How to prevent/remove a specific update from trying to install ?

Question

Hello,

I have a Windows 10 Pro and I would like to know if it is possible to remove/prevent a specific update from my list of updates ?

The reason I want to do that is because a specific update:

2024-01 Security Update for Windows 10 Version 22H2 for x64-based Systems (KB5034441) always fails.

I know the issue, but sadly, no solution exists that works for me. This is an issue with windows RE size, but my Recovery disk cannot expand because of some unmovable file at the end of C partition which prevent it to shrink.

Anyway, I would like to upgrade to Windows 11, but it also fails with "We can't install some updates because other updates are in progress. We will try installing later."

Though the only update in progress comes from the always failing KB5034441, so the upgrade would also fail again next time.

I'd like to remove completely KB5034441 update to be able to upgrade to Windows 11.

KB5034441 seems to be a windows 10 update, so I think it would be meaningless or already included in built-in Windows 11 so hopefully, removing it won't impact much.

Thanks

Answer 1

Hi, Sun Lay Gagneux

Welcome to the Microsoft Community.

To prevent a specific update from installing on your Windows 10 Pro system, you can use the "Show or hide updates" troubleshooter package provided by Microsoft. Here's how you can do it:

1. Download the "Show or hide updates" troubleshooter package from the Microsoft website.
2. Run the troubleshooter and click on 'Advanced' and make sure to check the box for "Apply repairs automatically."
3. Click Next, and then choose 'Hide updates.'
4. Select the update you want to prevent from installing (in your case, KB5034441) from the list provided and click Next.
5. Complete the troubleshooter steps, and the selected update should be hidden and will not be installed.

Please note that hiding updates should be done with caution as they often contain important security patches. Since you're planning to upgrade to Windows 11, which might not be affected by the same issue, this could be a temporary solution until you successfully upgrade.

If this tool still doesn't work, you can try the following command:

Reset Windows Update components: This includes stopping the Windows Update service, clearing the Windows Update cache, and then restarting the service.

There are several steps involved in resetting Windows Update components. Here's a guide on how to do this:

• Stop Windows Update services: net stop wuauserv net stop cryptSvc net stop bits net stop msiserver
• Rename the SoftwareDistribution and Catroot2 folders: Ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old Ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 Catroot2.old
• Restart Windows Update services: net start wuauserv net start cryptSvc net start bits net start msiserver

You must run these commands in Command Prompt or PowerShell with administrator privileges. After running these commands, restart your computer.

For the issue with the Windows 11 upgrade, you might want to try the following:

• Download Windows 11 (microsoft.com)
• Mounting the ISO file. This will perform an upgrade of your current operating system to Windows 11.
• Go to the location where you downloaded the ISO file. Then, right-click the ISO file and select Properties.
• On the "General" tab, click "Change…" where it says, “Opens with:" and select Windows Explorer for the program you would like to use to open ISO files and select Apply.
• Right-click the ISO file and select Mount.
• This will create a “virtual” bootable disc. Double-click on it to view the files within. Double-click  setup.exe to start Windows 11 setup.

Remember to back up all important data before attempting to upgrade your operating system to avoid any potential data loss.

If there is anything not clear, please do not hesitate to let me know.

Best Regards

Martin | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Answer 2

When I attempt to download the utility in your hotlink I get a message stating that Windows won't download it because it could harm my computer. What the hell??? First Microsoft publishes an update that is broken, then it won't allow me to do anything about it after they refuse to fix it themselves. I would like one of two things to happen:

1. Microsoft needs to fix their update,
2. Microsoft needs to allow me to use the prescribed resource to fix THEIR broken update or refund me the $120 I spent on my Windows 10 Pro license.

Answer 3

When I try to rename these files, it tells me they are open.

Ren C:\\Windows\\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old

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

The only thing I have open is Edge. I'm beyond frustrated with the Security Update that has failed to install since May,

Answer 4

You may need to boot into Safe Mode, then stop the CryptSvc per above to be able to rename that folder.

It may be all for nought though as when I followed these instructions, the first check for updates took quite a long time to complete and then it still tried to download kb5034441.

My Recovery partition was blank when I received my laptop (secondhand corporate). My next step will be to remove the partition entirely.
UPDATE: Deleting the partition has made no difference.

Rgds

S

Answer 5

What does this do? Does it set some registry value to omit the specific KB patch?

rgds Christian