How to Fix Several Common Problems with Windows 10 Update

This article describes how to fix several common problems with Windows 10 Updates. The particular problems are:-

(A) “unexpected error downloading installation files”:  error message: 0x80190001

(B) Error message: 0x80073712 and or 0x80245006 “damaged update files”

(C) Error message: 0x80070070 “storage error”

(D) Error message:  0x80070020 “Windows feature Update failed”

(A) “Unexpected Error Downloading Installation Files”:  Error Message: 0x80190001

Error message (A) “unexpected error downloading installation files” can also be associated with 0x80190001. What happens is the download experienced unexpected problems when downloading Upgrade/Update files to install the Windows 10 version 17134 – 1803 by using Windows 10 update.

When faced with this error message please try the following:

1. Click the Start button (lower left)
2. Type in cleanmgr and when found click the program to launch “Disk Cleanup”
3. Select drive C:
4. Click OK
5. Click the “Clean up system files” button. A new window showing what Disk Cleanup will do and button to click is at the bottom.
6. Click the large OK button
7. When asked, click the “Delete Files” button
8. When this has completed try Updating again. (Settings: Update and Security; Windows Update; “Check for Updates” button)
9. If that does not work, leave the Update for several weeks or try some of the other measures we have written about in other articles on this website.
10. If nothing else works then creating a Microsoft “Media Creation Tool” may be the only other option.

(B) Error Message: 0x80073712 and or 0x80245006 “Damaged Update Files”

The errors: 0x80073712 and or 0x80245006 “damaged update files” means that somehow the necessary files for the Update are missing or damaged in some way. This could be due to a problem with your Hard Disk Drive (HDD) or when downloading the files over the Internet the download did not correct for any misinformation on the file or files. Usually, with Internet downloading, TCP/IP handles any errors and gets the other computer/server to retransmit a packet if the checksums do not match. Sometimes things go wrong.

What to do:

1. Basically follow the steps above and try again.
2. Make sure anything which says “Temporary Windows installation files” or “Temporary Files” or “Windows Setup files” have a check (tick) in the box next to it.
3. Cleanup as above (point 7 above)
4. Then try Updating again (point 8 above)

(C) Error Message: 0x80070070 “Storage Error”

There are several numbers which Microsoft use for this error message: 0x80070070 “storage error” storage problem (other numbers may be: 0x80070008 or 0xC190020e). Basically, your computer does not have enough storage space to process the 17134 – 1803 Update. Windows 10 needs at least 20GB of free space on drive C: to Update your computer. As a basic rule of thumb you should always keep 10% of drive C: be it a Hard Disk Drive (HDD) or SSD (Solid State Drive) free for the Operating System to “do things”, which basically means that it needs this space to run efficiently.

How to fix this problem:

1. Launch “cleanmgr as mentioned earlier in this article and clean up some space.
2. If on checking “My Computer” there is still not enough disk space on drive C: then consider backing up files to an external device of some description (HDD or Flash Drive) and remove the files until the required (or more) than 20GB is available. This can be troublesome on small SSD drives as some are only 128GB, however, it needs to be done for the Update to continue.
3. Don’t forget to check the Recycle Bin and empty if necessary.
4. Disk Cleanup (cleanmgr) should take care of the rest of unwanted files.
5. A word of warning, before anything gets deleted make sure that the files are not wanted or have been backed up. A little patience and thought here can certainly pay dividends later.

(D) Error message: 0x80070020 “Windows Feature Update Failed”

Error message: 0x80070020 Windows feature Update failed can be caused by your third-party anti-virus software (e.g. Nortons, Trend Micro, Kaspersky etc). Other security software could cause this error as well so it is not limited to the ones mentioned above.

Try the following:

1. Remove the security/anti-virus software and then try the Update again. If your software is a paid version then take careful notes on product keys and any other information needed such as your account with the vendor of the software. This is needed to download the software again after the Update. Account information should be noted down as well as product key.
2. To remove your software open Settings, and then go to Apps then Apps & Features. Select the app/program you want uninstalled and click the Uninstall button. Alternatively, if you are more conversant with Control Panel go to “Programs and Features” and remove it from there.
3. You may find that you have several anti-virus programs installed, some may be active and some may have expired. Remove all programs that are of the Security/anti-virus nature.
4. After removing the programs as stated above try the Update again. If this worked then all well and good.
5. If still no go then we are back to backing up and creating a Microsoft “Media Creation Tool” as mentioned above.

If in doubt and still need help with fixing common problems with Windows 10 updates, then we here at Affordable Computer Repairs and Service in Brisbane, Queensland are only too happy to assist, call us on 3397 1215 or 0409 974 707.