{"id":9175,"date":"2026-08-18T16:35:15","date_gmt":"2026-08-18T11:05:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.veeble.com\/kb\/?p=9175"},"modified":"2026-08-18T16:35:15","modified_gmt":"2026-08-18T11:05:15","slug":"how-to-fix-windows-update-error-0x80028017","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.veeble.com\/kb\/how-to-fix-windows-update-error-0x80028017\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Fix Windows Update Error 0x80028017 in Windows 11"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you see Windows Update error 0x80028017<\/strong> while installing an update in Windows 11, the update may fail to download or complete the installation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The error has also been reported while installing Windows 11 Insider Preview updates<\/strong>, where problems with Windows Update components can prevent a build from installing correctly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Follow the methods below one by one to fix the issue.<\/p>\n\n\n

1. Restart Windows and Try the Update Again<\/h2>\n\n\n

Before making any changes, restart your computer and retry the update.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Open Start > Settings > Windows Update<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Click Check for updates<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Download and install the available update.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Restart the computer if prompted.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Also, disconnect unnecessary USB devices such as external drives, printers, or adapters before retrying the update.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If the error 0x80028017<\/strong> appears again, continue with the next method.<\/p>\n\n\n

    2. Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter<\/h2>\n\n\n

    Windows 11 includes a built-in troubleshooter that can detect and repair common Windows Update problems. Microsoft recommends running it when an update fails with an error code.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    1. Open Settings<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Go to System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Find Windows Update<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    4. Click Run<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    5. Follow the instructions displayed on the screen.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    6. Restart your computer after the troubleshooter completes.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
      \"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      Now go back to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Try installing the update again.<\/p>\n\n\n

