Fix Windows Update Error 0x80070005 – Windows 10/11 2026

Windows includes a built-in troubleshooter that automatically diagnoses and fixes common update issues:

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings
2. Navigate to System → Troubleshoot → Other troubleshooters
3. Locate Windows Update and click Run
4. Wait for the troubleshooter to scan and detect issues
5. Follow any recommended actions presented by the troubleshooter
6. Restart your computer when prompted
7. Open Windows Update and attempt to install updates again

Manually reset Windows Update services and clear cache files:

1. Press Windows + X and select Windows PowerShell (Admin)
2. Stop Windows Update services by running these commands:

net stop wuauserv
net stop cryptSvc
net stop bits
net stop msiserver

3. Clear Windows Update cache folders:

ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old

4. Restart the services:

net start wuauserv
net start cryptSvc
net start bits
net start msiserver

5. Close PowerShell and restart your computer
6. Check for updates again

Repair corrupted system files that may be causing the access denied error:

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator
2. Run System File Checker to scan for corrupted files:

sfc /scannow

3. Wait for the scan to complete (this may take 15-30 minutes)
4. Run DISM to repair the Windows image:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

5. After DISM completes, run SFC again to ensure all files are repaired:

sfc /scannow

6. Restart your computer and attempt Windows Update again

Reset permissions on Windows Update registry keys:

1. Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter
2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsUpdate
3. Right-click the WindowsUpdate key and select Permissions
4. Click Advanced → Change next to Owner
5. Type Administrators and click Check Names → OK
6. Check Replace owner on subcontainers and objects → OK
7. In the Permissions window, ensure SYSTEM and Administrators have Full Control
8. Repeat steps 2-7 for these registry keys:

• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\wuauserv
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\WAU

9. Close Registry Editor and restart your computer

If the issue persists, create a new administrator account to bypass corrupted user permissions:

1. Press Windows + I → Accounts → Family & other users
2. Click Add someone else to this PC
3. Select I don't have this person's sign-in information
4. Choose Add a user without a Microsoft account
5. Enter a username (e.g., "TempAdmin") and password
6. After creation, click the new account → Change account type → Administrator
7. Sign out and log into the new administrator account
8. Open Settings → Windows Update and test updates
9. If updates work, transfer your data from the old profile:

robocopy "C:\Users\[OldUsername]" "C:\Users\[NewUsername]" /E /COPYALL /XD "AppData\Local\Temp"

10. Install applications and reconfigure settings as needed