Windows Security Updates failed

Question

No updates successfully installed for March. Update attempted 5 times, all failed.

Answer 1

1

Click your Start Button, type winver and hit Enter

Please provide a screenshot of the resulting dialog.

2

Open the Settings App

Go to Windows Updates

Please provide a screenshot of that window

Answer 2

Based on similar Windows update failures, follow these concrete steps to get March security updates installed:

1. Run the built‑in Windows Update troubleshooter
   1. Open Settings → System → Troubleshoot → Other troubleshooters.
   2. Run the Windows Update troubleshooter and apply any fixes it suggests.
   3. Restart the PC and try Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates again.
2. Check if the failures are expected ESU‑style conditions (mainly for older Windows versions) Some security‑only updates fail with messages like “Failure to configure Windows updates. Reverting Changes. Do not turn off your computer” and show as Failed in Update History when:
   • The edition is not supported for the specific update program, or
   • Required keys/entitlements (such as ESU MAK add‑on keys) are missing or not activated.
   If the March failures show that exact message in Update history, verify:
   • The device is running a supported edition for the update program.
   • All prerequisites listed in the corresponding KB article are installed.
   • Any required keys (for example ESU keys on older Windows) are installed and activated before retrying the update.
3. If update failures persist and system behavior is unstable When repeated update failures are accompanied by broader system issues (services not starting, Settings not opening, etc.), a repair install (in‑place upgrade) is often used to restore Windows components while keeping files and apps:
   • Download the official Windows 11 ISO from Microsoft.
   • Mount the ISO and run Setup.exe from within Windows.
   • Choose to keep personal files and apps when prompted.
   • After the repair install completes, run Windows Update again and install the March updates.
4. For new devices stuck during first‑boot updates If this is a new PC that never completes initial updates and gets stuck in a loop, use Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE):
   1. Power on the device, and as soon as the logo appears, hold the power button to force shutdown.
   2. Repeat this 2–3 times until Automatic Repair appears.
   3. Select Advanced options → Troubleshoot → Advanced options → System Restore and restore to a point before the failed update.
   4. If System Restore is unavailable or does not help, use Troubleshoot → Reset this PC → Keep my files to reinstall Windows while preserving personal data, then run Windows Update again.

If after these steps March updates still fail, capture the exact KB numbers and error codes shown in Settings → Windows Update → Update history and use those KB articles’ “Known issues” and “How to get this update” sections to verify prerequisites and supported editions before retrying.

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References:

• March 5, 2018—KB4090913 (OS Build 16299.251)
• March 9, 2021—KB5000851 (Security-only update)
• March 8, 2022—KB5011525 (Security-only update)
• March 14, 2023—KB5023754 (Security-only update)
• March 14, 2023—KB5023759 (Security-only update)
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