Did you encounter an update error 0x800704c7 while installing pending updates on your Windows 11/10 PC? If yes, and you are searching for the reasons behind it, you have come to the right place. Here, in this post, we will discuss three different solutions that might help you overcome this update error.
Windows Update Error 0x800704c7, Fixed
If you are failing to install pending updates because of an error code 0x800704c7, consider applying the below fixes, and have this problem resolved.
- Run Windows Update Troubleshooter
- Try SFC and DISM Scans
- Reset Windows Update Components
- Manually download and install pending updates
1] Run Windows Update Troubleshooter
The most effective way to solve an update-related error is by running the Update troubleshooter. This tool checks for the underlying causes and provides some handy solutions to overcome the same error code. The correct approach to run this tool on Windows is as follows –
Windows 11:
- Open Settings (Win + I) and navigate to the below path on it –
System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters
- Locate Windows Update under Most Frequent and hit the Run button.
- This tool will check for possible causes behind this error code and resolve them as well.
- Even in cases, where this tool fails to provide resolutions to an error 0x800704c7, this will tell you ways how to overcome this error code on Windows 11.
- Follow those tricks and have this problem resolved.
- Make sure to restart your computer after you follow any of the suggestions mentioned by this troubleshooting tool.
Windows 10:
The steps are more or less similar to what we have provided in the above section. The only difference in Windows 10 is the location where you can find this troubleshooting tool. Well, you find the same by reaching out to the below path –
Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshooters > Additional troubleshooters
- Click on Windows update to expand its box, and hit Run the troubleshooter.
Now, follow the on-screen instructions to complete the troubleshooting. After this is over, restart your Windows 10 PC.
2] Try SFC and DISM Scans
If you use third-party antivirus, the update error 0x800704c7 could be the direct result of interactions between the system files and the antivirus program. Uninstall or at least such apps on your computer first and then try running System File Checker or DISM utility.
Here’s how to run both of these tools on the same console –
- Launch Command Prompt as administrator first.
- On the elevated console, copy/paste the below command, and press Enter.
sfc /scannow
- Wait for the next 10-15 minutes while the scanning and repairing of system files are going on.
- When the SFC scan completes, run this DISM command –
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
- Just like SFC, DISM also takes some time to find and repair any issues within the System Image.
- Once you execute both SFC and DISM commands, close Command Prompt, and restart your computer.
Sign back into your device and check if you can update Windows normally now.
3] Reset Windows Update Components
Over a while, Windows cache folders get filled with unnecessary files and folders that are not relevant to your recent updates. These non-essential data often interact with the system processes like updating Windows and prevent an update from ever happening.
You can never be sure of this unless and until you repair all your system files and folders. Instead of repairing these files, it’s better to reset all components of Windows Update. Well, follow these steps to purge the Windows Cache folders.
- First of all, disable all update-related services.
- To do so, open Run (Win + R), type CMD on it and hit Ctrl + Shift + Enter.
- The UAC window will prompt next, hit Yes to authorize accessing the Command Prompt.
- Copy/paste these commands on it and press Enter to ensure disabling all update services.
net stop wuauserv
net stop cryptSvc
net stop bits
net stop msiserver
- After you have successfully disabled all services, purge both SoftwareDistribution and Catroot2 folders. To do this, you must run these two codes next –
ren C:WindowsSoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
ren C:WindowsSystem32catroot2 Catroot2.old
- The above codes will add an .old extension to their existing names.
- Assuming you have already renamed both these folders successfully, make sure to re-enable all services that you have stopped before. To do so, run these codes one after another –
net start wuauserv
net start cryptSvc
net start bits
net start msiserver
Restart your PC next and check if you can update Windows normally now.
4] Manually download and install pending updates
If the error code 0x800704c7 still occurs, consider manually downloading and installing the pending updates. For this, you require the KB number that is failing on your computer. Go to Windows 10 Update history or Windows 11 Update history pages, and note down the latest cumulative update number for your Windows version.
Now, visit Microsoft’s Update catalog, and search for the noted-down “KB” number. Pick the standalone package that best matches your system architecture and hit the Download button. Moving forward, click the top link. Doing so will download the recent cumulative update in .msu file format. Double-click on the downloaded file to begin upgrading to the chosen OS Build.
Here’s a complete guideline on how to download and install pending updates manually on Windows 11 or Windows 10.
