Many computers are used for critical tasks or to process sensitive data. To protect a system, especially a portable system, that is running Windows, Microsoft has several security features in the latest Windows releases. Most people know about Microsoft Defender and biometric access, but in Windows 10 and Windows 11, there is also something called driver block rules.
Are Drivers Dangerous?
Device drivers are not dangerous per se. But device drivers, like many other critical components in the Windows operating system, run with a kernel-level execution priority. That means that even if drivers are not malicious, they can allow elevated control access.
Modern device drivers are all digitally signed, and often verified by Microsoft. And in the latest Windows versions unsigned drivers are not allowed to be installed unless special steps are taken to disable driver signature enforcement.
But even with a digital signature, there is no guarantee that the driver is completely safe. Digital signatures can be stolen (hacks of hardware/software companies, like Nvidia recently).
Recent malware attacks have leveraged the vulnerabilities of drivers to compromise system security. It makes a lot of sense to increase the protection of these system components.
What are Driver Block Rules?
Driver block rules are a set of rules that are recommended by Microsoft to block drivers that are malicious or not trusted. Drivers can be submitted to Microsoft for review and analysis and bad ones are added to the vulnerable driver blocklist. Hardware manufacturers and OEM partners will play a big role in keeping the rules actual and relevant.
How to use Driver Block Rules?
Microsoft is including a setting in the Windows Defender configuration to turn on this new feature called Microsoft Vulnerable Driver Blocklist. That means turning it on will activate the protection.
This new feature will be only activated by default on special Windows editions. Windows 10 S mode, and devices that have the Memory Code Integrity feature (or HyperVisor-protected Code Integrity – HVCI).
For Windows systems where the S mode or HVCI is not possible there is another option, which is using the Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC) policy. Details about how to use WDAC and the list of rules can be found on the Microsoft website.
WDAC is all about preventing apps or processes to run kernel level. Use and deployment of the rules is something that will typically be used by organizations with IT staff to implement this.
Driver BlockList Limitations
Although the concept the blocklist is good, the method strongly depends on the quality of the list. It was already found that the blocklist is not including all drivers that need to be blocked. Apparently new Windows versions were being issues a list from 2019! Microsoft already confirmed the issue and will address the problem in the Windows October updates to ensure the list is new and in sync across Windows 10 and Windows 11.
In addition, the block list is now on by default in Windows 11 (version 22H2). It also seems the option to disable the list is no longer present. Is Microsoft finally able to prevent the Blue Screens showing Stop errors caused by drivers?
For people still wanting to disable the list on Windows 11 version 22H2, there might be a workaround through the registry. But it is not an official and documented option.
The latest Windows versions have the ability to analyze and fix common problems. Microsoft has named this feature the Windows Troubleshooter. In earlier versions of Windows, Microsoft Fix It was available, which is a similar feature. But the Troubleshooter functions in Windows 10 and Windows 11 are more elaborate than this earlier solution.
In many cases, Windows will suggest running a Troubleshooter if a problem is encountered. The Troubleshooter can then be invoked automatically, or by clicking a link or button to confirm executing the problem analysis. The Troubleshooters in Windows can be executed for different categories, either device (hardware) or software related.
But it is good to know that you can also manually execute a Troubleshooter in case it is needed. Be prepared that not all problems can be fixed using a Windows Troubleshooter. Only common problems, known errors, and configuration problems can sometimes be solved. Typical steps executed by the troubleshooters are resetting configuration data and restarting services.
Windows 10
Open the Settings window from the Start menu.
In the Settings window, click the option Update & Security.
In the left-hand panel, click Troubleshoot (1).
In the right-hand panel, scroll down until you see the option Additional troubleshooters (2) and click the link.
In the list of Additional troubleshooters, find the type of problem you are trying to fix and click it.
Next, click the Run the troubleshooter button that appears.
A new window will appear that will show Windows is detecting problems. Follow any instructions that appear and click Next each time. Note: The instructions and steps will vary for each type of problem and troubleshooter.
When done, click the Close button.
