To resolve this issue, use the following methods starting with the first method below. If that doesn't resolve your issue, click next method.
Restart your computer (Windows 8 only) To restart Windows 8, follow these steps:
- Swipe from the upper-right corner of the screen (or if you're using a mouse, move your pointer to the upper-right hand corner of the screen), and then tap or click Settings.
- Tap or click Power, and then tap or click Restart.
- Try to install Windows Updates again.
Unplug your removable media from the computer (Windows 8, Windows 7, and Windows Vista)You have to unplug all your removable media from the computer, such as removable disks (Blu-ray disks, DVDs, CDs), memory cards (CompactFlash card, Secure Digital card, Memory Stick), and USB flash drives.
These removable media may cause this issue during the restart of Windows.
Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter (Windows 8, Windows 7, and Windows Vista)Windows 8 or Windows 7To download and run the Windows Update troubleshooter, click the
run now button below, or you can open it by following the steps below:
The Automatically diagnose and fix common problems with Windows Update troubleshooter may automatically fix the problem described in this article.
This troubleshooter fixes many problems. learn more |
run now |
Note The Windows Update Troubleshooter may have text that is available in English only. After the Windows Update Troubleshooter is complete your previous Windows Update history may be deleted.
If you don't have an Internet connection in Windows 8, you can open the Windows Update troubleshooter that's included in Windows 8. However, that troubleshooter does not perform all the troubleshooting steps that the linked troubleshooter above does.
- Open the Windows Update troubleshooter by swiping in from the right edge of the screen, tapping Search (or if you're using a mouse, pointing to the upper-right corner of the screen, moving the mouse pointer down, and then clicking Search).
- Type Troubleshooting, tap or click on Settings, and then tap or click Troubleshooting.
- Under System and Security, tap or click Fix Problems with Windows Update, and then click Next.
Windows VistaInstall Windows updates in a clean boot state (Windows 8, Windows 7, and Windows Vista)Installing Windows updates in a clean boot state will avoid the Windows updates installation being blocked by some other applications and services that are installed in Windows. To perform a clean boot in Windows, see
how to perform a clean boot to troubleshoot a problem in Windows 8, Windows 7, or Windows Vista.
Perform a system restore (Windows 8, Windows 7, and Windows Vista)Note You must be logged on to Windows with an administrator account to complete this method. If this is a computer that is part of a network at work, you should ask the system administrator for help. For information about how to log into Windows as an administrator, click one of the following links, depending on the version of Windows that you're running:
How to log into Windows as an administrator in Windows 8
How to log into Windows as an administrator in Windows 7 or Windows Vista
When you start your computer by using the Windows installation disc, you can perform system recovery options on startup. To do this, follow these steps:
Note If your computer is not configured to start from a CD or from a DVD, or if Windows came preinstalled on your computer without the CDs or DVDs, see the documentation that was included with the computer for instruction about how to continue, or skip to the next method.
Windows 8Windows Vista or Windows 7Perform an in-place upgrade (reinstallation) (Windows 7 and Windows Vista)Performing an in-place upgrade will restore the current Windows installation to the version of the installation DVD. This also requires the installation of all updates that are not included on the installation DVD. If your computer came with Windows pre-installed, review your computer's documentation for instructions on how to do an in-place upgrade. Otherwise, follow these steps.
Note We strongly recommend that you back up all your personal files. For information, see
how to back up your files.
- Insert the Windows Vista or Windows 7 DVD in the computer's DVD drive.
- In the Setup window, click Install Now.
- Note If Windows does not automatically detect the DVD, follow these steps:
- Click Start, and then type Drive:\setup.exe in the Start Search box. Note The Drive placeholder is the drive letter of the computer's DVD drive, usually D:\.
- In the Programs list, click Setup.exe.
- In the Setup window, click Install Now.
- Click Go online to obtain the latest updates for installation (recommended).
- Type the CD key if you are prompted to do this.
- Select the operating system in the Install Windows page you want to upgrade.
- Click Yes to accept the Microsoft Software License Terms.
- On the Which type of installation do you want? screen, click Upgrade.
- When the installation is complete, restart your computer.