Windows 11 is head and shoulders above earlier versions of the operating system in terms of design and performance. However, it could be more flawless, and errors do appear from time to time. The Windows Update Install Error 0x80070103 is one example of such an issue. The error affects all available updates and shows “Install error” text, which is inconveniently insufficient information to resolve.
Thankfully, Windows update install errors have been a feature of the operating system for a long time and are widely documented. The errors are often caused by similar issues that may be readily rectified using the methods outlined in this tutorial. Looking at the typical reasons behind the 0x80070103 issue might give more insight into the problem.
Install Error 0x80070103 Common Culprits
According to Microsoft, the Install Error 0x80070103 is innocuous. It occurs when Windows 11 tries to install a driver already installed on the system or is incompatible during a Windows update. Microsoft also claims the error should not affect your usual use since Windows will continue functioning even if you cannot install the updates. They are also working on fixing it. However, you may resolve the error if you want immediately.
Several possible factors might trigger the error on your Windows 11 system, including.
1 – Damaged/Corrupted System Files.
2 – The updated driver is now in use.
3 – Corrupted or damaged data in the update cache.
4 – Update Mechanism Services have been terminated or deactivated.
The fixes listed below can help you eliminate the error and get everything back to normal, regardless of the reason you may be experiencing it.
Install Error 0x80070103 In Windows 11 Update? How To Fix
Pause And Resume Update
Before going on any long fixes, consider this quick fix instead. For the update failing to install due to an error, click the ‘Retry’ option.
The update should then be paused once and resumed instantly. This easy pause/resume fix should prevent the error, and your updates will be installed.
Update Troubleshooter
1 – Run the troubleshooter to ensure no system or configuration issues.
2 – Verify that the ‘System’ tab in the left sidebar is selected.
3 – Click the ‘Troubleshooter’ title in the right section.
4 – Click the ‘Other troubleshooters’ label.
5 – Find the ‘Windows Update‘ title and click the ‘Run’ button to commence troubleshooting.
6 – When the troubleshooting is finished, you can view a list of problems and ideas for how to fix them. To thoroughly understand the problem, click the ‘0x80070103 detailed information’ option.
Run DISM And SFC
System files may be destroyed or corrupted due to insufficient Windows updates, inappropriate third-party app installation, or a virus. DISM will first restore the system image, which SFC will then use to search for and fix any inconsistencies.
1 – Go the Start Menu and type Terminal to start a search. Next, right-click on the ‘Terminal’ title and click the ‘Run as administrator’ option in the search results.
2 – A UAC (User Account Control) window will display on your screen. Enter the login information for your admin account if you are not already logged in. Otherwise, click the ‘Yes’ button.
3 – Select the ‘Command Prompt’ option using the ‘chevron’ (downward arrow) symbol.
4 – Type and/or copy/paste the following command onto your keyboard and press Enter. This will restore the presently installed OS image on your device.
DISM/ Online/ Cleanup-Image/ RestoreHealth5 – Type and/or copy/paste the following command to check and repair your computer’s system files.
SFC /scannow6 – Restart your computer and attempt to update it to check whether the 0x80070103 problem still exists.
Reset Windows Update Service
Windows Update services run quietly in the background to ensure that all updates are correctly delivered to your system. Yet, there are situations when a third-party app or service might interfere with these services, leading them to malfunction.
1 – Go to Start Menu and type Terminal. Next, right-click on the title and select the ‘Run as administrator’ option.
2 – A UAC (User Account Control) window will display on your screen. If you’re not logged in as an admin, enter your credentials. Otherwise, click the ‘Yes’ button.
3 – Select the ‘Command Prompt’ option by clicking the ‘chevron’ symbol.
4 – Type or copy and paste the command below to stop the presently running update service. To execute all commands, press Enter after you enter each command individually.
net stop bitsnet stop wuaservnet stop cryptsvc5 – Press the Windows+R keys together to open the Run command utility. To continue, type and/or copy/paste the address route shown below and click ‘OK’ button.
C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore6 – Press Ctrl+A to select all files and folders, then press Shift+Delete to delete all files permanently.
7 – Return to the Command Prompt and type or copy/paste the below command, then press Enter.
Del "%AllUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\Microsoft\Network\Downloader\*.*8 – To confirm the deletion of files, press Y if asked.
9 – Type or copy/paste the command below, then press Enter. This clears the Windows Update cache and allows the operating system to download the updates again. After each command, make sure you press Enter.