Close the Settings window.
Windows 11
Open the Settings window by pressing the Windows + I keys or from the Start menu.
In the left-hand panel, select System.
In the right-hand panel, scroll down until you see Troubleshoot and click it.
Next click Other troubleshooters in the right-hand panel.
Scroll down to the Other section and then locate the Troubleshooter you want to execute.
Click the Run button in the selected Troubleshooter.
A new window will show with Windows showing “Detecting problems”. Follow the instructions in the window to complete the Troubleshooter. Click the Next button after each required step and click the Close button when done. Exmple of running the trooubleshooter for Playing Audio.
Close the Settings window.
In addition to the incorporated troubleshooters in Windows, a separate troubleshooter can be downloaded for problems related to program installation (and removal). This download is compatible with Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10. So, if your problem relates to the installation or removal of a program, try downloading and running this tool.
Tip to Fix Audio Issues
There are some problems the audio troubleshooter may not fix. A common audio problem is dealing with crackling sound, audio stutter, or popping sounds. Often unexplainable, and it can sound like there is a bad connection.
A solution that help solve such issues in Windows is the disabling of the hibernation feature. Of course this is not recommended by Microsoft as it can lead to data loss when a power problem occurs. But if you are not concerned with that and just want the best quality audio, give it a try.
If you are upgrading to Windows 11, or want to secure your PC, dealing with TPM is inevitible. We’ll explain what TPM is all about and what TPM drivers are needed for Windows.
What is TPM?
TPM is short for Trusted Platform Module. TPM is implemented using a hardware chip on the motherboard of a computer. The TPM chip is used to provide a hardware-level security to Windows. It generates encryption keys, which are not accessible from outside of the computer hardware. Most modern computers (required since 2016) will have a TPM chip on board. In some older systems a TPM chip can be added when not present. Manufacturers of TPM chips include Infineon, STMicroelectronics and Nuvoton. In the Windows device details the manufacturer can also show Intel or AMD. In older boards, it is often possible to add a TPM module using a pin header.
What is TPM used for?
As mentioned the TPM module enable implementation of hardware-level security, which typically used for encryption of data. Practically speaking, TPM is used for Windows Hello (face recognition, finder print recognition, iris login), and BitLocker (drive encryption).
TPM is partly convenience, as it is performing a task which otherwise would need to be performed by the CPU and software. And it is partly increased security, decryption of encrypted data is only possible in the system itself (containing the TPM module used for encryption).
Windows 10 already had functionality that used the TPM module, but with Windows 11, Microsoft has made the presence of TPM mandatory. To be specific, Windows 11 requires TPM version 2.0. Version 1.2, which is also present on a lot of older systems is not enough.
The differences in version 2.0 vs version 1.2 are that the new version offers better security features. If you want to know the exact details, Microsoft has more information on TPM.
Tip: Not installing a TPM 2.0 module, or disabling the TPM option (or setting it to version 1.2 compatibility) is a method to prevent a Windows 11 upgade. If you would want that.
What TPM version do I have?
Before you check the version, you need to know if TPM hardware is present. Since physically checking the motherboard is not all that practical, the best step is to check the BIOS/UEFI settings.
One thing to keep in mind is that older BIOS versions might not directly support TPM, while the motherboard does. In that case you first need to update the BIOS to access the TPM features of the motherboard.
Check BIOS/UEFI
You can access the BIOS/UEFI through the computer startup process. When rebooting, press the required key (typically F2 or Delete, but it can also be Esc, F10).
Once the BIOS/UEFI screen shows, locate the security settings and then select the TPM, or Intel Platform Trust Technology, or AMD fTPM. If none of these are available, you can safely assume your computer does not have a TPM chip. If the setting is available, make sure it is turned on. The BIOS/UEFI settings for TPM will generally also show the version.
Note: If you have the AMD fTPM option available, you may want to use a separate hardware-based TPM solution. There have been issues with the AMF fTMP solution. At least make sure to upgrade to the latest BIOS version before using fTMP.
