Windows 10 - feature update 20H2 failed to install

Question

Hello,

I have a Dell XPS 15 (7590) with Windows 10 Home and I've tried to install Feature Update 20H2, but it keeps failing.
This is my update history, the most frequent code I got is 0x800700a1.

I tried using Windows Update Assistant, as I read others solved the problem this way, but for me it didn't work.

What else should I try?

Thank you !

Answer 1

Hello there，

As far as I research, this code 0x800700a1 represents driver problem.

The windows error code 0x800700A1 is generally generated due to errors reported by the driver itself meaning that this error is a software problem or compatibility issues between the hardware installed and the system being used. And it is very common and it is occurs when the operating system and the drivers installed are not companionable with each other.

You may go to Device Manager and update the device driver before performing below two methods.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/update-drivers-in-windows-10-ec62f46c-ff14-c91d-eead-d7126dc1f7b6

• Method A

1.Windows update troubleshooter
Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Windows Update > Run the troubleshooter.

2.Reset windows update components
Open a command prompt with Administrative Privileges, run the following:

net stop wuauserv
net stop cryptSvc
net stop bits
net stop msiserver

Open File Explorer go to the C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download folder.
Press CTRL+A and press Delete to remove all files and folders.
Go to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore
Press CTRL+A and press Delete to remove all files and folders.

Back to the command prompt to restart all the services

net start wuauserv
net start cryptSvc
net start bits
net start msiserver

3.Using CHECK FOR UPDATES helps you to automatically install the demand updates.

• Method B

Download the media creation tool from this website and follow the detailed instruction.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

Best Regards,
Samson Peng

Answer 2

I am in same (general) situation here. I've tried all the tricks from above, youtube etc (net stop/start... media creation tool etc). Every time this update forces me to let it try to install it fails (i.e. "rolls back the install" after 30+ minutes of attempting the install) and in a few weeks it forces me to let it (fail) to install again. I'm too exhausted w/this to bother trying to find the error or log details now ... I'd go back to Windows 7 if I could. Apparently this whole thing is going to repeat this weekend as my Windows is once again saying "you're at end of service, install/restart required!" message. SMH.

This is seriously annoying!! Will someone at Microsoft please fix this. Clearly it's an issue for many people!
*If anyone finds a working solution please share. Thanks in advance.*

Answer 3

For me, it takes about 30-35 days of failed installs until I can get LAST month's update package installed. So, I remain always a month behind.

Answer 4

In the same boat here.
This is why I switched all of our work and family computers from PC to MAC several years ago.
Unfortunately, I have to maintain one PC to view evidence videos stored on proprietary software that only runs on Microsoft Windows.
I literally spend more time trying to update and maintain this ONE Windows 10 PC, than I spend to update and maintain 17 MACS.
Microsoft is just a garbage company, and Windows is just a garbage product.
I would throw it out in a heartbeat if I didn't have to maintain at least ONE PC to review evidence.

I have been trying to find a way to update Windows 10 to version 20H2 for more than 6 months.
Despite tens of thousands of people posting on the internet about this exact same problem, Microsoft has done exactly NOTHING.
Beyond frustrating.
I too have tried all the tips and tricks listed in this and other online articles to no avail.
If someone figures out a solution, PLEASE take the time to post it.
There are literally tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of people stuck with this problem, and Microsoft seems to have zero inclination to fix it.

Answer 5

RobinW-9511 ,

That's great news.

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