"The ElevationService service failed to start" on restart following update "KB5012170"

Mike -

Where did I say to wipe it out and start over? It is not mentioned in my post, much less the primary thing. If you read my first step which was the minor repair to System Restore to a point before this happened, it is like a time machine and not even slightly destructive. This is explained in what I wrote out and the illustrated tutorial which you only had to click. Plus you could have asked me instead of misrepresenting the step which I have given tens of thousands of times in forums without a single problem and certainly not wiping out anything. System Restore is always the first line of defense.

The very last resort step I gave if you read it is a Repair Install which reinstalls Windows while saving your files and apps in place, brings it up to the latest version by the most stable method, takes about an hour and resolves most problems: https://www.tomshardware.com/how-to/fix-windows.... What sounds destructive about that? And it is the last resort, not the primary thing.

Please do not misrepresent what one of the most experienced experts on the web suggests, when all you have to do is read my clearly written post or the illustrated tutorial I always attach to all steps, to know the truth. I take too much care with my posts for twelve years in forums, during which I have won the highest award in the tech field for ten of those years.

I am standing by here to help if you want to interact with the steps I gave which will always solve your problem.

Hi Mike. I'm Greg, 10 years awarded Windows MVP, here to help you.

When you have destabilizing updates See if you can System Restore to a point before the problem started:

https://www.windowscentral.com/how-use-system-r...

System Restore is your first line of defense and can take you back to a point before a problem began like a time machine. If it doesn't help then you can undo it. Read about it first in the tutorial above and then try restoring to just before this started. If System Restore is not enabled on C drive do that now so it's available in the future.

If the problem repeats or System Restore doesn't work then check which Windows Updates were installed at Settings > Update & Security > Windows Updates > Update History, uninstall them there or System Restore again, then immediately check for and block the Updates with the Hide Updates tool explained here: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/8280-hide-s...

2. If it reinstalls and causes the same problem (about 50% of the time) and you want to try to troubleshoot it try these error fixes first:

https://windowsreport.com/fix-service-control-m...

(Avoid ad links which intrude into editorial copy, especially avoid Restoro, PC Repair Tool and Reimage ads)

https://www.techpout.com/fix-service-control-ma...

https://www.saintlad.com/service-control-manage...

3. What we have found is that in Windows 10 what matters most is the quality of the underlying install, the same reason enthusiasts will never run Factory or Upgrade installs because they know there would be endless issues.

The proof of this is that there have been zero return problems by millions who have done the gold standard Clean Install here: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki.... It is a better install than any amount of money could buy and a great learning experience that will make you permanently the master of your PC because you will learn what works best and how to apply it with your own hands. So when you get time I'd study over that to see if it's something I can help you do.

4. Unitil then you can Go over Windows using this checklist to make sure the install is set up correctly, optimized for best performance, and any needed repairs get done: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

Start with Step 4 to turn off Startup freeloaders which can conflict and cause issues, then Step 7 to check for infection the most thorough way, then step 10 to check for damaged System Files, and also Step 16 to test a new Local Admin account to replace yours which may be corrupted. Then if necessary continue with the other steps to go over your install most thoroughly.

5. Update your drivers and BIOS/UEFI firmware from the PC or motherboard maker's Support Downloads web page, using the full model number, Serial Number or Dell Service Tag on sticker. Compare the latest drivers available for download with the ones presently installed in Device Manager reached by right clicking the Start button. Make sure you have the latest BIOS or UEFI firmware, Chipset, Display (Video), Sound, USB3, Bluetooth, Network and all other drivers, or else download and install the latest now.

Updating drivers from the Device Manager or Windows Update is rarely enough. The most basic thing we need to learn to maintain a PC is keep the latest manufacturer's drivers installed from their Support Downloads web page. Everything else depends on this.

6. If nothing else works then do a Repair Install, by installing Media Creation Tool, open tool and choose to Upgrade Now. This reinstalls Windows while keeping files, programs and most settings in place, is the most stable method to advance to the latest version, and solves most problems. Tutorial here: https://www.tomshardware.com/how-to/fix-windows...

Feel free to ask back any questions. Based on the results you post back I may have other suggestions if necessary.

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Thank you for your response. I took a different path and am sure it doesn't solve my problem, but in all honesty, your primary recommendation creates even more problems for me.

I ran SFC /SCANNOW which said all was good

I ran DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /AnalyzeComponentStore with said there was one thing that needed fixing.

I ran DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup which uploaded the fix.

I ran DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /AnalyzeComponentStore again and it said all was fine.

I ran DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth and it said all was good.

I rebooted and the errors no longer appeared though the event log did through a new error about Auto Time saying that the file was not correct. (The service was listed as manual and it did start when I ran services.msc.)

Your primary suggestion (wipe it out and start over) might work for those who don't have a vast amount of work product on the system with software than cannot be reinstalled as the original source code is old and the original install media is missing or the service that authenticates the serial number from the original verder no longer works. (Or as in the case of MS, I have run out of my legal reinstalls of Office 2013 and can't reinstall it.) I run multiple backups and clones to protect myself from losing everything. That is not to mention all the custom formats died to things like the highly modified default settings in Word and Excel. Even if I could get past all the problems, I would be rebuilding everything for weeks, A clean install is just not happening.

As it is, I got through this one, but the auto-update for Windows 10 is supposed to be for security only now, so why am I getting these other updates?

(BTW, this PC's system-board does not support TPM, and I am not upgrading as I am retired with a limited income. At this point, if I lose Windows and can't get the productivity software back my best option is to install Debian Linux, which I have running on my laptop and home server.)