at once. If you ever stumble into similar issues in the future, you can execute the already-created .bat file and reset update components:

1. Open a new Notepad file. For this, right-click on any free area over your desktop, choose New and Text document.
2. Then paste this list of commands into your notepad:

@ECHO OFF
echo Simple Script to Reset / Clear Windows Update
echo.
PAUSE
echo.
attrib -h -r -s %windir%system32catroot2
attrib -h -r -s %windir%system32catroot2*.*
net stop wuauserv
net stop CryptSvc
net stop BITS
ren %windir%system32catroot2 catroot2.old
ren %windir%SoftwareDistribution sold.old
ren "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\Microsoft\Network\Downloader" downloader.old
net Start BITS
net start CryptSvc
net start wuauserv
echo.
echo Task completed successfully...
echo.
PAUSE

3. Once pasting is done, click File > Save as and name it WUReset.bat. Make sure to set Encoding to ANSI and save the file to any location you want.
4. Finally, you can right-click on the file, select Run as administrator and enjoy automatic reset of Windows Updates.

6. Download a conflicting update from Microsoft Catalog

If you continue to struggle installing the necessary update, then there is a way to do it by manual. In other words, you will have to download the conflicting update directly from Microsoft Catalog. To do this, simply go through the steps listed below:

1. Press Windows key + I at the same time.
2. Then navigate to Update & Security.
3. On the right side of the window, choose View update history.
4. After this, find and note the most recent update (on top of the list).
5. You can also find this out by noting the name of failing update (in case it displays).
6. Once done, search and download the noted update in the Microsoft Update Catalog.

7. Use Media Creation Tool

The last method to close our list of solutions comes down to a Microsoft tool specially designed to obtain the latest updates against various issues. The name of this helpful program is Media Creation Tool. This utility will find relevant updates and install them to your system without touching personal data. In order to do it, follow the steps presented below:

1. At first, you have to download the utility from the Microsoft website.
2. Then, execute the downloaded file.
3. After agreeing with the Terms of use, there will be two options to choose from. Select Upgrade this PC now.
4. Choose to Keep Personal Files to ensure they will be untouched.
5. Finally, launch the process and wait until it ends.
6. Hopefully, this method helped you combat the 0x80070005 error.

Summary

Red highlighted texts when failing to update your system may be a real headache for many users. We hope this is no longer the case because error 0x80070005 is finally solved. If you struggle to find solutions for other errors or PC problems, search it on our website. There are lots of helpful articles constantly uploaded by our experts.