Last updated on July 9th, 2019
Microsoft released on May 21, 2019, the last major update for Windows 10, known as 'April 2019 Update version 1903' or 'Cumulative Update for Windows 10 version 1903'. The update will be available to download and install via the Windows Update feature (Settings -> Update & security -> Windows Update -> Check for updates), for everyone in the next days.
As usually happens with many Windows updates, in some PCs, the Windows 10 v1903 update, failed to download and install for several reasons. In this tutorial you 'll find several solutions to resolve the following problems in Windows 10 1903 update installation:
At times, Windows users do face problems and issues while installing Windows Updates. Microsoft has made it easy for the layman computer user to troubleshoot and fix Windows Update errors. The Windows 10 May 2019 Update launched on May 22, and while Microsoft has gone to great lengths to try to make sure that this latest major update to Windows 10 is not plagued by the same level of. Here's how Microsoft can fix its Windows 10 update issues. ZDNet's Ed Bott and Mary Jo Foley make some proposals that could help Microsoft solve its Windows 10 version 1809 issues in the future.
- Windows 10 v1903 update fails to install with error code 0x8007000E.
- Windows 10 v1903 cannot be downloaded (stuck on 'Pending Download')
- Windows 10 v1903 freezes while installing.
- The Windows 10 v1903 installation failed at the SECOND_BOOT phase with an error during BOOT operation with error 0xC1900101 – 0x40017.
- Windows 10 v1903 update failed to install with error 0x80242016.
How to fix: May 2019 Feature Update for Windows 10 version 1903 Failed to Install.
Important: Before proceeding to the methods below, to troubleshoot the Windows 10 Update v1903 installation issues, perform the following actions and then install the update:
1. Make Sure that you have enough free disk space (at least 32GB) before installing the update. How to Free Up Disk Space with Disk Cleanup.
2.Download and install the latest Servicing stack update for Windows 10 version 1809.
3.Remove all external storage media, such as USB drives and SD cards. Also remove any USB connected devices that you don't need. (e.g. USB Printer, USB Wireless Mouse or Keyboard Receiver, USB Wireless Network Card, etc.).
4. Temporarily disable or completely uninstall any 3rd party antivirus or security program from your system.
5. If you have enabled the Developer Mode on your system, then proceed to disable and uninstall the Windows Developer Mode, until you install the update. To do that:
1. Make Sure that you have enough free disk space (at least 32GB) before installing the update. How to Free Up Disk Space with Disk Cleanup.
2.Download and install the latest Servicing stack update for Windows 10 version 1809.
3.Remove all external storage media, such as USB drives and SD cards. Also remove any USB connected devices that you don't need. (e.g. USB Printer, USB Wireless Mouse or Keyboard Receiver, USB Wireless Network Card, etc.).
4. Temporarily disable or completely uninstall any 3rd party antivirus or security program from your system.
5. If you have enabled the Developer Mode on your system, then proceed to disable and uninstall the Windows Developer Mode, until you install the update. To do that:
- Go to Settings -> Update and Security -> For developers -> Select Sideload apps and then click Yes to confirm.
- Then, navigate to Settings –> Apps -> Manage optional features -> Windows Developer Mode –> click Uninstall and Yes to confirm.
- Restart your PC and try to update.
6.Disable Drive Encryption: If you have enabled the device encryption on your system (BitLocker, VeraCrypt), then proceed and decrypt the drive C: before installing the update.
7. Try to fix the Windows Updates problems by running the Windows Update Troubleshooter. To do that, proceed as follows:
7. Try to fix the Windows Updates problems by running the Windows Update Troubleshooter. To do that, proceed as follows:
- Go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Windows Update.
- OR, (alternatively),download and run the Windows Update Troubleshooter.
Method 1. Force Windows to Download again the Windows 10 Update v1903.
Method 2. Manually Upgrade Windows 10 to version 1903.
Method 3. FIX Windows corruption errors with DISM & SFC tools.
Method 4. Install Windows 10 v1903 Update with an IN-Place Upgrade.
General troubleshooting guide for Windows 10 updates.
Method 1. Force Windows 10 to Download the Update v1903 from Scratch.
