“Microsoft isn’t evil, they just make really crappy operating systems”. The disappointment and sarcasm in the words of the Linux developer Linus Torvalds are more than enough proof to understand how frustrating it can be at times to be a Microsoft user. 

The latest version of Windows has already made a name for itself, but for all the wrong reasons. Tons of users from different parts of the globe are complaining that they are unable to update their operating systems. According to reports, this issue has become the most commonly occurring problem among Microsoft users. 

The reason behind all this fuss, the error 0x80080008 that occurs when users try to install the latest update for Windows 10. This feature update to Windows 10 update error may cause severe problems for users in the professional setting. 

In case you are looking for a way around this situation, you are in luck as today’s blog will focus on the same along with simple methods that can help a user to deal with this issue. 

But before we begin with the troubleshooting methods, let us get to know more about the kind of variations a user might face with the update error for the Windows 10 operating system.

Variations of Windows Update Error 0x80080008

Updation of Windows Failed

This version of the error will cause all the system updates to stop working. Thankfully, it can be fixed with simple methods such as manually downloading the Windows update or by disabling the antivirus and other protective measures temporarily.

0x80080008 Server 2016

Tons of users have stated that they have been encountering this error specifically for the Windows server 2016. Although the troubleshooting methods mentioned below focus on the 10 version of Windows, you can try to use some of them for the Windows server as well.

As we now know about the probable variations that one may encounter, let us take a look at how one can fix this without much fuss.

Easy Troubleshooting Methods To Fix Windows Error Update in 2023

The next section of the blog will focus on offering some methods that can help users to resolve the (0x80080008) error code in an instant.

By Booting in Safe Mode

Time and again, users have complained that the background programs play a part in causing errors and this error is no different. This is why, to fix the Windows update error 0x80080008, you will need to disable all of the startup programs and boot your system in safe mode.

Here is how a user can perform the same;

  • Start by typing MSConfig in the run dialog box after you have opened it by pressing Windows+R keys together and “hit” the ok button.
run dialog box for Windows 10
  • From there, you will need to access the “services” tab and tick the box that says “Hide all Microsoft services”.
hide all Microsoft devices checkbox
  • In the next window, click on the “disable all” button and after doing the same hit the “apply” button to save the changes made by you.
disable all button
  • For the next step, visit the startup tab and click on the link that goes like “open task manager”.
startup tab from system configuration
  • Simply select all of the startup programs one by one to disable all of them.
task manager tab

Once you are done with these steps, simply restart your device and try updating the system.

Also Read: Windows 10- Computer Won’t Sleep How to Fix (12 Methods)

By Disabling Your Antivirus (if you have installed any)

Pro tip: Manually uninstalling any sort of programs/software may leave some of the files on the system that can cause issues in the future when you try to reinstall it. This is why it is advisable for users to use an appropriate tool for this purpose, so as to ensure the complete removal of the program from the system. 

It is common knowledge that the antivirus installed in your system along with other protective programs can be the cause for the Version 1903 – 0x80080008 error. Tons of users have even said that as soon as they disable the antivirus, they were able to fix the Windows 10 update error codes with relative ease. 

All this makes it the foremost solution to get rid of this issue with relative ease. In case you have disabled the antivirus and it is of no use, you can also try to uninstall the program to check if that works for you. 

Here are the steps that can help users to uninstall the antivirus from their system;

  • Click on the Start icon and select the settings option, to begin with.
start menu
  • From there, you will need to click on the “apps” option to proceed further.
settings menu
  • In the next window, you will need to search for a third-party antivirus from the list of applications that pop up on your screen.
  • For the next step, simply click on the “uninstall” button after you have found the program to finish.

If these steps do not help in fixing the Windows update error 0x80080008, you can move forward to the next solution.

Via Running the SFC Command

During installation, Windows 10 files may get damaged or corrupted at times in case the update fails, which can further lead to this error.

In such a situation, the SFC scan is usually recommended to fix this issue. Users can check the integrity of the system files with the use of this to resolve the error 0x80080008 without much fuss. 

  • Access the Windows search box and type “cmd” to open the command prompt, to begin with.
command prompt from search results
  • From there, right-click on the command prompt, and from the options that pop up, click on “run as administrator”.
options for running the command prompt
  • In the next window, type SFC/scannow in the command box and hit enter to execute the command.
command prompt page after entering the command
  • Doing so will ensure that the entire system is scanned and the damaged or corrupted files are repaired.

Once you have checked all of your files via the SFC scan command, you can try to use the update service of Windows to check if everything goes smoothly.

By Restarting the Windows Update Components

Sometimes, components can also become the root cause of this issue. Follow the steps given below to fix this in the blink of an eye;

  • Similar to other methods, press Windows+X keys together to select the command prompt (admin), to begin with.
  • In the command prompt box, enter the following commands and hit enter after every command that you type;
    • net stop wuauserv
    • net stop cryptSvc
    • net stop bits
    • net stop msiserver
    • ren C:WindowsSoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
    • ren C:WindowsSystem32catroot2 Catroot2.old
    • net start wuauserv
    • net start cryptSvc
    • net start bits
    • net start msiserver

Following the execution of these commands, the error for the Windows update service should get resolved, and you will be able to update the operating system. If that isn’t the case, you can try to make good use of other methods.