Security Settings in Windows 10
If you are running Windows 10, you can also check the TPM status and version using the Windows Settings option.
Open Settings from the Start
In the Settings window, click Update & Security.
Next, click the Windows Security option in the left-hand pane.
Finally, click the Device security option in the left-hand pane to show the details of your TPM configuration.
If there is no TPM support, you will see “Standard hardware security not supported”. This could mean there is no TPM chip, or it is not enabled in the BIOS/UEFI.
In the case that there is a TPM chip onboard, and it is enabled, you will see the details and version supported.
Using the Trusted Platform Module Management
Windows has a special management console for the TPM. This can also be used to check the TPM version details.
In the Start menu, select the Run option (or press Windows key + R).
Then type TPM.MSC and press Enter.
This will bring up the TPM Management window, there you can see the Specification Version for your TPM module.
Window TPM Drivers
Since the TPM chip is a hardware device, Windows needs to be able to communicate with the device. For this device drivers, or TPM drivers, are required. Although there are different manufacturers of TPM chips, the drivers needed by Windows are the chipset drivers.
Installing the latest Intel chipset or AMD chipset drivers would normally be sufficient to enable support for the TPM functions within Windows 10 or Windows 11.
The Device Manager can be used to check if the drivers for the TPM device are correctly installed. The TPM device will show under the category Security devices as Trusted Platform Module 2.0 (the name can vary depending on the manufacturer). Some manufacturers provider their own driver installers for TPM modules from Nuvoton, Atmel or other third party TPM manufacturers. Check the manufacturer support pages for these.
TPM Firmware
Apart from installing the chipset device drivers, it is may also be needed to update the TPM firmware. This will make sure the TPM device is up to date with the latest security patches and supports Windows 11 requirements.
For Infineon based TPM solutions, the best place to start is their TPM update page. It contains links to different vendors with direct installers for TPM updates.
A recent vulnerability in TPM 2.0 would also require an update in the firmware. Hardware manufacturers may warn about the security risk (like Lenovo did), but the real solution is updated firmware.
After updating the firmware you need to clear the TPM. If it is not a new PC, make sure to back up your data first before performing these steps.
In the Windows Settings window Security processor details (see previous steps), click the link Security processor troubleshooting.
Under the header Clear TPM, click the button Clear TPM.
In the confirmation windows that follows, click the Clear and restart button.
With the above information, we hope you can get TPM working in Windows 10 to enable the upgrade to Windows 11. Do not forget to check the other Windows 11 requirements before you upgrade!
And as always, we recommend you keep your drivers up to date with DriverFinder.
Most Lenovo notebooks and laptops come with integrated webcams. As such, it’s important to install the correct Lenovo webcam driver for Windows.
Different Lenovo devices use different webcams. This means they require require different drivers too. Depending on the Windows version installed on your device, drivers may be included with Windows itself – or require a separate download and install.
Lenovo uses multiple hardware vendors for integrated webcams. So depending on your device model, you might need a Realtek, SunPlus, LiteOn, Chicony, Vimicro, or Ricoh camera driver. Lenovo itself will refer to the camera as an Integrated Camera driver, Easy Camera driver, or even just USB Camera driver.
Manual: Download Lenovo Webcam Drivers from Lenovo PC Support
To download drivers for your Lenovo ThinkPad, IdeaPad, Yoga, or other portable device from the Lenovo Support site, follow these steps.
Open a web browser.
In the URL, type “pcsupport.lenovo.com” and press Enter.
Wait for the support site to load. The URL should redirect to your localized version of the Lenovo support website. If not, you can change the country and language in the top-right corner of the website.
Next, enter the device model in the search box, or click the Detect Product or Browse Product to locate the support page for your Lenovo device model.
On the device support page, select the Windows version.
On the updated page, click the Drivers and Software link (1) on the left-hand side, then select Manual Update (2) and pick the driver category.
Click the ᐯ symbol (3) to show the files, and then click the download button (4).
Once the download is complete, execute the downloaded file to install the Lenovo webcam driver.