Step 1. Delete the Windows Update folder.
The most common cause in Windows update problems, is the incomplete download of the update. At this case you have to delete the Windows Update Store folder (C:WindowsSoftwareDistribution), in order to force Windows to re download the update.
To delete the Windows Update Storage folder:
1. Simultaneously press the Win + R keys to open the run command box.
2. Type the following command and press OK.
2. Type the following command and press OK.
- services.msc
3. From the list of services, at the right pane locate the Windows Update service.
4. Right click on 'Windows Update' service and choose Stop. *
5.Close 'Services' window.
4. Right click on 'Windows Update' service and choose Stop. *
5.Close 'Services' window.
Spotflux download free. * Note: If you cannot stop the Windows Update service, then:
a. Double click on it to open its Properties.
b. Set the Startup type to Disabled and click OK.
c. Restart your computer.
d. After restart, continue below.
b. Set the Startup type to Disabled and click OK.
c. Restart your computer.
d. After restart, continue below.
6. Open Windows Explorer and navigate to C:Windows folder.
7. Locate and then Delete the SoftwareDistribution folder. *
7. Locate and then Delete the SoftwareDistribution folder. *
* Notes:
1. If you cannot delete the folder with error 'Folder in use – try again', then restart Windows in 'Safe Mode' and repeat the procedure.
2. If you have disabled the Windows Update service (Startup type = Disabled), then go to services and set the Startup type to Automatic.
1. If you cannot delete the folder with error 'Folder in use – try again', then restart Windows in 'Safe Mode' and repeat the procedure.
2. If you have disabled the Windows Update service (Startup type = Disabled), then go to services and set the Startup type to Automatic.
8.Restart your computer.
Step 2. Download again and try to install the Update v1903.
1. After the restart, go to Start > Settings > Update & Security.
2. Click Check for updates.
3. Finally let Windows to download and install the update again.
2. Click Check for updates.
3. Finally let Windows to download and install the update again.
Method 2. Install the Windows 10 version 1903 using the Upgrade Assistant.
The second method, to resolve the issues while downloading or installing the Windows 10 April 2019 update v1903, is to download and install the update by using the 'Windows Update Assistant': To do that:
1. Follow the instructions at Step-1 from Method-1 above and delete the 'SoftwareDistribution' folder.
2. Navigate to Windows 10 download site and click the Update now button.
3. When asked, click to Run the 'Windows10Upgrade9252.exe' file to start the installation immediately, or click the Save button to run the installer later.
4. Finally click the Update Now button and follow the on screen prompts to update your system to the latest release of Windows 10, version 1903.
Method 3. FIX Windows corruption errors with DISM & SFC tools.
The next, method to resolve the Windows 10 Update 1903 installation problems, is to repair the Windows 10 system files, by following the procedure below:
1. Open command prompt as administrator. To do that:
1. In the Search box type: cmd or command prompt
2. Right click on the command prompt (result) and select Run as Administrator.
2. Right click on the command prompt (result) and select Run as Administrator.
2. At the command prompt window, type the following command & press Enter:
- Dism.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /Restorehealth
3. Be patient until DISM repairs component store. When the operation is completed, (you should be informed that the component store corruption was repaired), give this command and press Enter:
- SFC /SCANNOW
4. When SFC scan is completed, restart your computer.
5. Try to update your system again.
5. Try to update your system again.
Method 4. Install Windows 10 v1903 Update with an in-place Upgrade.
Another method that usually works, to fix Windows 10 update problems, is to perform a Windows 10 Repair-Upgrade, by installing the update from a Windows 10 installation media. To do that:
Microsoft Windows 10 Update Problem
1. Download and run the Media Creation tool and create a USB Windows 10 installation media.
2. Disconnect from Internet.
3. Plug the USB media on your PC and run the 'Setup.exe' from the USB, to update your system. *
2. Disconnect from Internet.
3. Plug the USB media on your PC and run the 'Setup.exe' from the USB, to update your system. *
* Note: The detailed instructions to perform that task, can be found on this article: How to repair Windows 10.
That's it! Which method worked for you?
Let me know if this guide has helped you by leaving your comment about your experience. Please like and share this guide to help others.
