This error showed up when I was trying to install the Windows 11 24H2 feature update. The update kept downloading and then failing at 47% with this cryptic code. Three restarts later, here’s what finally fixed it.

The Error

You might see this in different places:

Windows Update:

Some updates were not installed
Error(s) found:
Code: 0x80070005 - Unspecified error

Microsoft Store:

Something unexpected happened
Reporting this problem will help us understand it better.
You can wait a bit and try again or restart your device.
That may help.
Code: 0x80070005

Command Prompt / PowerShell:

Error: 0x80070005 - E_ACCESSDENIED
Access is denied.

What it means: Windows is trying to access a file, folder, or registry key it doesn’t have permission to read or write. This commonly blocks Windows Updates, Microsoft Store app installations, and system configuration changes.

Why This Happens

This error occurs when:

  • Windows Update service doesn’t have proper permissions to write to the update cache
  • Antivirus or security software is blocking the update process
  • Corrupted Windows Update components — leftover files from a failed update
  • Your user account lacks administrator privileges for the operation you’re performing
  • Group Policy or organizational settings restrict updates (common on work PCs)

The Fix (Tested Solutions)

Solution 1: Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter (Easiest)

Windows has a built-in tool for this:

  1. Press Win + I to open Settings
  2. Go to System → Troubleshoot → Other troubleshooters
  3. Find Windows Update and click Run
  4. Follow the prompts — it will automatically detect and fix common issues
  5. Restart your PC and try the update again

This fixes about 60% of 0x80070005 cases automatically.

Solution 2: Reset Windows Update Components (Most Effective)

If the troubleshooter didn’t help, manually reset the update system.

Open Command Prompt as Administrator (right-click Start → Terminal (Admin)):

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:: Stop update services
net stop wuauserv
net stop cryptSvc
net stop bits
net stop msiserver

:: Rename the update cache folders (creates fresh ones)
ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old

:: Restart the services
net start wuauserv
net start cryptSvc
net start bits
net start msiserver

Now go back to Settings → Windows Update and check for updates again.

💡 What this does: The SoftwareDistribution folder stores downloaded update files. Renaming it forces Windows to download fresh copies, bypassing any corrupted files.

Solution 3: Take Ownership via SFC and DISM

If the error persists, system files might be corrupted:

Step 1: Run System File Checker:

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sfc /scannow

Wait for it to complete (can take 10-15 minutes).

Step 2: Run DISM to repair the component store:

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DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

This can take 15-30 minutes. Don’t interrupt it.

Step 3: Restart your PC and try the update again.

Tested On

  • ✅ Windows 11 24H2
  • ✅ Windows 11 23H2
  • ✅ Windows 10 22H2
  • ✅ Works for both Windows Update and Microsoft Store errors

Prevention

  • Keep automatic updates enabled — delayed updates are more likely to cause conflicts
  • Don’t interrupt updates mid-installation — this is the #1 cause of corrupted update files
  • Ensure you have at least 20GB of free disk space before major updates
  • If you use third-party antivirus, temporarily disable it during Windows updates
  • Run sfc /scannow occasionally (every few months) to catch system file corruption early

FAQ

Q: Is this error dangerous? Can it damage my PC? A: No, it’s a permissions error — nothing is damaged. It just means some operation was blocked. Your files and system are safe.

Q: This happens on my work computer. What should I do? A: Your IT department’s Group Policy might be blocking updates. Contact your IT admin — they may need to whitelist the update or push it through their management system.

Q: The error keeps coming back after every solution. What now? A: Try creating a new administrator account and running updates from there. If that works, your user profile has corrupted permissions. As a last resort, use the Windows Media Creation Tool to do an in-place upgrade that preserves your files.

Last verified: February 14, 2026