Fix 0x80070005 Windows Update Error on Windows 11 & 10

Windows updates are an important part of Windows OS because Microsoft keeps releasing new features and security tools with the new Windows update. So if you are facing any issue with your Windows OS or want to use a new feature, you have to install a new Windows 10 update, as Microsoft also recommends it. But what if you can’t update your Windows? So many users have reported on the Microsoft forum that they face a 0x80070005 error code while installing Windows updates.

The Windows update 0x80070005 error is related to the system user permission. You can also face this issue if the update is faulty. Sometimes malware and viruses can also cause this issue. A few users have posted that they were facing the issue because Windows Defender has blocked the update service.

Fix 0x80070005 Windows Update Error

In this article, we are going to share all the working solutions to fix the issue.

Solution 1: Allow Full control to the User

As we mentioned above, the error is related to the permission. This error may occur when your system doesn’t have the required permission to access a specific folder or file. Whenever you try to update Windows, it requires specific permissions to your system files or folders. Without proper permission, you will face errors like Windows upgrade failed 0x80070005. Follow these steps to give yourself full permission so that you can download Windows updates.

Step 1: Press Windows + R button to open the Run window.

Step 2: Now type the following command and then press enter. This command will open the AppData folder where all system files are stored.

C:\Users\rahul

(Here, C is my Windows installation drive. Replace it with yours. Also, don’t forget to replace the rahul with your computer name)

Step 3: Now, right-click on the AppData folder and then choose Properties.

Step 4: In the AppData properties window, click on the Security tab.

Step 5: Then click on the Edit button to edit permissions.

Step 6: Click on “Add” and type “everyone” in the Enter the object names to select.

Step 7: Click on “Check Names” and then OK.

Step 8: Now, select “Everyone” from the permissions window and then tick the full control checkbox in the permission for everyone section.

 

Step 9: Click on Apply and then OK to save changes.

This will give all the permission to you and fix the 0x80070005 windows update issue. Don’t forget to reboot your computer.

Once rebooted, try to update your Windows and see if you are facing any problems or not.

Method 2: Scan for Malware and Viruses

Many Windows 10 users have reported that they are facing the issue caused by malware or a virus. Removing potential malware could fix the issue. These viruses or malware can delete or change required system files like the windows update registry.

You have to find the culprit and remove it from your system. To ensure that your computer is not affected by any virus or malware, scan your entire system with trusted antivirus apps like Mcafee or Windows Defender, a built-in Antivirus in Windows 10.

Once the scan is completed, check the result or log file and remove all the files causing errors like this.

Then after a quick restart, try to install Windows updates. If you are still getting a Windows upgrade failed 0x80070005 error message, then the issue is something else.

Method 3: Clean the SoftwareDistribution folder

The SoftwareDistribution folder is used to store temporary Windows update files in Windows 10. Whenever you download any new Windows update, the system will temporarily store all update files in this folder. Later your system will use these update files while downloading a new update. The SoftwareDistribution folder is required to download updates. 

Now try to clean the SoftwareDistribution folder and then try to update your system. Deleting the folder and using the batch file can fix this Windows update error. Here are the steps:

Step 1: Open the Run window with Win + R.

Step 2: Copy and paste this command to access the SoftwareDistribution folder.

C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download

(Replace C with your Windows installation drive)

Step 3: You have to delete everything here. You can do it with the Ctrl+A command. Just press the Ctrl+A command on your keyboard to select all data and press the delete button to clean the SoftwareDistribution folder.

 Step 4: Close File Explorer and then again open the Run command box with Windows + R.

Step 5: Type “powershell” in the Run and press Ctrl+Shift+Enter to access the PowerShell tool with admin access. Powershell is just like a terminal. You can run system commands here.

Step 6: Type this command or copy-paste it in the powershell and press enter.

Clear-RecycleBin -force -ErrorAction:Ignore

Step 7: Now close PowerShell and download the batch file from here:

https://easyupload.io/caubjh

Step 8: Extract the folder and right-click on the WUReset. Then choose Run as administrator to run the file.

Step 9: It will ask you to press a key to start the process. Press any key on your keyboard to execute the batch file.

Step 10: Repeat the process and press any key if asked again to continue. When done, close the cmd window.

Step 11: You have to reboot your computer so that your system will reset the Windows update service and solve the issue.

Try to download the new Windows update now. It should work without any issue.

Method 4: Configure Windows Update Settings

Wrong Windows update settings can cause this problem. So you have to configure your Windows update settings and make sure that everything is fine.

First of all, make sure that you are using your system as an administrator.

Follow these steps:

Step 1: Open the start menu with the Windows button on your keyboard.

Step 2: Search for “Windows update settings” and click on it.

Step 4: Enable the option “Restart the device after update“.

When you first install the Windows Update, there will be an option to restart your computer. You should always click “restart”, even if your computer shows no signs of error. This ensures that the new features of the update have been properly applied, and your operating system will be able to “see-through” the restarted process. However, this step is often forgotten and leads to other errors, like Microsoft Store 0x80070005 error.

Method 5: Check Firewall Settings

Sometimes Windows Firewall blocks windows update files, and that is why you are facing a 0x80070005 Windows update failed error code. To check and edit firewall settings, follow these steps:

Step 1: Open the start menu > search for the windows defender firewall.

Step 2: Now click on windows defender Firewall and open it.

Step 3: Click on the Allow a program or feature through Windows Firewall in the left window.

Step 4: Now click on Change settings.

Step 5: Click on Allow another app.

Step 6: Click on Browse to locate the svchost.exe file.

Step 7: Search for “svchost.exe file” and click on it.

Step 8: Then click on Add to allow it through a firewall.

Step 9: Now you can see a new service called Host Process for Windows Services in the list.

Step 10: Click on OK to save changes, and it’s done.

Method 6: Clean Windows Temporary Files

Sometimes old windows temporary can cause Windows 0x80070005 issues. It is good practice to keep deleting old temporary files. You can manually delete all the registry files using these steps.

Step 1: Open the Run utility with Windows + R key on your keyboard.

Step 2: Type “%TEMP%” in the blank space and press enter, as shown in the image below.

Step 3: Delete everything here. To select all, press Ctrl + A and then press the delete button.

Step 4: If asked for permission, click on Continue. Also, skip all the files which can be deleted.

Step 5: Once done, empty your Recycle Bin.

Step 6: Now restart your PC and then follow Steps 1 to 3 again. Now you will be able to delete all temporary files. Once done, repeat step 5.

You can also use 3rd party cleaner tools to remove temporary files automatically and also schedule the process. So you don’t have to worry about it.

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Final Words

The Windows update error 0x80070005 is very common and so many users have experienced the same issue while installing the new update. The error is very to solve and no technical knowledge is required. We hope you solved the issue and the Windows update service is working fine.

If you need any help or want to ask any questions related to this topic, then comment below.