How to fix Windows Update error 0x800f0922

What is error 0x800f0922

0x800f0922 is a Windows error that occurs while trying to install the latest pending updates. Some users reported this was the issue with KB5003173 Cumulative Update for Windows 10 21H1, 20H2, and 2004 as well. Usually, it happens due to deactivated .NET Framework components or connection problems that interrupt the successful completion of updates. The error is also frequently-seen after incorrectly uninstalling Microsoft Edge. Some cumulative updates including KB5003173 are meant to upload additional components for Edge result in failure while detecting empty C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\Edge\ folder. There are also some other reasons that could trigger the same 0x800f0922 error – firewall blockage, missing system files, and corrupted update components. Below, we discuss all the possible solutions related to each of the reasons that will potentially fix the issue.

1. Use Windows Update Troubleshooter

This is less likely to help, but still worth giving a shot as a kickstarter. Try to use Windows Update Troubleshooter – an in-built utility designed to find and remove potential reasons for problems with updating. Windows will scan out your system for potential problems and try to fix them eventually. Perform these simple steps below:

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.

As mentioned, this method is rarely helpful with resolving the 0x800f0922 error. If nothing worked out, move to other solutions below.

2. Delete Microsoft Edge folder

We already mentioned that one of the most possible reasons for the error appearance might be in bad uninstallation of Microsoft Edge. If you remember deleting it yourself, check whether you have a Microsoft Edge folder left in the system. If yes, you will simply have to delete it. This will prevent your system from questioning this remnant folder next time while running updates.

1. Go to C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\Edge\.
2. Delete the Edge folder and try to install updates again.

This is it. After deleting the folder you should be able to return updating back to its normal state.

3. Enable the .NET Framework

The update process may also fail due to disabled .NET Framework components. The solution is to access Windows and Features and enable them back if applicable. Here is how:

1. Find Control Panel using the search bar next to Start Menu and open it up.
2. Set View by to Small or Big Icons and choose Programs and Features from the list.
3. Once opened, navigate to Turn Windows features on or off on the right pane of the window.
4. If .NET Framework 3.5 (this package includes .NET 2.0 and 3.0) does not have a box next to it enabled, make sure you tick it.
5. You should also do the same with its subcomponents. Just click onto the plus icon next to .NET Framework 3.5 (this package includes .NET 2.0 and 3.0) and select other components as well.
6. Finally, click OK to save changes and wait until your system resotres the missing components, if any.

4. Check integrity of the system files

Corrupted or missing elements that are involved in various system activities can lead to problems with updating your system. Below, we are going to use both SFC (System File Checker) and DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) to check if such an issue exists. Both scans will be able to detect and restore absent components if any. Make sure to use both of the scans as they can have different influences on the error solution. This is how:

Using 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.

Using 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 completing both of these scans, attempt to run the installation of updates again. If this does not pay off, move down to further solution alternatives error down below.

5. Turn off firewall

If you have a third-party antimalware program set up on your system, try to disable it and see if this seals the deal. It is quite common for external firewalls to cause incompatibility issues preventing the proper connection between Windows and update servers. You can also try disabling your in-built firewall based on Windows Defender. We advise you to put away any online activity to avert infections to due weaker system protection (which comes as a result of disabling firewall). This is how you can turn your native firewall off:

1. Press Windows key + I and navigate to Update & Security.
2. Then, go to Windows Security and select Firewall & Network protection on the right pane.
3. Choose your current network and toggle the firewall off.
4. Now try to install the same update you struggled with.

No matter whether you managed to install the necessary update or not, it is very important to turn your disabled firewall back again. Do it immediately using the same steps above.

6. Delete temporary files

Another quick and sometimes effective solution is to clear the contents of the %TEMPT% folder. This folder may store redundant files that could hinder the update process. Therefore, let’s try and clear its contents using these steps below:

1. Press Windows key + R keystrokes and copy-paste this %TEMP%.
2. After opening, select all the folder you see inside, right-click and choose Delete. Make sure your Recycle bin is clear as well.
3. Finally, reboot your PC and try to approach the installation of updates again.

7. Enable the App Readiness service

App Readiness is the name of a Windows service designed to gets apps ready for use the first time a user signs in to this PC and while adding new apps. Because this service is correlated with updates, having its operation disabled may lead to update failures. Let’s see whether it is the case on your system using these steps below:

1. Press Windows key + R buttons together and copy-paste services.msc.
2. Find a service named App Readiness, right-click on it and choose Properties.
3. If applicable, change Startup type to Manual and click Start afterwards.
4. After the service is launched, click Apply and OK to save the affected changes.

If there is no Start button available and App Readiness is working already, you do not have to do anything with it.

8. Reset Windows Update components

Still no successful updates after trying the previous solutions? – then try to restore all Windows Update components from scratch. Doing so will recreate updated components from scratch making sure none of them are damaged or bugged preventing the process. The entire 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 again. Below, we will show you two ways of using 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 to perform. Just follow the instructions 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 as 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 if this method turns out effective this time:

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.

9. Use Media Creation Tool

If there is still no effect after trying all the above-listed solutions, you can try and circumvent the 0x800f0922 error by using a special Microsoft Utility called Media Creation Tool. This little software helps users find relevant updates and install them in spite of various errors without touching personal data. In order to do it, follow the steps we 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 combat the 0x800f0922 error.

Summary

We hope 0x800f0922 is no longer the issue to worry about. Although such errors may be unpleasant to see, their solution is always present to use. If you are still facing the same problem and are sure about completing the steps above correctly, we would advise you to opt for repair or clean install of the Windows system. If you have any other problems that have to be fixed, search for them on our website to find the right article you need.