Windows 11 Cumulative Update not downloading and installing Fix

Windows sends the Cumulative Updates along with their steady, regular feature updates and quality updates. But, while installing this Cumulative Update, you may have noticed that this update process is quite slow. Sometimes even this update process fails to install it on your computer. So, in this article, we have addressed this issue and offered some of the quickest solution that you can try to fix the problem.

Point to Remember

Cumulative Updates are usually bigger in size and usually takes longer to download and install it on your computer. So we recommend you put the computer to update process at overnight and it should be complete by the next morning.

 

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Fix 1 – Download the update manually

Note down the KB number and download the update manually.

Step 1 – Hold the ⊞ Win+I keys. Then, go to the “Windows Update“.

Step 2 – Now, you will see a KB number alongside the Cumulative Update. Note down this number.



 

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Step 3 – Open Microsoft Update Catalog.

Step 4 – Then, put the KB number that you have noted before and tap “Search” to search for the updates.

 

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Step 5 – You will see the Cumulative Updates in the search results. Depending upon the CPU you have (x64 or ARM-based), tap “Download” to download the update.

 

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Step 6 – Tap the .msu link to download it.

 

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Step 7 – Just run the downloaded standalone installer file and follow the on-screen steps to install the Cumulative Update.

 

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This is a definite fix for the issue you are facing with Cumulative Updates.

 

Fix 2 – Rename the Software Distribution folder

SoftwareDistribution folder contains all the download update packages. Renaming it should force Windows Update process to create a new one.

You have to stop the ongoing Windows Update processes running in the background.

Step 1 – To do that, write “cmd” in the search box. When “Command Prompt” appears in the search results, click “Run as administrator” to open it.

 

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Step 2 – Next, just copy-paste these these three lines of code one after another and hit Enter to run all the commands.

This will put those Windows Update services to a stop.

net stop bits
net stop wuauserv
net stop cryptsvc

 

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Step 3 – Now, this is the most important step. Copy these lines from this page and paste them on your terminal. Then, push the Enter button once.

ren %systemroot%\softwaredistribution softwaredistribution.bak
ren %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 catroot2.bak

This way, you can rename the SoftwareDistribution and Catroot folders.

 

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Step 4 – Now, copy-paste these codes and hit Enter to resume those stopped services.

net start bits
net start wuauserv
net start cryptsvc

 

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Exit the Command Prompt screen, after running all those specified commands.

Finally, it is time to restart your machine after this. When the Windows restarts, try to install the Cumulative Update once more. Leave the computer alone for sometime and get back to check the status.

When you try to do that, Windows automatically recreates a new, fresh SoftwareDistribution and Catroot folder. You won’t face any difficulty installing the Cumulative Updates anymore.

 

Fix 3 – Run the Windows Update troubleshooter

You can run the Windows Update troubleshooter to identify and fix the issue.

Step 1 – Launch Settings. Press Win+E keys together.  Now, go to the “System“.

Step 2 – On the right-hand pane, you can locate “Troubleshoot“. Open that up.

 

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Step 3 Next, tap “Other troubleshooters” to get the full list of troubleshooters.

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Step 4 – Through the full list of troubleshooters, look for “Windows Update“.

Step 5 – Once you have found that, tap “Run” to run the update troubleshooter.

 

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Windows Update troubleshooter will scan your computer for any Windows Update issues and fix it in the due process. Wait for the troubleshooter to narrow down the search and fix the Cumulative Update issue you are facing.

 

Fix 4 – Check the storage space in Windows drive

This is very important parameter while updating the system. Windows requires quite a large amount of free space to download updates and install them.

Step 1 – Check the amount of free space you have on your Windows drive. Just use the ⊞ Win+E keys together.

Step 2 – Go to the This PC. After this, check the amount of free space you have on the Windows drive.

 



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Step 3 – If you see there aren’t enough free space available in Windows driver, press the Win key+R keys together.

Step 4 – Then, write this. Then, hit Enter.

cleanmgr

 

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Step 5 – Make sure to select the Windows drive. Then, tap “OK“.

 

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Step 6 – Now, check all these boxes –

Temporary Internet Files
DirectX Shader Cache
Delivery Optimization Files
Recycle Bin

Step 7 – Tap “OK“.

Step 8 – Disk Cleanup will show a warning message. Tap “Delete Files“.

 

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After clearing up the Windows drive, run the Windows Update once more and test.

You won’t face any difficulties installing the updates.