How to fix Windows Update error 0x8007045b

What is Windows Update Error 0x8007045b

Update issues are no revelation to the Windows world. They tend to appear from time to time whilst installing new builds, patches, and other kinds of updates. Some users reported the 0x8007045b error arrives when attempting to upgrade their system to the next Windows build available (Windows 10 Insider Preview 14379). Even though this is the most discussed case of updating, other builds and minor updates may lead to similar issues as well. Mostly all update errors share the same source of causes that make them arise – corrupted files, wrong configuration of services, third-party interference, and other closely related reasons. To solve them, we recommend you to take your time through this set of solutions below. Follow each step precisely to avoid missing anything of the essence.

1. Launch Windows Update Troubleshooter

The very first, yet oftentimes underestimated solution is Update Troubleshooter. Yes, it is hard to argue that in-built troubleshoot does not always fix the popping errors as there are broader causes for their appearance. Despite this, it is still worth trying Windows Troubleshooter to overcome the 0x8007045b code. The in-built utility will scan out your system for potential problems and try to fix them using automatic 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. Make sure no system files are missing or damaged

As we mentioned in the beginning, it is quite common to see update errors appear due to missing or corrupted files. There is a list of certain files that are essential for Windows services to run correctly. If some of these files are out of their native environment, more likely it will be the reason for 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 boot both of these scans using the sequence below. This is how:

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.

After performing both of these scans, attempt to perform the installation of updates again. If this does not work, move down to alternative error solutions below.

3. Scan your hard drive for damaged fragments

Some update issues may originate from hard drive corruption. This is why it is always a good idea to check whether such corruption is present or not. To do this, follow these steps:

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.

This method is less likely to solve the issue, so do not worry if it did not work out eventually.

4. Run a Clean Bootup

There is a chance 0x8007045b error may come out alive as a result of some compatibility issues. Antimalware or any other third-party software may conflict with Windows services causing the problem. The Clean bootup feature helps users boot their PC only with in-built apps and services to find out whether some secondary app is being a culprit. To launch in Clean bootup mode, follow these simple 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 failed or succeeded in installing the 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.

5. Reset Windows Update components

Another nuclear method to resolve update-related issues is performing a reset of Windows Update settings. 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. Based on this, we will force Windows to delete corrupted elements and create update-related components from scratch. Below, we will show you two ways of getting around this method. The first requires typing and executing each console command in a manual sequence. The other involves 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 complicated to do, it will not take too much time and knowledge. Just follow the steps 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 in executing all of the steps at once without typing commands manually. If you ever stumble into similar issues in the future, you can execute the already-created .bat file to 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. Use Media Creation Tool

The last, but very powerful tool to use in case no attempts to stimulate your updates back to work end up successful is Media Creation Tool. This instrument helps users obtain the latest portion of updates available to walk around various errors. The update procedure will not touch your personal data but simply upgrade the PC. In order to do it, follow the steps listed 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 work around the 0x8007045b error.

Summary

This was our tutorial on how to stamp on the 0x8007045b issue. Sometimes the issue remains persistent, which makes you think you have come to a deadlock. In this case, you can wait for future updates as they will overwrite your previous ones. If you ever face similar difficulties with getting new updates in the future, refer to this guide and try the same steps. They are very versatile and fit many similar problems related to updates.