Note: The /S modifier will delete all subdirectories, but the /Q modifier will enable you to delete the files without further confirmation.
rmdir %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 /S /Q10 – Type or copy/paste the following command, then execute it. This command will reset the BITS and Windows Update services to their default security descriptor. Make careful to press Enter after each command as well.
sc.exe sdset bits D:(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;SY)(A;;CCDCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRSDRCWDWO;;;BA)(A;;CCLCSWLOCRRC;;;AU)(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;PU)sc.exe sdset wuauserv D:(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;SY)(A;;CCDCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRSDRCWDWO;;;BA)(A;;CCLCSWLOCRRC;;;AU)(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;PU)11 – Run the command below to change the directory to the System32 folder.
cd /d %windir%\system3212 – Type the instructions below and press Enter after each one to execute them all. This will update BITS and DLL files in the Registry.
regsvr32.exe /s atl.dllregsvr32.exe /s urlmon.dllregsvr32.exe /s mshtml.dllregsvr32.exe /s shdocvw.dllregsvr32.exe /s browseui.dllregsvr32.exe /s jscript.dllregsvr32.exe /s vbscript.dllregsvr32.exe /s scrrun.dllregsvr32.exe /s msxml.dllregsvr32.exe /s msxml3.dllregsvr32.exe /s msxml6.dllregsvr32.exe /s msxml3.dllregsvr32.exe /s msxml6.dllregsvr32.exe /s actxprxy.dllregsvr32.exe /s softpub.dllregsvr32.exe /s wintrust.dllregsvr32.exe /s dssenh.dllregsvr32.exe /s rsaenh.dllregsvr32.exe /s gpkcsp.dllregsvr32.exe /s sccbase.dllregsvr32.exe /s slbcsp.dllregsvr32.exe /s cryptdlg.dllregsvr32.exe /s oleaut32.dllregsvr32.exe /s ole32.dllregsvr32.exe /s shell32.dllregsvr32.exe /s initpki.dllregsvr32.exe /s wuapi.dllregsvr32.exe /s wuaueng.dllregsvr32.exe /s wuaueng1.dllregsvr32.exe /s wucltui.dllregsvr32.exe /s wups.dllregsvr32.exe /s wups2.dllregsvr32.exe /s wuweb.dllregsvr32.exe /s wuweb.dllregsvr32.exe /s qmgr.dllregsvr32.exe /s qmgrprxy.dllregsvr32.exe /s wucltux.dllregsvr32.exe /s wuwebv.dll13 – Return to the elevated Command Prompt window, type or copy+paste the following command one at a time, then push Enter to re-enable the services you deactivated previously.
net start bitsnet start wuaservnet start cryptsvc14 – Restart your computer and check to see if you can update it.
Manually Install Update
If you need a different method than the methods indicated above, you may manually update the computer by downloading the update from the Microsoft Catalog Website.
1 – Use your favorite browser to go to Microsoft Catalog website, catalog.update.microsoft.com. In the ‘Search’ column, enter the KB (Knowledge Base) number of the update you want to download and press Enter on your keyboard.
2 – Click the option with the ‘x64-based Systems’ suffix fix from the search results list.
3 – You can check the compatible OS and package information and install resources for the update.
4 – After finding it, go back to the previous page of the website and click the ‘Download’ option. This will open a new browser window on your screen.
5 – Right-click displayed link and select the ‘Save link as…’ option.
6 – Using File Explorer, select the correct directory and click the ‘Save’ button.
7 – After downloading, head to the download directory and double-click on the package to run the installation.
8 – The solo installer will next prepare your system. A popup will display on your screen once the update is installed. Click the ‘Yes’ button.
9 – The update package will take a few minutes to install.
10 – When the package has been installed, restart your computer and check whether it has been updated.
Reset PC
If you haven’t been able to fix the 0x80070103 issue using the methods listed above, your final option is resetting your computer to eliminate any deep-rooted systemic issues. While no personal files or folders will be lost, the system settings will be reset to factory defaults, and all installed apps will be erased.
1 – Go to Start Menu and click the ‘Settings’ option.
2 – Select the ‘System’ tab in the left sidebar.
3 – Scroll down and click ‘Recovery’ title in the right section of the window.
4 – Locate and click the ‘Reset PC’ button. This will open a new window on your screen.
5 – Click the ‘Keep my files’ title in the opened window. In this case, click the ‘Remove everything’ option instead.
6 – In the following screen, select a method to reinstall the operating system on your computer. Since there may be a problem with the copy existing on your system, it is suggested that you click the ‘Cloud download’ option.
Note: The ‘cloud download’ will need an active internet connection and may take up to 4 GB of data.
7 – Windows will list the settings you’ve selected. Click ‘Change settings’ option to proceed if you want to change any of it.
8 – If you choose to change the settings, you may specify the following settings on the next screen. You may choose not to restore the apps and settings by clicking the toggle button beneath the ‘Restore pre-installed apps?’ option and moving it to the ‘No’ position. You may also change the installation method from the Cloud download to the local installation by clicking the toggle button beneath the ‘Download Windows?’ option. Finally, click the ‘Confirm’ button after making any necessary adjustments.
9 – Click ‘Next’ button in the main window.
10 – In case your PC was recently updated, you will see a notification on the screen indicating that you cannot roll back after you restart the computer. Click the ‘Next’ button.
11 – Windows will list all the effects restarting your computer will have on your system. Read them carefully and then click ‘Reset’ to commence the reset procedure.
Conclusion:
The Install error 0x80070103 is annoying, but fortunately, you can resolve 0x80070103 using the methods listed above.
