Microsoft recently issued a cumulative update for Windows 10 (KB3093266) which has been problematic for quite a few users, myself included. In my case, installation failed with the error code 0x80004005. Running the Windows Update troubleshooter informed me that there was a problem with a registry corruption, which I seriously doubted, and Running the System File Scanner tool via the “sfc /scannow” command confirmed zero integrity violations. So, it was off to the internet to see if others were experiencing similar issues with this update.
I quickly learned that I was not alone, there are indeed many reports of failures when trying to install this update, not all identical but very similar. I finally stumbled upon a solution which worked for me:
- Open an elevated command prompt and copy and paste the following command: net stop wuauserv, then press Enter
- Wait for confirmation that the service is stopped
- Delete the edb.log file by copying and pasting the following command into the command prompt: del %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore\Logs\edb.log
- You can also delete the file manually by navigating to the location in Windows Explorer
- Now restart the service with this command: net start wuauserv
- Restart the computer
As I said, this worked for me and the recalcitrant update installed without further ado. However, it hasn’t worked for everybody so your mileage may vary.
- View the original thread in full here: Windows 10 Forums
Well that’s a coincidence.
I had that update notification this morning and for no reason at all went off to find out what the update was and came across this result.
It appears to have installed correctly on my machine anyway and never reappeared after restart.
Thanks Jim. Was having the same problem; no help on internet search until I landed back here on your blog. 🙂
Hi Jim, just wanted to let you know this actually solved the problem for me! Thanks!
Thanks! Worked for me after no success trying recommendations from MS. Will file this away for future reference.
Thanks
Thanks, I will try it once I get a few things sorted..
Something not right with it, the *downloaded* Troubleshooter. I’m told it doesn’t work with 10.
It says to me “Detected” (not fixed) missing or corrupt files, but in Details tells me SFC Output: Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.
That’s the same result I have had from running sfc /scannow for a good while now anyway.
The troubleshooter, it turns out, is actually integrated with 10. Control Panel > Troubleshooting.
Windows Update is listed under System and Security. “View all” (upper left) to get the BITS troubleshooter.
Just saying, fwiw.