Automated: Find and Download Lenovo Webcam Drivers Using DriverFinder
If you cannot find the webcam driver for your Lenovo device, you can use DriverFinder to find the driver for you. DriverFinder automatically scans your computer devices (working or not working) and finds the right driver for your device and Windows version.
Using a third-party application can be very useful, especially when Lenovo doesn’t support your device anymore nor the Windows version you have installed your device.
Simply download the DriverFinder program installer and execute the downloaded file to install the program. Activate the program after installation, and then run a scan (click the Start Scan button).
DriverFinder will show a list of devices found in (or connected to) your computer and a list of suitable drivers for download.
Click the Download button for the Lenovo Webcam and install the driver.
Troubleshooting: Lenovo Webcam Problems
If your webcam still not working after you’ve downloaded and installed the appropriate driver?
Here are some quick troubleshooting tips to get your Lenovo webcam to work.
Make sure nothing is blocking the device. Some devices have a protection/privacy slider. (It’s also possible that someone put a protection sticker on it for privacy reasons.) Remove it.
Use the Fn key on your keyboard to turn on the webcam device. This is not applicable to all devices. Just check your keyboard for a camera symbol (in most cases it is F8).
Both Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 have Privacy Settings that can prevent access to the webcam. Settings -> Privacy -> Camera:Let Apps use my camera should be On.
After installing the driver, the device should automatically start using the driver. If not, it can help to run a Scan for hardware changes in the Device Manager (in the Action menu). This option is not available in all Windows versions.
In Device Manager, right-click the camera device and in the popup menu, select Uninstall. Reboot the device and the camera should get reinstalled. This resets the driver configuration, and can help fix the issue.
If you have been working with Windows for some time, you will probably have faced this scenario: Windows Update Failed. For some reason, the updates failed partially, or did not get installed altogether.
And although Microsoft has been trying to improve things, failed updates happen will all versions of Windows, up to Windows 10.
Windows Update Failed – Common Error Codes
The reasons why Windows Update Failed are various. And as a result, there are many error codes associated with this problem. Some are generic, while others pertain to a specific update or specific problem.
Here are some examples of error codes that are linked to failed Windows updates:
0x800705b4 – related to Windows Defender 0x800F0906, 0x800F081F, 0x800F0907 – .NET framework related 0x800F0922 – Windows 10 upgrade related 0x80240034 – downloading of update(s) failed 0x80242006 – update contains invalid metadata 0x80244018 – Internet connection related 0x80070070 – disk space related 0x80070103 – driver related
Some other examples are: 0x8007000E, 0x80D02002, 0x8007000D, 0x80246008, 0x80096004.
This list is definitely not complete. Sometimes there is a useful error description, but often it is not quite clear what caused the Windows Update process to fail.
Windows Update Failed – Common Causes
The obvious question to ask is: what caused the Windows Update to fail?
As in many cases with complex software, there can be quite a few causes. It is important to realize that the update process is basically a sequence of downloading and installing software. So availability of the source, a reliable connection for the download, and storage space for the download are the first essentials. But after that, the execution of the update installation can still cause problems.
To sum it up, the common causes for Windows Update to fail are:
Insufficient disk space – space is needed for storing the downloaded updates, as well as for the execution of the update installation.
Dependencies– An update can depend on something like a specific version of the .NET framework being installed, or a specific service having been started.
Failed previous updates – If a previous update has failed, it might have left (partial) installation files behind, or installed only partially causing problems with the next update.
Install sequence – If you have a lot of updates pending, all are downloaded in one go and installed once downloaded. If a specific sequence is required for some updates, this might fail.
Hardware incompatibility – In general, Windows prevents installing updates on incompatible systems. But there is a reason why Windows 10 is not supported on older systems. Hardware conflicts and limitations can definitely cause problems with software being installed.
Driver incompatibility – Windows 10, by default, includes device driver updates in the install process. If a new driver version is incompatible with the hardware version present, the update may fail. Trying to install a driver that is a lesser match than the installed driver can cause error 0x80070103.
