Encountering update errors can be frustrating, especially when they prevent your Windows 10 system from receiving the latest features, security patches, and improvements. One such error is 0x8007010b, which typically occurs during the Windows Update process. Understanding the causes and implementing effective solutions can help you resolve this error and ensure your system remains secure and up-to-date.
What is Windows Update Error 0x8007010b?
Error 0x8007010b is a Windows 10 update error code that usually indicates a problem related to file paths during the update process. This error can result from:
- Incorrect System File Paths: The update process cannot locate necessary files.
- Corrupted System Files: Essential Windows files required for the update are damaged or missing.
- Issues with Windows Update Components: Components essential for Windows Update are malfunctioning.
- Insufficient Disk Space: Not enough storage space to download and install updates.
- Third-Party Software Conflicts: Antivirus or firewall software interfering with the update.
Resolving this error involves a series of troubleshooting steps aimed at fixing file path issues, repairing corrupted system files, and ensuring the smooth operation of Windows Update components.
Methods to Fix Windows 10 Update Error 0x8007010b
Below are comprehensive methods to resolve Error 0x8007010b. Proceed with each method in order, checking whether the issue is resolved before moving to the next one.
Method 1: Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter
Windows 10 includes a built-in troubleshooter designed to identify and fix common update problems.
- Open Settings:
- Press
Win + I
to open the Settings app.
- Press
- Navigate to Update Troubleshooter:
- Click on Update & Security.
- In the left pane, select Troubleshoot.
- Click on Additional troubleshooters.
- Run the Troubleshooter:
- Under Get up and running, select Windows Update.
- Click Run the troubleshooter.
- Follow the on-screen instructions. The troubleshooter will attempt to detect and fix issues automatically.
- Restart Your Computer:
- After the troubleshooter completes, restart your PC and try updating again.
Method 2: Check and Restart Windows Update Services
Ensuring that essential Windows Update services are running correctly is vital.
- Open Services Manager:
- Press
Win + R
, typeservices.msc
, and press Enter.
- Press
- Locate Windows Update Services:
- In the Services window, scroll down to find the following services:
- Windows Update
- Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS)
- Cryptographic Services
- In the Services window, scroll down to find the following services:
- Restart Services:
- For each service:
- Right-click on the service and select Restart.
- If Restart is grayed out, click Start instead.
- For each service:
- Set Startup Type to Automatic:
- Right-click each service, select Properties.
- In the Startup type dropdown, select Automatic.
- Click Apply, then OK.
- Attempt to Update Again:
- Restart your computer and try running Windows Update.
Method 3: Reset Windows Update Components Manually
If the troubleshooter didn’t fix the issue, manually resetting the Windows Update components can help.
Step 1: Open Command Prompt as Administrator
- Search for Command Prompt:
- Press
Win + S
, typecmd
.
- Press
- Run as Administrator:
- Right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
Step 2: Stop Windows Update Services
In the elevated Command Prompt window, execute the following commands one by one:
net stop wuauserv
net stop cryptSvc
net stop bits
net stop msiserver
Press Enter after each command. You should see a message indicating that each service has stopped.
Step 3: Rename Software Distribution and Catroot2 Folders
These folders store temporary files used by Windows Update. Renaming them forces Windows to recreate them, potentially resolving issues.
ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 Catroot2.old
Press Enter after each command. If prompted, confirm the action.
Step 4: Restart Windows Update Services
Start the services you stopped earlier by executing:
net start wuauserv
net start cryptSvc
net start bits
net start msiserver
Press Enter after each command.
Step 5: Close Command Prompt and Retry Update
- Close the Command Prompt window.
- Restart Your Computer.
- Attempt to Run Windows Update Again:
- Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
- Click Check for updates.
Method 4: Run System File Checker (SFC) and Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) Scans
Corrupted system files can impede the update process. Running SFC and DISM scans helps repair these files.
Step 1: Open Command Prompt as Administrator
- Search for Command Prompt:
- Press
Win + S
, typecmd
.
- Press
- Run as Administrator:
- Right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
Step 2: Run SFC Scan
In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:
sfc /scannow
- Description: This command scans all protected system files and replaces corrupted files with a cached copy.
- Duration: The scan may take some time to complete.
Step 3: Run DISM Scan
After the SFC scan completes, run the DISM scan to repair the Windows image.
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
- Description: DISM repairs the Windows image, fixing system inconsistencies and dependencies.
- Duration: This process can take anywhere from 15 minutes to over an hour, depending on system performance and internet speed.
Step 4: Restart and Attempt Update
- Restart Your Computer.
- Run Windows Update:
- Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
- Click Check for updates.
Method 5: Ensure Sufficient Disk Space
Insufficient disk space can prevent updates from downloading and installing correctly.
- Check Disk Space:
- Open File Explorer (
Win + E
). - Click on This PC in the left pane.
- Look at the available space under each drive, especially the C: drive.
