Hi René,

0x80070002 error is common error relevant to Windows update. When you are working with your Windows PC and trying to install system updates, you might run into error code 0x80070002. You can follow the below methods to resolve this issue:

Method 1: Check date and time settings
This solution sounds ridiculous but it does works for many users. If time or date is incorrect, it’ll have bad effect on Windows update service and it’s necessary to check settings of date and time first when you get the error, which is quite easy.

• Click “Date and Time” on the lower-right corner of screen and click “Change date and time settings”.
• You’ll see the “Date and Time” window and click the “Change date and time” button.
• The previous brings about the “Date and Time Settings” applet where you should set correct date and time. Then Click “OK” to save changes.

Method 2: Remove Windows update files
If you get 0x80070002 error because of failed system update process, which means some files are corrupted. Hence, we should delete those files and try Windows update once again. You can follow these steps to settle the problem manually.

1. Stop Windows Update service.

• Click “Start” button and select “Control Panel”. Type “Administrative Tools” in the search box and press Enter.
• On the pop-up windows find and double-click “Service”. If you are asked to provide administrator password or confirmation, type password and give confirmation.
• Click the tab “Name” to sort items alphabetically, after which you can find out Windows Update service easily. Right-click it and select Stop. For Windows XP users, please find out Automatic Updates and right-click it to select Stop.

2. Delete corrupted update files in SoftwareDistribution folder

• Open My Computer and double-click drive C where operating system is installed.
• Open Windows folder and double-click SoftwareDistribution folder to open it.
• Open the DataStore folder and delete all files and folders in this folder. Then back to the SoftwareDistribution folder and double click Download folder to delete everything in it.

3. Restart Windows Update service
Follow operations in Step 1 to locate Windows Update service. Right-click it and click Start. Close Service windows and Administrator Tools window.

Method 3: Use Windows Update troubleshooter
Another common way to cope with the issue is using Microsoft Fix It Tool which can be downloaded online. This tool is able to automatically diagnose and fix common problems with Windows Update.

I hope this helps.

Regards,
Lokesh

Hi René,

If you receive Windows Update error 80070002 while checking for updates, you need to remove the temporary update files that Windows uses to identify updates for your computer. To remove the temporary files, stop the Windows Update service, delete the temporary update files, restart the Windows Update service, and then try to check for Windows updates again.

To stop the Windows Update service

You must be logged on as an administrator to perform these steps.

1. Open Administrative Tools by clicking the Start button , clicking Control Panel, clicking System and Maintenance, and then clicking Administrative Tools.
2. Double-click Services. If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
3. Right-click the Windows Update service, and then click Stop.

To delete temporary update files

1. Open Computer by clicking the Start button , and then clicking Computer.
2. Double-click the local hard disk where Windows is installed, typically drive C.
3. Double-click the Windows folder, and then double-click the SoftwareDistribution folder.
4. Double-click the DataStore folder to open it, and then delete all files and folders in the folder. If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
5. Click the Back button. In the SoftwareDistribution folder, double-click the Download folder to open it, and then delete all files in the folder. If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

To restart the Windows Update service

You must be logged on as an administrator to perform these steps.

1. Open Administrative Tools by clicking the Start button , clicking Control Panel, clicking System and Maintenance, and then clicking Administrative Tools.
2. Double-click Services. If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
3. Right-click the Windows Update service, and then click Start.

To see which updates are installed on the computer

Deleting temporary update files will help solve the problem, but it will also delete the history in Windows Update. You can still see which updates are installed on your computer by going to Installed Updates.

• Open Installed Updates by clicking the Start button , clicking Control Panel, clicking Programs, and then, underPrograms and Features, clicking View installed updates.

To use the System Update Readiness Tool

If the problem continues after you have followed the steps above, check for updates again using the following steps. When checking for updates again, if you are offered the option to download and run the System Update Readiness Tool, do it. The System Update Readiness Tool is only offered to computers that have a condition that the tool might be able to resolve.

1. Open Windows Update by clicking the Start button , clicking All Programs, and then clicking Windows Update.
2. In the left pane, click Check for updates.

To run the System Update Readiness Tool manually

If you are offered the System Update Readiness Tool, but you encounter a problem using Windows Update, you can manually download and run the tool. You'll need to know the version of Windows and system type you are using.

1. Go to the System Update Readiness Tool webpage. In the Information for advanced users section, find the version of Windows and system type of your computer, and then click the link to download the System Update Readiness Tool. If you don't know which version of Windows you have, see View your computer information.
2. Run Windows Update again.

   Note

   • Typically, the scan takes 15 minutes or less, but it can take longer on some computers. The Windows Update progress bar is not updated during the scan, and progress seems to stop at 60% complete for some time. This behavior is expected. The scan is still running and you should not cancel the update.

If you continue to see this error, see this automatic troubleshooter on the Microsoft Support website, or go to the Microsoft Answers website for more assistance.


Best Regards,


Ryan