By Trying to Re-registering Wups2.dll 

Often, faulty modules such as Wups2.dll can trigger error messages of this sort. Re-registering this file can help users to fix this issue. Just follow the steps given below in the same order to do so;

  • Begin by opening the command prompt with the use of administrator rights. To do so, type cmd in the search box and right-click on the command prompt to select “run as administrator” from the list of options that pop up on your screen.
  • After this, simply enter the commands mentioned below and hit enter to proceed further.
    • REGSVR32 WUPS2.DLL /S
    • REGSVR32 WUPS.DLL /S
    • REGSVR32 WUAUENG.DLL /S
    • REGSVR32 WUAPI.DLL /S
    • REGSVR32 WUCLTUX.DLL /S
    • REGSVR32 WUWEBV.DLL /S
    • REGSVR32 JSCRIPT.DLL /S
    • REGSVR32 MSXML3.DLL /S
  • Once you have run the commands given above, restart your Windows operating system and try to use the update service of Windows to check if the error still exists.

Via Restarting the BITS Services to Remove the Update Error of 0x80080008

Background Intelligent Transfer Service aka BITS comes off as one of the most important services for Windows updates. It is no secret that if this service stops working, the Windows update service will go down with it, followed by a message that informs you of the same.

Restarting the service is the simplest way that one can use to tackle this issue. Here are the steps that can help users to restart BITS services;

  • Open the run dialogue box by pressing Windows+R keys together, to begin with.
run dialog box
  • After doing so, type “services.MSC” in the run box that pops up on your screen and hit enter.
services.MSC for the dialog box
  • In the next window, you will need to search for the “background intelligent transfer service”. Double click on the same to open the properties menu.
BITS service
  • From there, you now need to verify whether or not BITS is working properly. In case it isn’t working, click on the start button to get it up and running.
start button for BITS
  • For the next step, move to the recovery tab and check to make sure that the “first failure” and the “second failure” are set to the option that says “restart service”. 
recovery tab for BITS
  • Finish by confirming the same and then check for updates.

After you have carried out these steps in the correct order, try to update your system.

By Downloading the Windows Update Manually

Many consider this as a last resort for this issue. If none of the methods mentioned in this blog are of use, users tend to turn to this issue to fix version 1903-error x80080008 for Windows 10 operating system.

Follow the steps given here to manually install the update on your Windows operating system with relative ease;

  • Begin by noting down the KB number of the data that you are looking to download.
  • After you have done so, visit the “update catalog of Microsoft” and proceed further by entering the KB number.
Microsoft update catalog page
  • In the next window, a list of different options will pop up on your screen, and from the same, you will need to find and select the one that matches the architecture of your system.
  • Finish by clicking on the “download” button.

As soon as the download is complete, simply run the executable file and install it to get the job done.

With the Execution of DISM

Utilities come in handy when users face errors like this one. In case the SFC scan was of no use for you, another utility by the name of DISM may help you in fixing this error. DISM, commonly known as the Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool can play a major role in fixing errors related to Windows updates. 

Below are some simple steps that are to be followed in the correct order, so as to fix the Windows 10 error 0x80080008 with ease. 

  • Use the admin privilege to open the command prompt. Simply press the Windows+X keys simultaneously to do the same. Select the “command prompt (admin) once you have done so, to begin with, the process.
  • In the next window, simply enter this command in the command prompt;
    • DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
command prompt page
  • In case for some reason, the DISM is unable to obtain the required files online, you will need to add a USB or DVD by installation. Once you have inserted the bootable media, type the command given below;
    • DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:C:\RepairSource\Windows /LimitAccess

Note: Before you move forward and execute the command mentioned above, you should replace the C:\RepairSource\Windows with the path of the DVD or the USB.

These are some of the simple methods that can help users to fix update-related issues for Windows 10 without breaking a sweat.

Let us now take a look at some of the most commonly asked questions about this issue on the internet.

FAQs

Q.1 Mention some probable reasons as to why the update error for Windows 10 occurs in the first place?

Ans 1: Even though the reason for the occurrence of an error may differ depending upon the error code, there are still a couple of reasons as to why you are facing this issue. Some of the common ones include when the system files are corrupted, if the drivers in use are outdated, in case the update files for the Windows system are damaged/corrupted, the interruption of third-party programs, etc.

Q.2 How do I fix the Microsoft update error for Windows 10?

Ans 2: Fixing the error for Windows 10 update is easy, provided that you know about the kind of error code that you are facing. But before that, you need to keep in mind that the system disk has enough space to download the update, which is, a bare minimum of 20% of the hard disk.

Q.3 What do I do if my Windows 10 won’t update due to corrupted files?

Ans 3: The DISM utility can help users to update their operating system when they are unable to do the same due to corrupted or damaged update system files. If for some reason, you don’t know how to do this, you can refer to the last method in the troubleshooting section of this blog.

Q.4 Is there a way to force the Windows update with the use of the command line?

Ans 4: Yes, and to do the same, you will have to access the command prompt as admin and then you will need to type the commands mentioned below. Press the enter key after every command.

  • UsoClient StartScan
  • UsoClient StartDownload
  • UsoClient StartInstall
  • UsoClient RestartDevice
  • UsoClient ScanInstallWait

Conclusion

Operating systems are prone to errors and bugs and it is no secret that the leading operating system in the world, Microsoft Windows is also prone to them. The Windows 10 version of the operating system hasn’t been the best and users have often complained about tons of different errors, with the update error being a common addition to the long list of complaints that the tech team of Microsoft receives from users.

The blog offers a complete list of tried and tested troubleshooting methods that can help users to get rid of the Windows 10 error 0x80080008 easily. 8 different methods are available for the users to tackle this issue.

In case you have any queries or doubts regarding the same, make sure to drop a comment below.

Ciao, tech nerds.

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