      3. Repair Windows Using DISM and SFC<\/h2>\n\n\n

      Corrupted Windows components or system files can prevent Windows Update from completing successfully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Open Command Prompt<\/strong> or Windows Terminal<\/strong> as administrator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      First, run:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      DISM.exe \/Online \/Cleanup-Image \/RestoreHealth<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
      Allow the command to complete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
      Then run:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
      sfc \/scannow<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
      Wait until the scan reaches 100%<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
      DISM repairs the Windows component store, while System File Checker checks protected Windows system files and replaces damaged files when possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
      Restart your computer and check for Windows updates again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
      If SFC displays \u201cWindows Resource Protection could not perform the requested operation,\u201d<\/strong> follow our guide on fixing the Windows Resource Protection error<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n
      4. Reset Windows Update Components<\/h2>\n\n\n
      If the Windows Update cache or related services are causing the 0x80028017 error<\/strong>, resetting the Windows Update components may help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
      Open Command Prompt as administrator<\/strong> and run the following commands one by one:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
      net stop wuauserv\nnet stop bits\nnet stop cryptsvc\nnet stop msiserver<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
      Next, rename the Windows Update cache folders:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
      ren C:\\Windows\\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old\nren C:\\Windows\\System32\\catroot2 catroot2.old<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
      Now restart the services:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
      net start msiserver\nnet start cryptsvc\nnet start bits\nnet start wuauserv<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
      Restart your computer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
      Windows will automatically create new SoftwareDistribution<\/strong> and catroot2<\/strong> folders when Windows Update runs again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
      Microsoft also recommends resetting Windows Update services and cached update files when troubleshooting update installation problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
      After restarting, go to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
      Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n
      5. Check Available Disk Space<\/h2>\n\n\n
      Windows needs enough free disk space to download, extract, and install updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
      To check your available storage:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
        \n
      1. Open Settings<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      2. Navigate to System > Storage<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      3. Check the free space available on your Windows drive.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
        If the drive is almost full, remove unnecessary temporary files or move large files to another drive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
        You can also use:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
        Settings > System > Storage > Temporary files<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
        to remove files that are no longer required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
        Insufficient storage is one of the issues Microsoft recommends checking when troubleshooting Windows Update failures.<\/p>\n\n\n
        6. Reinstall the Current Windows Version Using Windows Update<\/h2>\n\n\n
        Windows 11 includes a repair option that can reinstall the current version of Windows without removing your applications, personal files, or settings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
        This is useful if DISM, SFC, and resetting Windows Update did not resolve error 0x80028017<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
          \n
        1. Open Settings<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        2. Navigate to System > Recovery<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        3. Find Fix problems using Windows Update<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        4. Click Reinstall now<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        5. Follow the on-screen instructions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        6. Restart the computer after the repair installation completes.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
          This process reinstalls the current Windows version and repairs Windows system files and components while preserving your apps, files, and settings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
          \n
          Note:<\/strong> The Fix problems using Windows Update<\/strong> option may not appear on some managed computers or older Windows 11 installations.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n
          7. Manually Install the Failed Windows Update<\/h2>\n\n\n
          If only one particular cumulative or security update is failing, you can try installing it manually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
            \n
          1. Open Settings > Windows Update > Update history<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          2. Find the failed update and note its KB number<\/strong>, for example KB50xxxxx<\/code>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          3. Open the Microsoft Update Catalog<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          4. Search for the KB number.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          5. Download the version that matches your Windows architecture.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          6. Run the downloaded update package.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          7. Restart the computer after installation.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
            After restarting, check Windows Update again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
            If you are trying to install a Windows feature update<\/strong> rather than a normal cumulative update, Microsoft also provides the Windows 11 Installation Assistant. The Installation Assistant is intended for feature updates rather than routine quality updates.<\/p>\n\n\n
            8. If You Are Using a Windows Insider Preview Build<\/h2>\n\n\n
            Error 0x80028017<\/strong> has also appeared during Windows 11 Insider Preview quality updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
            For Insider builds, Microsoft staff recommends repairing the Windows image, resetting Windows Update components, and, if the problem continues, performing an in-place repair using an appropriate Windows 11 Insider ISO when available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
            Before proceeding, check your Windows build by pressing:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
            Windows + R<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
            Enter:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
            winver<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
            Then check whether the failed update belongs to the Dev, Beta, Canary, or Release Preview<\/strong> channel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
            If the problem is specific to an Insider build, you may also need to wait for a newer build if Microsoft has not released an appropriate ISO or fix yet.<\/p>\n\n\n
            9. Reinstall Windows as a Last Resort<\/h2>\n\n\n
            If none of the previous methods fixes Windows Update error 0x80028017<\/strong>, consider reinstalling Windows using official Windows 11 installation media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
            Before reinstalling Windows, make sure you back up all important files<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
            Microsoft recommends considering Windows recovery or reinstall options when update-related problems cannot be repaired through normal troubleshooting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
            If you need installation media, you can also follow our guide on how to create a bootable USB in Windows using CMD<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n
            Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n
            Windows Update error 0x80028017<\/strong> can usually be addressed by repairing Windows Update components and system files.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
            Start with the Windows Update troubleshooter, then run DISM and SFC<\/strong>. If that does not work, reset the Windows Update cache and services. For persistent Windows 11 problems, the built-in Fix problems using Windows Update<\/strong> repair option is a useful step before performing a full reinstall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
            If you are seeing a similar Windows Update problem with error 0x80070017<\/strong>, refer to our guide on fixing error code 0x80070017 during Windows Update<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n
            Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n\n\n
            <\/div>\n\n\n
            What is Windows Update error 0x80028017?<\/h3>\n\n\n
            Error 0x80028017<\/strong> can appear when Windows 11 fails to install an update. Recent reports on Microsoft-hosted support pages have also shown the error during Windows 11 Insider Preview quality updates.<\/p>\n\n\n
            Can DISM and SFC fix error 0x80028017?<\/h3>\n\n\n
            They can help when damaged Windows system files or component-store problems are contributing to the update failure. Run DISM.exe \/Online \/Cleanup-Image \/RestoreHealth<\/code> first, followed by sfc \/scannow<\/code>.<\/p>\n\n\n
            Will resetting Windows Update delete my personal files?<\/h3>\n\n\n
            No. Renaming the SoftwareDistribution<\/strong> and catroot2<\/strong> update-cache folders does not delete your personal documents, photos, or applications. Windows recreates the update-related folders when the services run again.<\/p>\n\n\n
            Do I need to reinstall Windows?<\/h3>\n\n\n
            Usually not. Try the troubleshooter, DISM\/SFC, Windows Update component reset, and the Windows 11 repair-reinstall option first. A complete Windows reinstall should be treated as a last resort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
            <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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