Cannot enable Virtual Machine Platform: Stuck at "Downloading required files" due to a Windows Update loop (Ghost update KB5077241)

Question

System Information:

• Windows Version: 25H2 (OS Build 26200.7922) (Pro)

The Issue: I am trying to install Docker, which requires the "Virtual Machine Platform" feature to be enabled. I attempted to turn it on via "Turn Windows Features on or off". It prompted that "Windows needs files from Windows Update to finish installing some features". I chose "Let Windows Update download the files for you," but it has been stuck on the "Downloading required files" screen for over an hour with no progress.

I heavily suspect this is caused by an underlying issue with my Windows Update service. Whenever I check for updates, it tries to download "2026-02 Preview Update (KB5077241) (26200.7922)". However, this exact update is already installed on my machine (my Update History confirms it was successfully installed on 3/16/2026). Additionally, the download speed for this "ghost" update is extremely slow (stuck at ~20% after 3 hours), even though my internet connection is perfectly fine. I cannot understand why it is redownloading an installed update.

Troubleshooting Steps I've Already Tried: I have tried multiple methods to fix both the Virtual Machine Platform issue and the Windows Update loop, but none have worked:

1. Command Line Activation: Tried enabling the feature via an elevated Command Prompt/PowerShell using Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName VirtualMachinePlatform -NoRestart and DISM /Online /Enable-Feature /FeatureName:VirtualMachinePlatform /All /NoRestart. Both commands hung and failed.
2. System File Checker: Ran sfc /scannow and DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth , then retried enabling the feature, but it still failed.
3. Reset Windows Update Components: Stopped the Windows Update service, deleted the SoftwareDistribution folder, and restarted the service. Despite this, Windows Update still tries to download the already-installed KB5077241.

I can successfully turn on other features (Hyper - V, Windows Hypervisor Platform, Windows Subsystem For Linux,...) but I cannot turn on Virtual Machine Platform

Goal: I need help breaking this Windows Update loop so I can successfully download the required files to enable the Virtual Machine Platform for Docker. Any advanced troubleshooting steps to fix this Windows Update anomaly would be greatly appreciated!

Answer 1

Hi Harry Hane,

I understand how frustrating it is to be stuck with a “ghost” update, especially when you’ve already done all the right things. Since you’re probably looking for nuclear solutions with advanced troubleshooting, I’ll skip all the Windows level checks:

1 - Manually install the servicing stack and cumulative update

• Even though KB5077241 shows as installed, re‑installing it may reset metadata.
• Visit Microsoft Update Catalog > Search for the KB5077241 package for your build
• Download and install manually (double-click) > Restart your PC and check updates again.

2 - Use built-in repair option

• Open Settings > System > Recovery > Fix problems using Windows Update
• Click Reinstall now > follow the onscreen instructions to reinstall Windows.

Disclaimer: This reinstallation can fix update issues without removing your files or applications. However, we always recommend that if you have important data, you should back it up. 

3 - Perform an in-place upgrade

• Refer to Reinstall Windows with the installation media - Microsoft Support
• Navigate to the bottom of the page and expand In-place Upgrade.  
• You can also check out the instructions from one of the Moderators here: How to run In-place upgrade in Windows 11 - Microsoft Q&A

Disclaimer: An in-place install or in-place upgrade will refresh your Windows files and operating system without removing files or applications. That being said, we always recommend that if you have important data, you should back it up before making large system changes. 

Both Windows reinstallations above allow you to keep your files and apps, unlike Clean Install, which is the final option that will clear all your data. If your PC is not working right, they are often the best and quickest solutions.

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Answer 2

The behavior indicates Windows Update corruption that DISM/SFC did not fully repair. The supported next step is to repair the Windows image and Windows Update stack more aggressively, and if that fails, perform an in‑place repair/reinstall of Windows, which has resolved similar stuck‑update issues.

Follow these steps in order:

1. Run DISM with a clean source
   • Use an elevated Command Prompt.
   • Run:

          DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
     

   • If the device cannot reliably reach Windows Update, rerun DISM using a known‑good repair source (same Windows version/build) as described in the documentation:

          DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:\\<servername>\c$\windows /LimitAccess
     

   • Wait for “The restore operation completed successfully.”
2. Run System File Checker again
   • In the same elevated Command Prompt:

          sfc /scannow
     

   • When it completes, restart the PC and try enabling Virtual Machine Platform again.
3. If Windows Update/feature enablement is still stuck
   • At this point, the recommended resolution for persistent Windows Update failures and feature‑enable hangs is an in‑place repair/reinstallation of the current Windows version. This keeps files and apps but rebuilds the component store and Windows Update metadata.
   • Use the documented “reinstall the current version of Windows” procedure for Windows 11. After the reinstall completes and Windows Update finishes, enable Virtual Machine Platform again (either from Windows Features or via DISM/PowerShell).

These steps mirror how similar stubborn update failures (including cases where specific KBs repeatedly fail or re‑offer) have been resolved when standard DISM/SFC and SoftwareDistribution resets were not sufficient.

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References:

• Fix Windows Update corruptions and installation failures
• windows 11version 25H2 couldn't install, error 0x80070476 - Microsoft Q&A
• KB5079473 fail with 0x80073712 while inplace upgrade fail with 0x8007042B - Microsoft Q&A
• Latest Security Update KB5079473 (26200.8037) Fails to Install - Microsoft Q&A