- Open File Explorer (
- Free Up Space If Necessary:
- Delete Unnecessary Files: Remove old files, downloads, or media you no longer need.
- Use Disk Cleanup:
- Press
Win + R
, typecleanmgr
, and press Enter. - Select the drive you want to clean (usually C:), and click OK.
- Check the boxes for the types of files you want to delete and click OK, then Delete Files.
- Press
- Uninstall Unused Applications:
- Go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features.
- Review and uninstall applications you no longer use.
- Move Files to External Storage:
- Transfer large files to an external hard drive or cloud storage to free up space.
- Attempt to Update Again:
- After freeing up space, try running Windows Update.
Method 6: Disable Antivirus Temporarily
Sometimes, third-party antivirus software can interfere with the update process.
- Identify Your Antivirus Software:
- Common antivirus programs include Avast, Norton, McAfee, Bitdefender, etc.
- Disable Antivirus Protection:
- Note: Disabling antivirus exposes your computer to potential threats. Ensure you disable it only temporarily.
- Right-click on the antivirus icon in the system tray (bottom-right corner).
- Select Disable or Pause Protection.
- Choose the duration to disable (e.g., 10 minutes).
- Run Windows Update:
- Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
- Click Check for updates and install available updates.
- Re-enable Antivirus:
- After the update completes, re-enable your antivirus software to maintain system security.
Method 7: Manually Download and Install the Update
If a specific update is causing the Error 0x8007010b, manually downloading and installing it can bypass the issue.
Step 1: Identify the Update
- Go to Windows Update History:
- Navigate to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > View update history.
- Find the Failed Update:
- Look for updates marked as Failed or with error code 0x8007010b.
- Note the KB number (e.g., KB5005565).
Step 2: Download the Update
- Visit the Microsoft Update Catalog:
- Go to Microsoft Update Catalog.
- Search for the KB Number:
- Enter the KB number in the search bar and press Enter.
- Select the Appropriate Update:
- Ensure you choose the correct update version based on your system architecture (32-bit or 64-bit).
- Download the Update:
- Click the Download button next to the appropriate update.
- In the popup window, click the link to start downloading the update file (
.msu
).
Step 3: Install the Update Manually
- Run the Downloaded File:
- Locate the downloaded
.msu
file in your Downloads folder. - Double-click the file to start the installation process.
- Locate the downloaded
- Follow On-Screen Instructions:
- Proceed through the installation prompts.
- Restart your computer if prompted.
- Verify Installation:
- After restarting, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > View update history to ensure the update installed successfully.
Method 8: Perform a Clean Boot
A clean boot starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs, eliminating software conflicts that could be causing the update error.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Open System Configuration:
- Press
Win + R
, typemsconfig
, and press Enter.
- Press
- Select Clean Boot:
- In the System Configuration window, go to the Services tab.
- Check the box for Hide all Microsoft services.
- Click Disable all.
- Navigate to the Startup tab and click Open Task Manager.
- In Task Manager, disable all startup items.
- Close Task Manager and click OK in the System Configuration window.
- Restart Your Computer:
- Restart to apply the clean boot settings.
- Run Windows Update:
- After rebooting, try running Windows Update again.
- Revert to Normal Startup:
- Once the update is complete or if the issue persists, revert the clean boot settings:
- Open System Configuration (
msconfig
). - In the General tab, select Normal startup.
- Click OK and restart your computer.
- Open System Configuration (
- Once the update is complete or if the issue persists, revert the clean boot settings:
Method 9: Create a New User Account
Sometimes, user profile corruption can interfere with the update process. Creating a new user account can help determine if this is the case.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Open Settings:
- Press
Win + I
to open the Settings app.
- Press
- Navigate to Accounts:
- Click on Accounts.
- In the left pane, select Family & other users.
- Add a New User:
- Under Other users, click Add someone else to this PC.
- Choose Account Type:
- Select I don’t have this person’s sign-in information.
- Click Add a user without a Microsoft account.
- Enter User Details:
- Input a username and password for the new account.
- Click Next to create the account.
- Change Account Type to Administrator:
- Click on the newly created account.
- Select Change account type.
- In the dropdown, select Administrator.
- Click OK.
- Sign In with the New Account:
- Sign out of your current account.
- Sign in using the new administrator account.
- Run Windows Update:
- Open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
- Click Check for updates and attempt to install them.
- Assess the Result:
- If updates install successfully, the issue may be related to your original user profile.
- Consider migrating your data to the new account or repairing the original account.
- Delete the New User Account (Optional):
- If the new account was only for testing, you can delete it:
- Go to Settings > Accounts > Family & other users.
- Click on the new account and select Remove.
- Follow the prompts to delete the account and its data.
- If the new account was only for testing, you can delete it:
Method 10: Use Group Policy Editor (For Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, or Education)
Adjusting settings in the Group Policy Editor can help resolve update issues, especially those related to path inconsistencies.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Open Group Policy Editor:
- Press
Win + R
, typegpedit.msc
, and press Enter.