Let me know if this guide has helped you by leaving your comment about your experience. Please like and share this guide to help others.
If this article was useful for you, please consider supporting us by making a donation. Even $1 can a make a huge difference for us in our effort to continue to help others while keeping this site free:
If you want to stay constantly protected from malware threats, existing and future ones, we recommend that you install Malwarebytes Anti-Malware PRO by clicking below (we do earn a commision from sales generated from this link, but at no additional cost to you. We have experience with this software and we recommend it because it is helpful and useful):
Full household PC Protection - Protect up to 3 PCs with NEW Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Premium!
Last updated on July 9th, 2019
This troubleshooting guide contains several methods to help users to fix Windows 10 Update problems such as errors during downloading or installing updates or other issues that may occur while upgrading Windows 10 to a most recent version (build).
Many Windows 10 PC owners face several problems during the installation of a new critical Windows 10 update and in most cases, the update installation error message, such as the 'Something Happened – Windows 10 Installation Has Failed' or the 'Feature update to Windows 10 Failed to install', does not help solve the problem. (I never understood why updating a system that works normally should be so time-consuming and often unsuccessful).
Unfortunately, there is not only one method to solve all the different problems that may occur during updating or upgrading Windows 10, so I decided to write this guide which includes all the methods that I have used from time to time to solve similar problems.
Windows 10 update or upgrade issues that were fixed with this troubleshooting guide:
Windows 10 Update Installation is stuck/freezes
Windows 10 Upgrade Installation is stuck/freezes
Windows 10 Installation Error: Something Happened – Windows 10 Installation Has Failed.
Feature update to Windows 10 Failed to install.
Windows 10 Update fails to install.
Windows 10 could not complete the installation of an update.
Windows 10 cannot find or download updates.
Windows 10 Upgrade Installation is stuck/freezes
Windows 10 Installation Error: Something Happened – Windows 10 Installation Has Failed.
Feature update to Windows 10 Failed to install.
Windows 10 Update fails to install.
Windows 10 could not complete the installation of an update.
Windows 10 cannot find or download updates.
How to Solve Windows 10 Update or Upgrade Problems
Important: Before applying the methods mentioned below to troubleshoot Windows 10 Update/Upgrade issues, proceed and apply the following steps and then try to update Windows 10 again.
Step 1. Ensure that you have signed in with an account with administrative privileges.
Step 2. Make sure that the Date, Time & Regional settings are correct.
Step 3. If you have enabled the device encryption on your system (BitLocker, VeraCrypt), then proceed and decrypt the drive C: before installing the update.
Step 4. Open Windows Services and set the following services to start Automatically at Windows Startup (Startup type=Automatic).
- App Readiness
- Background Intelligent Transfer Service
- Cryptographic Services
- Windows Modules Installer
- Windows Update
Step 5. Disconnect all the peripheral devices that you don't need (e.g. USB Drives, SD Cards, USB Wireless Mouse or Keyboard Receiver, USB Wireless Network Card, Printer etc.).
Step 6.Turn off the Developer Mode:
- Go to Settings -> Update and Security -> For developers -> Select Sideload apps and then click Yes to confirm.
- Then, navigate to Settings –> Apps -> Manage optional features -> Windows Developer Mode –> click Uninstall.
- Restart your PC and try to update.
Step 7.Make sure that your computer is clean from viruses and malware. To accomplish this task you can use this Malware Scan and Removal Guide to check and remove viruses or/and malicious programs that may be running on your computer.
Step 8. At Power Options (in Control Panel), set Put the computer to Sleep to Never &also disable the Fast Startup.
Step 9. Make sure that you have enough space on your disk (at least 20GB). To free up disk space use the Disk Cleanup tool and follow the instructions in this tutorial: How to Free Up Disk Space with Disk Cleanup.
Step 10. Download and install the latest Servicing stack update, for the installed Windows 10 version and architecture (32/64-bit). (To view the installed Windows 10 version/architecture, go to: Start -> Settings –> System –> About.)
Step 11. Update essential device drivers. Navigate to your hardware's vendor support site and download and install the latest drivers for the Chipset and the Graphics adapter (VGA). Additionally, sometimes there is the need to uninstall the VGA driver or to update the system BIOS in order to install an update.
