How to fix 0x80070017 error in Windows 10

The Windows 10 0x80070017 error is one of the most common Windows update errors.

It usually occurs when users install the latest updates on their computers or when they upgrade their OS version.

It appears that error 0x80070017 occurs more frequently when users try to install the Anniversary Update or the Creators Update on their systems.

Here’s how one user describes this issue:

My computer has been upgraded from Windows 8 to Windows 10 since the upgrade offer came out. Today, I am trying to run the Creator Upgrade. The download process took about 40 minutes, then the verification mode started.

It proceeded to 76% then failed three times. Each failure presented a 0x80070017 error. The upgrade process would not proceed from that point. How do I resolve this error so I can complete the upgrade?

Error 0x80070017 can be problematic, and it can prevent you from installing or updating Windows. Speaking of this error, here are some similar issues that users reported:

• Windows Update error 0x80070017 – This error usually appears while trying to download the latest updates. If that happens, be sure to restart Windows Update components and check if that helps.
• Error code 0x80070017 Windows 7 – According to users, this error can appear on Windows 7 and older versions of Windows. Even if you don’t use Windows 10, most of our solutions are compatible with older versions of Windows, so feel free to try them out.
• 0x80070017 System Restore – In some cases, this error can appear while trying to perform System Restore. However, you should be able to fix this problem simply by disabling your antivirus.

If you’re experiencing the same issue, then you should follow the troubleshooting steps listed below.

How can I fix the 0x80070017 error in Windows 10?

1. General troubleshooting steps

1. Restart your PC a few times, then try again.
2. Disconnect all peripherals.
3. When updating through Windows Update, disable your Internet connection, and proceed with the installation when the download reaches 100%.

Follow the recommendations listed above, and then try running Windows Update again.

2. Disable your antivirus

According to users, sometimes your antivirus can interfere with your system and cause 0x80070017 error to appear.

To fix that, it’s advised to disable certain antivirus features, such as firewall for example, and check if that helps.

If that doesn’t help, your next step would be to disable your antivirus entirely. In case the problem still persists, you might have to uninstall your antivirus.

Even if you uninstall your antivirus, you’ll still be protected by Windows Defender, so there’s no need to worry about your safety.

If removing the antivirus solves the problem, it might be a good time for you to consider switching to a different third-party antivirus.

There are many great antivirus tools on the market, but if you’re looking for an antivirus that won’t interfere with your system while providing great security, try our recommendation below.

3. Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter

1. Press Windows Key + I to open the Settings app.
2. When Settings app opens, navigate to Update & Security section.
   
3. From the menu on the left choose Troubleshoot. In the right pane, click Run the troubleshooter.
   
4. Follow the instructions to complete the troubleshooter.

Windows 10 comes with various troubleshooters that can fix many problems, and if you have issues with error 0x80070017, we suggest you run Windows Update troubleshooter.

Once the process is finished, check if the problem with Windows Update still appears.

4. Update your drivers

If this issue occurs while trying to install updates or a new build of Windows, the issue might be your drivers.

Several users reported that outdated drivers caused error 0x80070017 to appear on their PC, but they managed to fix the problem by updating their drivers.

Updating drivers manually can be a tedious process, however, there are tools that can automatically update all your drivers for you with just a single click.

We strongly recommend a reliable driver update tool to automatically download all the outdated drivers on your PC.

5. Reset your Windows Update components

1. Press the Windows Key + X, and select Command Prompt (Admin) or Powershell (Admin).
   
2. When Command Prompt opens, run the following commands one by one:

net stop wuauservnet stop cryptSvcnet stop bitsnet stop msiserverRen C:WindowsSoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.oldRen C:WindowsSystem32catroot2 Catroot2.oldnet start wuauservnet start cryptSvcnet start bitsnet start msiserver

Sometimes your Windows Update components might not be working properly, and that can lead to error 0x80070017.

However, you can fix the problem by resetting Windows Update components.

After running these commands, all related Windows Update services will be restarted and the problem should be resolved.

If you don’t want to run all these commands manually, you can also create a Windows Update reset script that will restart the services automatically for you.

6. Install the updates manually

1. Go to Microsoft’s Update Catalog website.
2. In the search bar, enter the update code. The code should start with KB followed by an array of numbers.
3. Once you find the update, click the Download button to download it. It’s important to download the update that matches your system’s architecture, so double check everything before you download the update.

If you can’t download updates due to error 0x80070017, you might be able to circumvent the error simply by downloading and installing the update manually.

After the update is downloaded, simply double-click the setup file and follow the instructions on the screen to install the update.

It’s worth mentioning that this solution won’t fix the core problem, but it will allow you to circumvent the error message.

7. Install Windows from a USB flash drive

According to users, error 0x80070017 can appear while trying to install Windows 10. This problem usually occurs due to issues with your installation media or DVD drive.

If you’re having this problem, try replacing your DVD drive or installation media and check if that helps.

Alternatively, you can try to install Windows 10 from USB flash drive and check if that solves the issue.

8. Run a chkdsk scan

1. Open Command Prompt as administrator.
2. Enter the chkdsk /f X: command. Before you run the command, be sure to replace X with the letter that matches your system drive. In almost all cases that would be C.
   
3. Now you’ll be asked if you want to schedule a chkdsk scan once the PC restarts.
4. Press Y and restart your system.

According to users, sometimes error 0x80070017 can appear if there’s an issue with file corruption.

However, several users reported that they fixed the problem simply by performing a chkdsk scan. To do that, you just need to follow the above steps. Once the scan is finished, check if the problem still appears.

9. Perform a Clean boot

1. Press the Windows Key + R, enter msconfig, and hit Enter.
   
2. Go to the Services tab, check Hide all Microsoft services, and click the Disable all button.
   
3. Now go to the Startup tab, and click Open Task Manager.
   
4. Disable all startup apps. To do that, right-click the desired application and choose Disable from the menu.
   
5. Once you disable all startup applications, go back to System Configuration window, and click Apply and OK.
   
6. Restart your PC.

If you’re still having this problem, you might be able to solve it by performing a Clean boot. After your PC restarts, try to download the update again.

10. Perform an in-place upgrade

1. Download and run Media Creation Tool.
2. Select Upgrade this PC now, and click Next.
3. Wait while the setup prepares the necessary files.
4. Select Download and install updates (recommended), and click Next.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions until you get to the Ready to install screen.
6. Select Change what to keep.
7. Choose Keep personal files and apps, and then click Next.
8. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the reset.

If the error 0x80070017 is still there, you might be able to solve the problem simply by performing an in-place upgrade.

This process will install the latest version of Windows on your PC while keeping all your applications and file intact.

Once everything is done, you’ll have the latest version of Windows installed and all your files and programs will still be there.

Error 0x80070017 can be problematic and prevent you from getting the latest updates, but we hope you managed to fix it using one of our solutions.

For more suggestions, please access the comments section below.