How to Solve Failure Configuring Windows Updates Reverting Changes Error in Windows 10

Windows 10 users enjoy Microsoft services such as, Windows Update which automates downloading and installing of application updates. However, you may encounter Windows Update problems with an error on the screen saying ‘Failure configuring Windows updates. Reverting changes. Do not Turn off your computer’.

This error usually appears on earlier versions of Windows, like Windows 8 and ends update process. Fortunately, this is not a problem that has no fix whatsoever. The failure configuring Windows update error, without a doubt, can be fixed. Therefore, allowing Windows updates that were unsuccessful in being downloaded and installed well.

In this article, we will show you how to fix ‘Failure configuring Windows updates, Reverting changes, Do not Turn off your computer’ error. Many Windows 10 users can fix this error with one of the following fixes. You don’t have to try all the fixes, work your way down the methods until you find the one that works for you.

Method #1: Wait it Out

First, wait it out. This is the best fix to try first when you encounter failure configuring Windows update issues. Eventually, Windows will be able to revert the changes that the unsuccessful updates made. Therefore, allowing you to access your PC like you usually would.

In most cases, to undo changes may take half an hour to several hours. You should let your PC sit for not less than ten hours without pressing any button, even the Restart button. Once the reverting process is finished, your machine should boot.

Method #2: Using Advanced System Repair Tool

Advanced System Repair Tool is a program that brings you all the tools you need to clean, fix, optimize, protect, and boost the performance of your computer. It has a multi-scan element which intelligently scans and analyzes your PC within a few minutes and gives you a well-organized detailed output or results.

Begin with a FREE scan from Advanced System Repair, we highly recommend it. The steps below will show you how to download, install, and implement Advanced System Repair in your computer:

Step 1

Downloading and installing Advanced System Repair Pro. Download it now for FREE by clicking the download button below:

Step 2

After completing downloading, accept the license terms by checking the, I Accept the EULA and Privacy Policy. After checking, click Install and Scan Now. The installation process begins.

Step 3

After installation, the program immediately begins gathering crucial data about your machine, such as memory and CPU performance.

It also checks for junk files and continues scanning deeper into the system files.

Step 4

After scanning is completed, you are shown the critical issues to fix, items to clean, and the amount of disk space to free up.

Step 5

Click the Complete Scan Details tab to see the details of the scan. You can choose what action to take by expanding the Recommendation tab then select either to fix, clean, optimize, or ignore.

Step 6

Click Fix, Clean & Optimize Now to initiate the cleaning process. All the issues found on your computer will be fixed. Mission Accomplished!

Method #3: Unplug all Removable Media

Removable media includes memory card, disks, flash drives, and CDs. These removable media may cause failure configuring Windows update error during the computer restart where the updates are installed.

Step 1

Check the USB ports, memory card slots and disk drives for any removable media. For example, DVDs, CDs, flash drives, memory card, etc. If you do not get any media, you can proceed to the next procedure. But if you get any media, continue to the next step.

Step 2

Shut down your machine if it is still on. You may have to do a force shut down by holding down the power button for 30 seconds.

Step 3

Unplug or remove all removable media.

Step 4

Once your removable media is unplugged, start your PC and see if updates install well.

Method #4: Using Windows Update Troubleshooter

Windows Update Troubleshooter is the most effective way to fix failure configuring Windows update error. It is a built-in application that scans your PC for issues connected to Windows update and fixes it.

Follow the steps below to use Windows Update Troubleshooter:

Step 1

Go to the taskbar, click the Windows icon, and select settings.

An alternative way, go to the taskbar, click the search icon or search bar, type settings, and select the first match.

Step 2

When Windows Settings tab appears, select Update & Security.

Step 3

Choose Troubleshoot from the left pane then select Windows Update under Get up and running.

Step 4

Click Run the troubleshooter.

Step 5

Wait for the scanning to finish, then click Finish to complete.

Step 6

Restart your computer and try updating your PC again. If updates install correctly, then this method has fixed your failure configuring Windows error. Otherwise, continue to the next method.

Method #5: Install the Updates in Safe Mode

Sometimes, this failure configuring Windows update error occurs due to problems in Windows services or functionality. You should put your computer in safe mode. So, only the necessary services and functionality are running in the background.

Step 1

Go to the taskbar, click the search icon or search bar, type system configuration then enter the first match.

Step 2

In the System Configuration window, click Boot tab then check the checkbox next to Safe boot. Also, check Minimal. Click Apply then OK.

Step 3

Click Restart when the Windows prompts you.

Step 4

After restarting in safe mode, try updating your Windows again. If you are still encountering failure configuring Windows updates error, continue to the next procedure.