Step 12. In some cases, the solution to install successfully an Update in Windows 10, is to uninstall all non-Microsoft security software (antivirus, antimalware, firewall, etc.), to avoid compatibility issues with the latest Windows updates.
Step 13. Finally reboot your computer and try to install the update. If the update fails to install again, then try the methods below.
Method 1. Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter.
Method 2. Force Windows to re-create the Windows Update Store folder.
Method 3. Download and install the Windows 10 Update Manually.
Method 4. Install the Windows 10 Updates in Clean Boot Mode.
Method 5. FIX Corrupted System Files and Services with DISM & SFC tools.
Method 6. Check Disk for Problems
Method 7. Repair Windows with an in-place upgrade.
Method 8: Update Windows by using the WSUS Offline Update tool.
Method 9. Perform a Clean Installation of Windows 10.
Method 1. Run the Windows 10 Update Troubleshooter.
The first method to fix Windows 10 update problems is to run the Microsoft's Windows 10 Update Troubleshooter tool in Administrator mode. To do that:
1. Navigate to Control Panel –> Troubleshooting –> Fix problems withWindows Update OR –better– download and run the Windows Update Troubleshooter for Windows 10 from Microsoft's support site.
2.Restart your computer.
3. Try to install the update.
3. Try to install the update.
Method 2. Force Windows to re-create the Windows Update Store folder
The second method to fix problems with the updates in Windows 10, is to recreate the Windows Update Store folder ('C:WindowsSoftwareDistribution'), which is the location where Windows stores the downloaded updates. To do that:
1. Simultaneously press the Windows + R keys to open run command box.
2. In run command box, type: services.msc and press Enter.
2. In run command box, type: services.msc and press Enter.
3. Right click on Windows Update service and select Stop.
Microsoft Fix Windows Update Errors
Media player download xp. 4. Open Windows Explorer and navigate to C:Windows folder.
5. Select and Delete the 'SoftwareDistribution' folder.*
(Click Continue at 'Folder Access Denied' window).
5. Select and Delete the 'SoftwareDistribution' folder.*
(Click Continue at 'Folder Access Denied' window).
* Note: The next time that the Windows Update will run, a new empty SoftwareDistribution folder will be automatically created by Windows to store updates.
6.Restart your computer.
7.Download and run the Windows Update Troubleshooter for Windows 10 from Microsoft's support site.
8.Reboot your computer.
9. Check and install Windows updates.
7.Download and run the Windows Update Troubleshooter for Windows 10 from Microsoft's support site.
8.Reboot your computer.
9. Check and install Windows updates.
Method 3. Download and install the Windows 10 Update Manually.
The next method, to resolve the Windows 10 update issues is to download and install the failed update manually. To do that follow the instructions below according your case:
Case A: If you want to upgrade your Windows 10 version (e.g. from 1703 o 1709):
1. Navigate to Windows 10 download site and click the Update now button.
2. When asked, click to Run the downloaded file in order to start the installation immediately, or click the Save button to run the installer later.
3. Finally click the Update Now button and follow the on screen prompts to install the Update.
Case B: If you have problems when installing a standalone update:
1. Go to Settings –> Update & Security and open the Update History
2. Find out the KB number of the failed update. (e.g. 'KB4025339')
3. Navigate to Microsoft Update Catalog.
4. Type the KB number of the failed update and click search.
2. Find out the KB number of the failed update. (e.g. 'KB4025339')
3. Navigate to Microsoft Update Catalog.
4. Type the KB number of the failed update and click search.
5. Download and then install the update.
Method 4. Install Windows 10 Update in Selective Startup Mode (Clean Boot Mode).
1. Simultaneously press the Windows + R keys to open the 'Run' command box.
2. In run command box, type msconfig press Enter to open the System Configuration utility.
2. In run command box, type msconfig press Enter to open the System Configuration utility.
3. At Services tab, check the Hide all Microsoft services checkbox.
4. Then press the Disable all button, to disable all non Windows services that start with Windows.
5. Then select the Startup tab and click Open Task Manager.
6. Select one by one all startup items and click Disable.
7. Finally click OK and restart your computer.
8. Try to install the update. If the update installed without problems, then run 'msonfig' again, check the 'Normal Startup' at General tab, click OK and restart your computer normally.