- Press
- Navigate to Windows Update Settings:
- Go to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update.
- Configure Automatic Updates:
- Double-click on Configure Automatic Updates.
- Set it to Enabled.
- Choose your preferred configuration from the dropdown (e.g., Auto download and notify for install).
- Click Apply, then OK.
- Disable Defer Upgrades and Updates:
- In the same Windows Update folder, locate Defer Upgrades and Updates.
- Double-click and set it to Disabled.
- Click Apply, then OK.
- Force Group Policy Update:
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
- Execute the command:
gpupdate /force
- Wait for the update to complete.
- Restart Your Computer:
- Restart to apply the new Group Policy settings.
- Attempt Windows Update Again:
- Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
- Click Check for updates.
Additional Tips and Considerations
- Backup Important Data: Before performing system-level troubleshooting, always back up important files to prevent data loss.
- Ensure Stable Internet Connection: A reliable internet connection is essential for downloading and installing updates.
- Check System Date and Time: Incorrect system date and time settings can cause update issues. Ensure they are set correctly.
- Disconnect External Devices: Sometimes, external devices like USB drives or external hard disks can interfere with the update process. Disconnect them and attempt the update again.
- Review Windows Update Logs: For advanced troubleshooting, review the Windows Update logs located at
C:\Windows\WindowsUpdate.log
. They can provide detailed information about update errors.
When to Contact Microsoft Support
If none of the above methods resolve Error 0x8007010b, it might be time to seek professional assistance:
- Visit the Microsoft Support website.
- Use the Virtual Agent:
- Click on Contact Support.
- Describe your issue and follow the prompts to connect with a support representative.
- Provide Detailed Information:
- Share the steps you’ve already taken to troubleshoot.
- Include any relevant error messages or log snippets.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What does Error 0x8007010b mean?
Error 0x8007010b typically indicates a path-related issue during the Windows Update process. It suggests that the update cannot access the necessary files or directories required for installation.
Is Error 0x8007010b specific to a particular Windows 10 version?
No, this error can occur across various Windows 10 versions, especially when there are issues with system file paths, corrupted update components, or insufficient permissions.
Can third-party software cause Error 0x8007010b?
Yes, antivirus programs, firewall settings, or other third-party applications can interfere with the update process, leading to errors like 0x8007010b.
Will fixing Error 0x8007010b remove my personal files?
No, the troubleshooting steps provided focus on repairing system files and resetting update components without affecting personal data. However, it’s always recommended to back up important files before performing system-level changes.
How long does it take to fix Error 0x8007010b?
It varies depending on the method being used and the underlying cause. Simple fixes like running the troubleshooter might take minutes, while more involved solutions like SFC and DISM scans can take longer.
Do I need administrative privileges to fix this error?
Yes, most troubleshooting methods, especially those involving system files and services, require administrative privileges.
Can I fix Error 0x8007010b in Safe Mode?
Yes, performing troubleshooting steps in Safe Mode can help bypass conflicts caused by third-party applications, making it easier to resolve the error.
How do I access Safe Mode in Windows 10?
Steps to Access Safe Mode:
- Open Settings:
- Press
Win + I
, click on Update & Security.
- Press
- Navigate to Recovery:
- In the left pane, select Recovery.
- Advanced Startup:
- Under Advanced startup, click Restart now.
- Choose an Option:
- After restarting, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
- Enable Safe Mode:
- After the system restarts, press the corresponding number key to select the Safe Mode option.
Can I use PowerShell to fix the error?
Yes, PowerShell can be used to reset Windows Update components and perform system scans similar to Command Prompt. However, using Command Prompt is more straightforward for most users.
Is updating my drivers helpful in resolving this error?
Potentially, outdated or incompatible drivers can sometimes interfere with the update process. Ensuring that all drivers are up-to-date may help in resolving update-related errors.
Useful Resources
- Microsoft Support – Update Error Codes
- Microsoft Community Forums
- Windows 10 Update History
- Troubleshoot Windows Update Issues
- Using DISM to Repair Windows
- Using SFC to Repair System Files
- How to Reset Windows Update Components Manually
Conclusion
Windows 10 Update Error 0x8007010b can disrupt your system’s ability to stay updated, potentially leaving it vulnerable to security threats and missing out on important features. By following the comprehensive troubleshooting steps outlined in this guide—from running built-in troubleshooters to manually resetting update components and repairing system files—you can effectively resolve this error and restore your system’s update functionality.
Remember to approach each method methodically, starting with the simpler solutions before progressing to more advanced troubleshooting. Always ensure you have administrative privileges and back up important data before performing system-level changes. If all else fails, don’t hesitate to reach out to Microsoft Support for professional assistance.
Maintaining a well-functioning update system is crucial for the health and security of your Windows 10 PC. Regularly monitoring updates and addressing errors promptly ensures that your system remains optimized and protected against emerging threats.