We couldn’t install Windows 10 – 0xC1900101 Error

According to the reports, 0xc1900101 error basically occurs with the BSOD, and that’s why it is quite irritating and painful. In this article, you will learn some potential solutions to fix this error.

If we talk about installing or Updating Windows 10, a large number of issues that you could experience. In most cases, the system displays an error message that could help you to figure out the issue.

We couldn't install Windows 10 - 0xC1900101 error

This article might help while updating and installing the Windows 10 operating system. This error comes with an error message is – 

Couldn’t update to Windows 10, Sorry we couldn’t complete the update to Windows. 
We’ve restored your previous version of Windows to this PC.

What does 0xC1900101 Error mean?

0xC1900101 error is basically a generic rollback code and simply means that one or more drivers on your device have been corrupted. The presence of incompatible device drivers may cause blue screens, system crashes, or sometimes even unexpected system reboots. 

Here is a series of Windows 10 Installation Errors that frequently appears while installing Windows 10.

  • 0xC1900101 – 0x3000D
  • 0xC1900101 – 0x20004
  • 0xC1900101 – 0x30018
  • 0xC1900101 – 0x4000D
  • 0xC1900101 – 0x2000c
  • 0xC1900101 – 0x20017
  • 0xC1900101 – 0x40017

How to Fix Windows 10 Installation Error 0xC1900101

To Fix Windows 10 Installation Error 0xC1900101, follow the steps –

1] Disconnect All External Devices

Sometimes, the issue related to the Windows 10 Installation Error 0xC1900101 might occur because of the connected multiple peripheral devices to your computer. For example – A microphone, digital camera, speaker, printer, and many others.

When the operating system tries to figure out the drivers for each of them that results in getting stuck. However, the drivers of external devices sometimes may not be compatible with the operating system.

Accordingly, in order to fix this problem, we recommend you unplug all non-essential external devices. After that, restart your computer and check if the error 0xC1900101 is still persisting there. If it doesn’t work for you then move to the next workaround.

2] Free up Hard Drive Space to fix 0xC1900101 error

Sometimes, you may experience the Windows 10 Installation Error 0xC1900101 issue while updating your system. It is one of the most common problems that is being encountered by Windows users. In order to upgrade to a 32-bit Operating system, you must have at least 16 GB of free space in your hard drive. Whereas to upgrade a 64-bit Operating system, your system requires a minimum of 20 GB of space.

Alongside this, the minimum space must be available in your C drive so that Windows could download the updates directly in the required folder. If you don’t find a way to get the space in the drive, you can quickly free up your hard drive using the Disk Cleanup method. Here is how to do it –

  • Click on the Start button and type cleanmgr in the text field.
  • Select the Disk Cleanup option from the list.
  • Choose the C: drive and then click on the OK button.
  • At this moment, your device will start checking the temporary and unnecessary files. 
  • Next, click the “Clean up system file” button.

0xC1900101 error

  • Select the C: drive again and press the OK button.
  • Mark all the checkboxes and hit OK to delete these data.

0xC1900101 error

  • Once it completes the process, restart your system so as to remove any leftovers as well.

3] Run Windows Update Troubleshooter

If there is something wrong with your hardware, it can result in the occurrence of Error 0xc1900101 on your screen. In this case, you can run Windows Update Troubleshooter to check whether the problem exists due to your hardware. Here is how to do it –

  • Click on the Start button and select the Settings icon, available in the left sidebar.
  • Select the Update & Security category to continue.
  • From the left pane, select the Troubleshoot option and then move to the right pane.
  • Select the Windows Update feature and then click on the Run the troubleshooter button.

0xC1900101 error

  • After that, wait for a while until the device detects the problems. 
  • If there is any issue found with the hardware, it will be displayed when the scanning process gets completed.
  • So, at this time, all you need is to select the problems and fix them.

However, if it doesn’t encounter such problems, then it may not be a hardware problem. And in this case, you need to move to the next method.

4] Update Device Drivers via Device Manager

Microsoft recommends always keeping all the system drivers updated. This would be quite useful for third-party accessories that are installed on your Windows. It is the network driver or graphics driver available on your computer. If you are unable to find the update via Windows, then you need to check with the OEM website and after that update it. In order to update it, follow the below steps –

  • Right-click on the Start button and select Device Manager from the list.
  • In the Device Manager window, find the driver you have to update. There is usually a yellow exclamation sign before the defined category so that, you can easily identify these drivers from the list.
  • From the list of drivers, expand each hardware section and view any issue.
  • Once you find the driver, right-click on it and select the Properties option.
  • In the wizard, move to the Driver tab and select the Update Driver option.

Error codes in Device Manager

  • On the next page, click on Search automatically for updated driver software.
  • That’s it. Windows will automatically identify, download and install the driver.

Once you complete the above procedure, restart your device and check if the 0xC1900101 error still persists. If this method doesn’t resolve it, then try the next one.

5] Remove third-party security software

Anti-Virus and other security programs are commonly known as the savior of the computer device as it helps to protect them against malware and security breaches. However, it becomes notorious and vulnerable when it appears to perform any high-level changes in the Windows Update.

In this case, you need to disable such applications including Windows Defender. Also, you can keep them away from your device until the update issues get fixed.

6] Run Disk Checking Utility via Command Prompt

Sometimes Windows Update fails due to the appearance of problems in the hard drive. In this case, you need to run an elevated command prompt and execute the run chkdsk command line. That way, you can free Windows from the nagging issues. Here is how to do it –

  • Click on the Start button and type cmd
  • Select Command Prompt from the list and then right-click on it.
  • From the context menu, select Run as administrator.
  • If UAC prompts on the screen, click on the Yes button.
  • In the elevated Command Prompt, type the following command line.

chkdsk C: /f /r /x

    • C –  It represents the Disk where the OS is installed. You can change this to D: or E: whichever is applicable. 
    • f – indicates fixing the scanned bugs.
    • r – implies detecting the existing problems in the Disk.
    • x – stands for splitting up the disk volume to help the detection process.
  • Pressing the Enter key the Disk Checking Utility starts looking for bad sectors.
  • This will take a while, therefore, wait until this gets over. 
  • Finally, restart your device so that the changes come into effect.

7] Perform a Clean Boot to install the Windows Updates

If none of the above workarounds work for the 0xC1900101 error, then you can start your system in Clean Boot State. In this state, you need to run Windows Update and check whether it works.

However, there is a great possibility that it could work. It helps you to stay connected to the internet so that you can download and install the updates with minimal conflict issues.

That would be all for now. Let’s know in the comment section which solution works in your case.

Rishi

Rishi

Rishi, an ambititous undergraduate student, is passionate about finding and solving issues that appears in Windows, or other operating systems. He has a keen eye for detail when it comes to comparing different operating systems, smartphones, smartwatches, and other tech items.