7. Finally click OK and restart your computer.
8. Try to install the update. If the update installed without problems, then run 'msonfig' again, check the 'Normal Startup' at General tab, click OK and restart your computer normally.
Method 5. FIX Windows corruption errors with DISM & SFC tools.
1. Open command prompt as administrator. To do that:
1. In the Search box type: cmd or command prompt
2. Right click on the command prompt (result) and select Run as Administrator.
2. Right click on the command prompt (result) and select Run as Administrator.
2. At the command prompt window, type the following command & press Enter:
- Dism.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /Restorehealth
3. Be patient until DISM repairs component store. When the operation is completed, (you should be informed that the component store corruption was repaired), give this command and press Enter:
- SFC /SCANNOW
4. When SFC scan is completed, restart your computer.
5. Try to update your system again.
5. Try to update your system again.
Method 6. Check and Repair Hard Disk Errors.
If the hard disk contains errors, Windows 10 update will not be successful. So, proceed to check and repair the hard drive and then try to install the update again. To check and repair errors on your hard drive:
1. Open command prompt as administrator.
2. At command prompt, give the following command and press Enter: *
2. At command prompt, give the following command and press Enter: *
- chkdsk /F
* Notes:
1. You will be required to reboot the computer if run the CHKDSK command on the system drive.
2. By default the CHKDSK command, will check your main C: drive for errors. If after checking the drive C:, you want to repair errors on another drive (e.g. the drive 'E:' ), then switch to that drive (e.g. by typing E: & pressing Enter) and give the same command.
1. You will be required to reboot the computer if run the CHKDSK command on the system drive.
2. By default the CHKDSK command, will check your main C: drive for errors. If after checking the drive C:, you want to repair errors on another drive (e.g. the drive 'E:' ), then switch to that drive (e.g. by typing E: & pressing Enter) and give the same command.
Method 7. Repair Windows 10 with an in-place Upgrade.
Another method that usually works, to fix Windows 10 update problems, is to perform a Windows 10 Repair-Upgrade, by using the Media Creation tool to create an ISO or USB Windows 10 install media. For that task follow the detailed instructions on this article: How to repair Windows 10.
Method 8. Update Windows by using the WSUS Offline Update tool. (Windows 10, 8.1, 8 or 7).
1. Download the latest version of WSUS Offline Update utility.
2. After the download, extract the 'wsusoffline.zip' file.
3. From the 'wususoffline' folder, double click at UpdateGenerator.exe application.
4. At Windows tab, select the Windows Edition, that you are using.
5. Press the Start button.
2. After the download, extract the 'wsusoffline.zip' file.
3. From the 'wususoffline' folder, double click at UpdateGenerator.exe application.
4. At Windows tab, select the Windows Edition, that you are using.
5. Press the Start button.
6. Be patient until the WSUS Offline Update utility downloads all the available updates.
7. When the download is completed, open the client folder (wsusofflineclient), right click at 'UpdateInstaller.exe' application and select Run as Administrator.
8. Finally press the Start button and be patient until the WSUS Offline Update installer, installs the downloaded updates to your system.
9. When the installation is completed, reboot your PC.
Method 9. Perform a Clean Windows 10 installation.
Many times, especially in computers with oldest Chipset and CPU, it is better and less time consuming to backup your files and to RESET your PC or to perform a clean Windows 10 installation, than to try to resolve update problems in Windows 10.
That's it! Which method worked for you?
Let me know if this guide has helped you by leaving your comment about your experience. Please like and share this guide to help others.
Let me know if this guide has helped you by leaving your comment about your experience. Please like and share this guide to help others.
If this article was useful for you, please consider supporting us by making a donation. Even $1 can a make a huge difference for us in our effort to continue to help others while keeping this site free:
If you want to stay constantly protected from malware threats, existing and future ones, we recommend that you install Malwarebytes Anti-Malware PRO by clicking below (we do earn a commision from sales generated from this link, but at no additional cost to you. We have experience with this software and we recommend it because it is helpful and useful):