I get an error message through windows update when downloading a cumulative update

Question

HI I was wondering if I could ask a question. You see recently I upgraded to the windows 10 November 2021 witch is 21h2. Every since i upgraded to the lasted feature update some commutive updates install while some do not install and have problems or issues. Right now the latested commutive update comes up with a message saying some files are missing or having problems. We we'll try to download the update later. Error code: 0x80073712 the latested version of the commutive update is December 14, 2021 the rest of the information is below:

December 14, 2021—KB5008212 (OS Builds 19041.1415, 19042.1415, 19043.1415, and 19044.1415)

I should mention that this is happening when windows update starts. The security defender definitions come through and download and install with no issues at all. Also when the cumulative update is downloading it stays at 0% for a long time before it downloads. When it is downloaded the following error message comes up saying the following over and over again. I have tried going to the Microsoft Catalog and tried to download it from their several times when I push on the download button to download the cumulative update i get a normal window but it comes up with a red X in the corner and it says cannot download update. It says this over and over again as well.

I should also mention that a couple months ago I had to reset this desktop because I was getting the odd message that windows could not find a certain file.

Could this effect the windows update process that some files could not download and installed on this desktop. The main reason I am asking this is because the above cumulative update has security and quality updates with it and I would like to keep my windows 10 desktop secure.

Before the above started happening i was having trouble installing a preview update. But this seems to have been installed ok.

I have tried several times to use the trouble shooter for windows update and when it is done scanning the message says could not determine any problems but you can try to investigate other solutions.

I have tried going into the command prompted as an administer and I have tried doing a sfc scan but i get an error saying that this function could not be started. I have also tried doing a Dism.exe/online -cleanup

but once I again i get an error saying that this file does not exist.

But I should say that I can surf the internet with no problems no error messages, and I can download other legit programs with no problems or issues at all.

I should say that I am not interested in playing with the registry at all. I am not comfortable doing this.

Some other information

Windows 10 home

64 bit operating system

version 21h2

I should also say that I went to the Microsoft website and seeked out the november 2021 feature update from the web. I did not download the feature update through windows update. The feature update downloaded and installed without any issues at all.

Thanks for your help and your advice.

Answer 1

I have been having the same problems with Win 10 Cumulative update 21H1 or 21H2, but my error message is

(0x800f081f). I also get the red text in the windows update page saying that some security or missing files may be causing updates to fail? then it says go to Windows Support, etc.

I am going to follow the steps above as you mentioned. I have done these steps in the past on previous computers when having problems. I will follow up when i am done, with a positive or negative response.

thanks.

Answer 2

HI Net Xplorer

I typed the command scannow correctly and this is what came up in the screenshot the error is at the bottom of the screenshot.

thanks.

Answer 3

Look At how The command is typed... there is a space after sfc: sfc /scannow And Then press enter.

Answer 4

HI Robison I was able to do the first step with the chdsk/f/r. This function went fine no errors were found.

When I tried to do the scannow function in step 2. I got an error message saying the following message in the powershell Administer.

Their is a screen shot below of the error message when I put the scannow command in the powershell.

Answer 5

Hi, I'm Robinson, and I’m happy to help you today.

I know how frustrating this may be for you but I'll do my very best to help you.

Here is some troubleshooting that you can do to identify where is the problem. If you receive an error message, please attach a screenshot.

Step 1 - Checks the file system and file system metadata of the hard drive for logical and physical errors.

1-Right-Click on Start then click on Windows Powershell (admin)

2- Type these commands.

chkdsk c: /f /r (and press Enter)

3-This command will require a reboot to run

Step 2 -Check if doesn't have any corrupt files on the windows.

1-Right-Click on Start then click on Windows Powershell (admin)

2- Type these commands.

sfc /scannow (and press Enter)

Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth (and press Enter)

Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth (and press Enter)

3- The DISM tool will report whether the image is healthy, repairable, or non-repairable. If the image is repairable, you can use the /RestoreHealth (Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth) argument to repair the image.

Step 3 - Clearing the folder where all of the

update files are stored will force Windows Update to download fresh files.

Here how to clear update database cache, reset windows update components to the default setup.

1-Press Windows + R, type services.msc and ok to open windows services.

2-Scroll down and look for windows update service.

3-Right-click on it and select stop.

4-Also, do the same with BITs (Background Intelligent Transfer Service) and Superfetch (superfetch now called sysmain) right-click and select stop.

5-Now Go to the following location C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download.

6-Delete everything inside the download folder, but do not delete the folder itself.

To do so, press CTRL + A to select everything and then press Delete to remove the files.

Again open windows services and restart the services (windows update, BITS) which you previously stopped.

7-Reboot, and check for updates from settings, update & security.