Windows 11 2025-03 Cumulative Update Preview for Windows 11 Version 24H2 for x64-based Systems (KB5053656) downloads really slow

Question

So, I've been trying to update my Win11 PC, but no matter what I've tried it just downloads so slow, any other updates work just fine, but the 2025-03 Cumulative Update Preview for Windows 11 Version 24H2 for x64-based Systems (KB5053656) downloads slowly, keep in mind I just fresh installed this Windows 11 install
Windows 11 (build 26100.2033) 24H2

Answer 1

Hi, I am Dave, I will help you with this.

KB5053656 is an optional preview update, it is basically an early beta release of the update for next month.

The optional preview updates can be hard to install sometimes and may contain bugs, and there is no need to install the optional preview updates.

If that update is continually failing, below that update is a switch to 'Get the latest updates as soon as they are released', disable that option and restart your PC, that will stop the optional update continually trying to install and wait for the full update to be released.

Answer 2

Hello, i tried installing the update before (KB5053598) and got this error after waiting for so long for it to finish: 0x800f0991

Answer 3

For the KB5053598 update, try using the offline installer from the Microsoft catalog to install that update.

https://catalog.sf.dl.delivery.mp.microsoft.com...

Answer 4

The provided installer errors: 0x800f0838

Answer 5

Open a Command Prompt as Administrator

(Click your Start Button, type cmd, right click Command Prompt and choose 'Run as Administrator')

Run these commands one at a time and press Enter after each command.

net stop wuauserv

net stop cryptSvc

net stop bits

net stop msiserver

Ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old

Ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 Catroot2.old

net start wuauserv

net start cryptSvc

net start bits

net start msiserver

Type exit to quit Command Prompt, restart your PC and try installing that update again.