iamtheit
Back Share
Fix

Update Windows

Step 1 of 3

Open Windows Update

Click Start, open Settings, then Windows Update.

The simulation shows Windows in English, like most laptops.

  1. Open Windows Update

    Click Start, open Settings, then Windows Update.

    SettingsWindows Update

  2. Check for updates

    Press Check for updates, then Download & install if it appears. Plug in the charger first.

  3. Restart when it asks

    Save your work, then press Restart now. It may restart more than once.

Technician fixes (advanced)

The simple steps didn’t help? A technician would try these next, in this order. Stop as soon as the problem is fixed. Commands marked “as administrator”: right-click Start › Terminal (Admin).

  1. Run the Windows Update troubleshooter

    Settings › System › Troubleshoot › Other troubleshooters › Windows Update › Run. It resets the update services and fixes common errors automatically. Note the error code it shows (for example 0x80070002) if the update still fails; search that exact code on Microsoft’s support site.

  2. Make room: updates need space

    Big updates need 10–20 GB free on C:. Free space first (Settings › System › Storage › Temporary files), and unplug extra USB drives during the update.

  3. Reset the update cache (as administrator)

    Stops the update services, sets aside the downloaded update files (which may be corrupt) and starts fresh. Windows downloads the updates again. Then Settings › Windows Update › Check for updates.

    net stop wuauserv
net stop bits
net stop cryptsvc
Rename-Item C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
Rename-Item C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old
net start cryptsvc
net start bits
net start wuauserv
    If a Rename-Item line says the folder is in use, restart the laptop and run all the lines again. The .old folders can be deleted a week later.

  4. Repair the Windows component store (as administrator)

    Many update errors come from damaged system components. DISM downloads clean copies from Windows Update; sfc then repairs system files. Restart afterwards and try the update again.

    DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
sfc /scannow

  5. Big version update stuck: use the official assistant

    For a feature update (for example 24H2 to 25H2) that keeps failing, download the Windows 11 Installation Assistant from microsoft.com/software-download/windows11. It upgrades in place and keeps your files and apps.

    Only download it from microsoft.com.
Coming soon

Still not fixed?

In the next update you can tell us what happened, and our AI helper will suggest another way. Until then, restart the device and go through the steps once more.