Corrupt update files – This can be the result of download issues, where the update files did not completely download correctly.
Given the possible causes above, this also means that there are some relatively simple steps that can help solve Windows Update Failed situations.
Windows Update Failed – SIMPLE FIXES to Try Immediately
Try these steps – preferably in this sequence – to see if they are the cause of your Windows Update problem.
Check your disk space and free up space if needed. Although Windows Update reserves space for update files, it is still possible that a disk space limitation is the cause of the problem. Just check the available disk space on the system drive (check the Properties for the C: drive in most cases). And run a disk cleanup to free up some more space.
Restart your PC and try again – If the installation sequence is important for the updates being installed, simply reboot your computer and restart Windows Update to fix the issue.
Select which updates to install – If you are running other Microsoft software (like Office), it can help to limit Windows Update to the core only.
Using the Advanced options in Windows Update, you can tell Windows to not Receive updates for other Microsoft products when you update Windows.
Unplug external devices – In most cases, this will pertain to USB devices. Examples are printers, scanners, webcams, end external drives. Make sure not to unplug the mouse and keyboard if they are connected through a USB port, because then you can’t reboot the PC anymore.
Unplugging external devices can also help in case the Windows Update failed as a result of driver updates, or hardware incompatibility. It is also possible to disable automatic driver updates in Windows. That will prevent new driver updates from being downloaded automatically. Simply update the drivers after the Windows Update problems are resolved.
We recommend downloading DriverFinder for this. DriverFinder is a separate driver update program that will find the right – and latest – drivers for all your hardware.
After unplugging the devices, restart your PC and try Windows Update again.
Windows Update Failed – DEEP DIVE Fixes
Reset the Windows Update Cache
As with many computer actions, the Windows Update process uses temporary storage. One such element is called the Windows Update Cache. It is also referred to as the SoftwareDistribution directory.
Clearing the Windows Update cache is really nothing more than deleting the SoftwareDistribution directory (or its content). But since this file location is used by the Windows Update service, you can’t delete it when this service is running.
To delete the SoftwareDistribution directory:
In the Search box on the taskbar, type ‘command’.
In the Search results, right-click the Command Prompt.
In the popup menu, click Run as administrator.
When the User Account Control window shows, click the Yes button.
Once the Command Prompt window shows, type the following commands (press Enter after each command). net stop wuauserv net stop bits rd /s /q %windir%SoftwareDistribution net start wuauserv net start bits Note: If you are not comfortable deleting the SoftwareDistribution directory, you can rename it rather than deleting it (ren %windir%SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.bak).
Close the Command Prompt window, and then retry Windows Update.
If for some reason these steps fail or seem too complicated for you, there is another way.
To ensure the SoftwareDistribution directory can be deleted, you can start your PC in Safe Mode.
Click the Start menu icon, and in the Start menu click Settings.
In the Settings window, click the Update & Security option (last entry, so depending on the size of the window, you might need to scroll down).
Next, select the Recovery option.
And finally, click the Restart now button in the Recovery window.
Once your PC restarts, you will see the Choose an option screen. Select Troubleshoot.
In the Troubleshoot screen (next step), select Advanced options.
In the Advanced options screen, select Startup Settings.
The last step here is to click the Restart button in the Startup Settings screen.
Again the PC will reboot, after which you will see a list of options. Press the 4 or F4 key on your keyboard to start the PC in Safe Mode.
Once Windows starts, you can open a File Explorer window, navigate to the Windows folder (typically C:Windows) and delete the SoftwareDistribution folder. Tip: Press and hold Shift and then Delete to permanently delete the folder rather than moving it to the recycle bin.
After this, reboot your PC again (it will start in normal boot mode), and retry the Windows Update.
Run the System File Checker
The System File Checker, or SFC, does exactly what the name says: it will check and repair system files. This tool has been part of Windows since Windows XP and is still present in Windows 10.
The exact function of the tools is described as “Scans the integrity of all protected system files and replaces incorrect versions with Microsoft versions”. This is a useful tool to use for many Windows problems, not just if Windows Updates failed.
