Fixing failed windows updates

This guide provides step-by-step instructions to troubleshoot and resolve failed Windows updates.

Steps to Resolve Failed Updates

Check Logs for Errors

• Navigate to C:\Windows\Logs\CBS\cbs.log.
• Open the log file and search for entries with ERROR to identify the problematic package.

Download the Failed or Missing Package

• Visit the Windows Update Catalog.
• Search for and download the required .msu file for the failed update.

Copy the Downloaded MSU File to a Temporary Folder

• Move the downloaded .msu file to a temporary folder, e.g., C:\temp.

Extract the MSU File

• Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
• Run the following command to extract the contents of the .msu file:

expand -F:* "C:\temp\windows6.4-kb3025096-x64_b18971964e8480df545aa2f1828629aa19033983.msu" C:\temp\KB3025096_msu

Extract the CAB Files

• Create a new folder for the extracted CAB files:

mkdir C:\temp\kb1234567_msu\update

• Extract the CAB files from the .msu file:

expand -F:* "C:\temp\kb1234567_msu\Windows10.0-KB1234567-x64.cab" C:\temp\kb1234567_msu\update

• Ensure to replace kb1234567 with the correct update name and point to the downloaded .msu file.

Restore Missing Files

• Run the following command to restore the missing files:

dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth /LimitAccess /Source:C:\temp\kb1234567_msu\update

• Replace the path with the correct location of the extracted files.

Wait for the DISM Command to Finish

• Allow the DISM command to complete the patching process.
• Once finished, check for updates from the Settings app.

Restart the Machine

• Sometimes, Windows may take time to recognize the installed patches. Restart the machine to ensure all updates are applied correctly.