update with error 0x80073701-Server 2022

[DrNorbert]

Installation Failure: Windows failed to install the following update with error 0x80073701: 2024-08 Cumulative Update for Microsoft server operating system version 21H2 for x64-based Systems (KB5041160).
Please advise!

 

[WindowsForum AI]

The error code 0x80073701 typically indicates that a component or part of the update is missing or not found, which could prevent the update from installing properly. This type of issue is common with Windows Update and can be resolved through several methods. Below are steps to troubleshoot and resolve the Windows Update installation error on your Microsoft Server operating system version 21H2:

1. Run Windows Update Troubleshooter:​

Windows has a built-in troubleshooter that can identify and fix problems with Windows Update.

• Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
• Click on Additional troubleshooters.
• Select Windows Update and run the troubleshooter.

2. Manually Download and Install the Update:​

You can manually download the cumulative update from the Microsoft Update Catalog and install it.

• Visit the https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Home.aspx.
• Search for the update code KB5041160.
• Download the update that matches your system architecture (x64-based systems).
• Run the downloaded file to install the update manually.

3. Use Deployment Imaging Service and Management Tool (DISM):​

DISM can be used to repair the Windows image and fix the update issue.

• Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
• Run the following commands one by one:

  DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Scanhealth DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth

  These commands will check the health of your Windows image and attempt to repair any corruption.

4. Run System File Checker (SFC):​

SFC can fix corrupted system files that may be causing the issue.

• Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
• Run the following command:

  sfc /scannow

  This command will scan all protected system files and replace corrupted files with a cached copy.

5. Reset Windows Update Components:​

Sometimes resetting the Windows Update components can resolve the issue.

• Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
• Stop the BITS, Windows Update, and Cryptographic services. Run the following commands:

  net stop bits net stop wuauserv net stop appidsvc net stop cryptsvc

• Rename the SoftwareDistribution and Catroot2 folders with the following commands:

  Ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old Ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 Catroot2.old

• Restart the BITS, Windows Update, and Cryptographic services:

  net start bits net start wuauserv net start appidsvc net start cryptsvc

• Close the Command Prompt and try to update again.

6. Check Windows Update Log Files:​

Review the Windows Update log files to identify specific errors that might be causing the update to fail.

• Open Event Viewer by typing Event Viewer in the search bar.
• Navigate to Windows Logs > System.
• Look for errors related to Windows Update.

7. Ensure No Conflicting Software:​

Ensure that antivirus or other software is not interfering with the update process.

• Temporarily disable any third-party antivirus software.
• Retry the update.

8. Check Disk Space:​

Ensure that there is enough disk space available for the update to install.

9. Perform an In-Place Upgrade:​

If none of the above solutions work, consider performing an in-place upgrade. This process reinstalls Windows and keeps your files and settings.

• Download the Windows Server installation media from the https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/.
• Run the setup.exe file from the installation media.
• Select the option to Keep personal files and apps.

Reference:​

• Error 0x80073701: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/deployment/update/windows-update-error-0x80073701 Please try these steps and let us know if any specific error messages or issues arise during the process.

 

[DrNorbert]

Installation Failure: Windows failed to install the following update with error 0x80073701: 2024-08 Cumulative Update for Microsoft server operating system version 21H2 for x64-based Systems (KB5041160).
Please advise!

Thanks so much for your detailed response.

I tried each step, and it seems like the last resort is step #9 however I will lose all the data as there is no choice but to keep the files and data.
(this server is a backup server)

I run into the following issues:

Step 5 I couldn't rename the files

Ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
Ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 Catroot2.old

Access denied.

Step 6 log file:

​

Log Name: System
Source: Microsoft-Windows-WindowsUpdateClient
Date: 8/20/2024 5:51:27 AM
Event ID: 20
Task Category: Windows Update Agent
Level: Error
Keywords: Failure,Installation
User: SYSTEM
Computer: CIFE02.CII.NET
Description:
Installation Failure: Windows failed to install the following update with error 0x80073701: 2024-08 Cumulative Update for Microsoft server operating system version 21H2 for x64-based Systems (KB5041160).
Event Xml:
<Event xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events/event">
<System>
<Provider Name="Microsoft-Windows-WindowsUpdateClient" Guid="{945a8954-c147-4acd-923f-40c45405a658}" />
<EventID>20</EventID>
<Version>1</Version>
<Level>2</Level>
<Task>1</Task>
<Opcode>13</Opcode>
<Keywords>0x8000000000000028</Keywords>
<TimeCreated SystemTime="2024-08-20T12:51:27.8338307Z" />
<EventRecordID>112320</EventRecordID>
<Correlation />
<Execution ProcessID="17344" ThreadID="13424" />
<Channel>System</Channel>
<Computer>CIFE02.CII.NET</Computer>
<Security UserID="S-1-5-18" />
</System>
<EventData>
<Data Name="errorCode">0x80073701</Data>
<Data Name="updateTitle">2024-08 Cumulative Update for Microsoft server operating system version 21H2 for x64-based Systems (KB5041160)</Data>
<Data Name="updateGuid">{b78e6476-c096-40f6-967c-743397bb5fdc}</Data>
<Data Name="updateRevisionNumber">1</Data>
<Data Name="serviceGuid">{8b24b027-1dee-babb-9a95-3517dfb9c552}</Data>
</EventData>
</Event>

Step 9:

The following option is not available:
Select the option to Keep personal files and apps.

Please advise if there is anything else I could do prior to reinstall Windows Server 2022.
The server is a Dell T620.
Regards,
Norbert

 

[Neemobeer]

Did you make sure these services are stopped first?
net stop bits
net stop wuauserv
net stop appidsvc
net stop cryptsvc