How to run the System File Checker.
Open a Command Prompt window with Administrator access.
For Windows 8 and later it is recommended to run the DSIM tool before running the SFC tool. DSIM (or full: Deployment Image Servicing and Management) can be executed using the command: DISM /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth Note: Like the SFC command, the DSIM command can take a bit of time to complete.
In the Command Prompt window type the command: SFC /SCANNOW and press the Enter key.
Now, wait for the command to complete. This can take some time.
Once the command completes, close the Command Prompt window and restart the computer.
Run the Windows Update again after this to check if the issue is resolved.
Download and Install Updates Manually
Although it is best to have the automatic update process install Windows updates, it is possible to download and install them manually.
Microsoft has a download page for Windows 10. This page can be used to download the Windows 10 upgrade tool and Windows 10 installation media. Useful if you need a copy of Windows 10 installation files to recover corrupted system files, or if you need to reinstall Windows 10.
Apart from that, major updates can also be downloaded from there.
For individual Windows Updates, you need to visit the Windows Update Catalog. There you can search for individual updates (KB numbers).
To know which updates to search for, simply go to the View update history (in the Windows Update settings).
Look for the entries that show “Failed” instead of “Successfully” and take note of the KBxxxxxxx number.
Now visit the Windows Update Catalog in a browser. Type the KB number in the search field, and click Search.
Use the Download button to download the update manually. If more than one result shows, you typically want to download the top one (newest date).
After you click the Download button, a new window will show with a link to the .CAB file. Click the link to download the file.
Once the file completes downloading, you can open the file. In this example, which uses an Edge browser update, simply click the Open file link. This will open a Windows Explorer window with the default download folder selected.
The file should be an .MSI file (Microsoft Installer), which can be executed by double-clicking it. You can also select it and press Enter on the keyboard.
Follow the installation instructions presented to complete the installation of the Windows Update.
Disable Your Anti-Virus Software
This solution should really only be used if all others fail since you will put your PC at risk for a short while. But in some cases, the download of Windows Update files does not complete due to Windows Defender or another AV program.
IMPORTANT: Make sure you re-enable the your anti-virus software immediately after completing the Windows Update!
How to disable Windows Defender in Windows 10.
In the Search box on the taskbar, type ‘windows defender’.
In the Search results, click the Windows Defender Firewall icon.
This will bring up the Windows Defender Firewall windows. Click the link named Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off.
In the Customize Settings window, select the radio button labeled Turn off Windows Defender Firewall (not recommended) in the Private network settings section.
Click the OK button to confirm.
Close the Windows Defender Firewall window.
With Windows Defender disabled, run Windows Update again to see if the problem is resolved.
For other Anti Virus software, please check the vendor’s instructions on how to temporarily disable their software. Many solutions have a taskbar icon which shows a popup menu when clicked (or right-clicked). The menu often has an option to disable the AV software for a limited time.
Check Your PC’s Download Settings
Disable LAN-Proxy Settings
If you’re using a proxy, try disabling it to see if it will fix the update failure issue.
In the Search box on the taskbar, type ‘internet options’.
In the Search results, click the Internet Options icon.
This will open the Internet Properties dialog box. Select the Connection tab (1).
Now click the LAN settings button (2).
This will bring up the Local Area Network (LAN) Settings window. Make sure you have the checkbox named Automatically detect settings selected.
In the same window, also make sure you have the checkbox named Use a proxy server for your LAN (…) unchecked.
Click the OK button to confirm.
Click the OK button in the Internet Properties dialog box.
After this, try Windows Update again.
Background Intelligent Transfer Service
BITS is short for Background Intelligent Transfer Service. Windows update uses this service to download updates in the background, while you can still actively use your Internet connection.
So just make sure the BITS service is running properly on your system using these steps:
In the Search box on the taskbar, type ‘services’
In the Search results, click the Services App icon.
This will bring up the Services window. Scroll down in the list until you see the Background Intelligent Transfer Service. Tip: You can widen the Name column by clicking and dragging the header separator (1).
