If you get the error that tells you “Failure configuring Windows updates. Reverting changes. Do not turn off your computer” when you are updating your Windows computer, you are not alone. Many Windows users are reporting this. But don’t worry. Most of them are able to fix this error with one of the following solutions. You may not have to try these all; just work from the top down until you find the one that works.
Method 1: Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter
Method 2: Install the system updates in a clean boot state
Method 3: Clear your Windows Update cache
Method 4: Restore or reinstall your Windows
Method 1: Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter
The error you’ve seen may be caused by Windows Update. You should run the Windows Update Troubleshooter to check and fix problems about Windows Update.
1) Download Windows Update Troubleshooter from Microsoft.
2) Click Next to run this tool to troubleshoot your system.
3) After the troubleshooting finishes, try running Windows Update and see if you can install the updates.
Method 2: Install the system updates in a clean boot state
There may be some service or functionality that causes the error. You should put your computer in a clean boot state (where only the essential services and functionalities are running) to check if you can install system updates and to identify the problem service. To perform a clean boot:
1) Log on your operating system as an administrator.
2) Press Windows key
and R key on your keyboard at the same time to invoke Run dialog.
3) Type “msconfig” and press Enter on your keyboard.
4) Select Selective startup and untick Load startup items.
5) Select the Services tab. Tick Hide all Microsoft services. Then click Disable all. And finally hit OK.
6) Restart your computer.
Your computer will be in a clean boot state after the restart. Try updating your Windows then and see if the error is gone.
If this resolves your problem, enable one disabled service at a time on the Services tab and then restart your computer. Then run Windows Update and see if you get the error. Repeat this until you find the service that has caused the trouble.
NOTE: You should put your computer back to the normal state after the troubleshooting. To do so, select Normal startup on the General tab, and enable all the services listed on the Services tab. Then restart your computer.
Method 3: Clear your Windows Update cache
The Failure configuring error is sometimes caused by the faulty files in your Windows Update cache. You should clear your Windows Update cache to see if this fix the error. To do so:
1) Press Windows key and R key on your keyboard at the same time to invoke Run dialog.
2) Type in “services.msc” and press Enter on your keyboard.
3) Double click Windows Update.
4) Click the Stop button to stop this service. Then click OK.
5) Double click Background Intelligent Transfer Service and stop using the same way.
6) Minimize the Services window.
7) Open Windows File Explorer (on your keyboard, press the Windows logo key and E at the same time)
8) Go to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download.
9) Delete all the files in the Download folder.
10) Click the Services icon in your taskbar to return to the Services window.
11) Restart Windows Update and Background Intelligent Transfer Service.
12) Reboot your computer and see if the problem is resolved.
Method 4: Restore or reinstall your Windows
Sometimes you could still get the failure configuring error after you try all the methods above. In this case, you can restore your Windows to a restore point or reinstall your operating system.
To restore your system:
1) Right click on This PC on the desktop and select Properties.
2) Select System protection.
3) Click System Restore.
4) Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the restore process.
If you haven’t created a restore point before, you can perform a reinstallation instead. You can use a Windows installation media like a Windows DVD or USB drive and perform a complete reinstallation of your operating system. This should resolve your Windows updates installing problem.