Windows update issue

Question

recently my system tells me to restart the unit to complete update but always fails to complete it.

not a tech guy easy instructions would be appreciated

plus would there be any issues if i just ignore this update

Answer 1

Hi Ray,

Please mention your OS build number. You can find that by running winver.exe.

If you have the latest cumulative update (OS Build 26200.8246) installed, then you may skip the repair ("Reinstall Now") procedure.

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To investigate why the repair installation failed and rolled back, zip the following log files and upload them to OneDrive or GoFile.io and post the link here:

C:\$WINDOWS.~BT\Sources\Panther\setupact.log

C:\$WINDOWS.~BT\Sources\Rollback\setupact.log

Answer 2

Follow these steps in order, using the simplest options first.

1. Restart properly to apply the update Many updates only finish after a clean restart.

• Save all work and close apps.
• Select Start > Power > choose Update and restart (or Update and shut down if that is shown).
• Let Windows finish; do not turn the PC off while it is updating.

If it still says it needs a restart after this, continue.

2. Run the Windows Update troubleshooter This can automatically fix common update problems.
3. Select Start > Settings > System.
4. Select Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
5. Find Windows Update and select Run.
6. Follow the on‑screen steps and then restart the PC.
7. Clear and reset Windows Update components (simple method) If updates are still failing, reset the update cache.
8. Press Windows key + R, type services.msc, press Enter.
9. Find Windows Update, right‑click it, choose Stop.
10. Open File Explorer and go to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution.
11. Delete everything inside that folder (not the folder itself).
12. Go back to services.msc, right‑click Windows Update, choose Start.
13. Restart the PC and try Settings > Windows Update again.

If that does not help, use the command‑line reset:

1. In the search box on the taskbar, type command prompt.
2. Right‑click Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator, then Yes.
3. Type these commands one by one, pressing Enter after each:
   • net stop bits
   • net stop wuauserv
   • ren %systemroot%\softwaredistribution softwaredistribution.bak
   • ren %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 catroot2.bak
   • net start bits
   • net start wuauserv
4. Close Command Prompt and restart the PC.
5. Try Settings > Windows Update again.
6. About ignoring the update

• Ignoring updates is not recommended.
• Updates often include important security fixes and stability fixes.
• Skipping them can leave the PC more vulnerable to malware and other problems.

If updates keep failing after these steps, the safest option for a non‑technical user is usually to:

• Back up important files (documents, photos, etc.).
• Then use Settings > System > Recovery > Reset this PC and choose Keep my files to reinstall Windows while keeping personal data (apps and settings will be removed).

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References:

• Troubleshoot problems updating Windows

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Answer 3

Hi Ray,

Let me know if you were able to collect the two setup log files I mentioned.

Meanwhile, see if installing the latest cumulative update resolves the issue. Here are the instructions:

Download the following MSUs:

• windows11.0-kb5083631-x64_a9979e387050abf3bc9feca1a024033209cbc804.msu
• windows11.0-kb5043080-x64_953449672073f8fb99badb4cc6d5d7849b9c83e8.msu

Create the C:\Packages folder.

Move the above two MSU files to that folder.

Open Command Prompt (admin) and run this command:

DISM /Online /Add-Package /PackagePath:C:\Packages\windows11.0-kb5083631-x64_a9979e387050abf3bc9feca1a024033209cbc804.msu

Restart Windows when prompted.