Right-click the Background Intelligent Transfer Service line, and in the popup menu, select Properties (2).
This will bring up the BITS Properties window, with the General tab selected. Change the Startup type to Automatic (Delayed Start). Note: This change will ensure the BITS service is started automatically when the computer starts. The Delayed Start option will result in the service being started after all other services, which can reduce startup times.
Click the OK button to confirm.
Finally, close the Services window.
After this, restart your system and try Windows Update.
Hardware Devices and Drivers
As mentioned earlier, hardware device and driver compatibility issues can Windows Updates to fail.
Drivers are a critical part of the Windows operating system as they ensure all devices function properly. But that also results in driver problems often being the cause for failed Windows Updates.
Unplugging external, non-essential devices is a first step in trying to fix Windows Update failed errors (if caused by devices or drivers).
Disabling automatic driver updates in Windowsis another step to exclude drivers from being updated by Windows. This will help if the hardware device that is causing problems cannot be disconnected/removed.
After either of these two steps, run Windows Update again to see if the problem is fixed.
If none of the above works, try the Windows Update Driver Cleanup feature.
If driver updates are a reason for a Windows Update to fail, you can try to clean up existing or old driver installation files. It can be done with a single command.
Simply open a command prompt with administrator-level access (see earlier instructions in this article).
In the Command Prompt window type the command: rundll32.exe pnpclean.dll,RunDLL_PnpClean /DEVICES /DRIVERS /FILES /MAXCLEAN And then press the Enter key. Note: The command will complete without showing any output in the Command Prompt window. The result of this command is actually added to a log file C:WindowsINFsetupapi.dev.log. So if you are interested in the details, open that file and scroll down to the bottom of the file for the latest changes.
Close the Command Prompt window.
After that, run the Windows Update process again to see if your problem is solved.
Specific Tips for Windows 10
NOTE: ALL of the above troubleshooting tips can also be tried if you’re using Windows 10. The following though are specific to this particular Windows version.
In Windows 10, Microsoft has incorporated a special Update Troubleshooter. It analyzes the system for common causes and problems related to failed Windows Updates. If it finds a problem, it will try to fix it automatically.
Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter
Click the Start menu button, and in the Start menu, click Settings.
In the Settings window, select Update & Security.
Next, select Troubleshoot, and then click the link called Additional troubleshooters.
Now, click the Windows Update option under Get up and running, and then click the Run the troubleshooter button.
The Windows Update troubleshooter will start analyzing the system. Wait for it to complete. Any problems that were found (and fixed) are shown in the window.
After completion, click the option to Close the troubleshooter.
Although this might seem like a strange suggestion, pausing the updates will clear the downloaded updates. So un-pausing the updates after this might fix your problems with Windows Update.
In Windows 10 follow these instructions:
Click the Windows Start button, and then click Settings.
In the Settings window, click Update & Recovery.
Next, select Windows Update.
In the Window Update window, select Advanced options.
In the Advanced options screen, scroll down until you see the Pause updates option.
Click the Select date control and simply select a date in the future. Since we are just pausing the updates briefly, the duration of the pause period does not matter.
No need to save anything. Once you changed the date, close the Settings window and restart your PC.
After the PC restarts, go to the Settings again, select Update & Recovery, and then Windows Update.
It will show Updates paused. Click the Resume updates button to un-pause the Windows Update process.
Windows will immediately start checking for updates again and hopefully complete downloading and installing updates after this.
Windows Update Failed – Still Not Solved?!?
If Windows Update still keeps failing, try skipping an update.
Of course, this needs to be assessed on an individual scenario basis. Critical security updates should not be skipped, while optional, non-essential updates can be.
If nothing works, and critical updates fail, or too many updates fail, the only real solution might be to do a fresh install of Windows on your system.
![[Easy Fixes] Windows Update Failed](https://driverfinderpro.com/driver-guide/wp-content/webp-express/webp-images/uploads/windows-update-failed.jpg.webp)