Step 5

If you successful install Windows updates, restart your PC to enforce changes. There is no doubt that your computer will restart in safe mode.

Step 6

Press Windows Key + R. Type “msconfig” into the Run box and click OK to open System Configuration.

Step 7

Go back to the Boot tab and uncheck the checkbox next to Safe boot. Click Apply then OK.

If you still face the ‘Failure configuring Windows updates Reverting changes’ error, proceed to the next method.

Method #6: Perform a Clean Boot

A clean boot is done to launch Windows by using only the basic set of drivers and startup applications. By performing a clean boot, you will have to disable all third-party programs and services to determine if any of these programs is interfering with your update download, thus causing failure configuring windows updates error. To do a clean boot, do the following:

Step 1

Press Windows Key + R. Type “msconfig” into the Run box and click OK to open System Configuration.

Step 2

In the System Configuration window, select selective startup and unmark the checkbox next to Load startup items.

Step 3

Click the Services tab and mark the checkbox next to Hide all Microsoft services. This will hide all Microsoft applications and services because we only need to disable third-party programs.

Step 4

Press Disable all.

Step 5

Click the Startup tab and enter Open Task Manager.

Step 6

In the Task Manager window, you will view a list of startup programs. Right-click each enabled program and disable it. Also, you can select each enabled application and click the Disable button.

Step 7

After finishing disabling startup applications, close the Task Manager and return to the System Configuration. Click Apply and OK.

Step 8

Finally, you need to restart your machine for the changes to take effect. Go to the taskbar, click the Windows icon, press the power icon, and select Restart. This should fix your failure configuring Windows updates error. If it doesn’t fix your issue, continue to the next method.

Method #7: Delete Your Windows Update Cache

If your computer doesn’t have enough memory to store temp files, it can degrade performance or even cause failure configuring Windows updates error. Therefore, you should frequently clear your machine temp files.

Step 1

Press Windows Key + R on your keyboard to open Run.

Step 2

Type services.msc then click OK or hit Enter.

Step 3

In the Services window, scroll down the list of services to Windows Update. Double-click on it.

Step 4

In the Windows Update Properties window, click Stop to stop this service then click OK.

Step 5

Go back to the Service window, scroll down the services to Background Intelligent Transfer Service. Double-click on it to open its properties. Click Stop to stop this service then click OK.

Step 6

Minimize the service window and open your Windows File Explorer. Go to the taskbar and click the folder icon to launch your File Explorer.

Step 7

Navigate to the following directory:

C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download

Step 8

Select all the files and folders then right-click and choose Delete.

Step 9

Return to the Services Window, locate Windows Update and double-click on it again. Click Start to restart the service then click OK.

Step 10

Return to the Service window, locate Background Intelligent Transfer Service and double-click on it again. Click Start to restart this service then click OK.

After completing all the steps, restart your machine and run Windows Update again to see if the failure configuring Windows updates has been fixed. If not continue to the next procedure.

Method #8: Break the Updates Up Into Small Groups and Then Install them

In some cases, there are so many updates being downloaded. Hence, it takes too much time to download all the updates at once. This might cause failure configuring Windows updates error in Windows 10. To resolve this issue, you need to install the updates manually in smaller batches.

To do so, follow the below steps:

Step 1

Go to the taskbar, click the search icon or search bar, type settings, then enter the first option.

Step 2

In the Windows Settings window, select Update & Security.

Step 3

Select Windows Update from the left pane then click check for updates.

Step 4

Wait for your PC to complete checking for updates, you will see a list of available updates. Only select a few, for example, 5 to 7 upgrades and click Install.

Step 5

After finishing updating the selected ones, restart your computer.

Step 6

Repeat step 4, where you download and install another batch of 5 to 7 updates. Restart your computer again.

Step 7

Repeat method 5 and 6 to ensure all the available updates have been downloaded and installed. Make sure to restart your PC to enforce the changes. This should fix your failure configuring Windows updates error. If it doesn’t fix your problem, proceed to the next method.

Method #9: Run the System File Checker

Corrupt or broken files can cause failure configuring Windows updates error. Luckily, Windows 10 has a built-in tool known as System File Checker that restores any faulty files in your system.

Step 1

In the search box, type cmd then right-click on the first match and select Run as administrator.

When you open command prompt as admin, you will see a User Account Control window is seeking permission to proceed. Click Yes.

Step 2

In the command prompt window, enter the following:

sfc/scannow

Press Enter.

Step 3

Your computer will be scanned for corrupted files and try to resolve them. After the scan is complete, you will see the results on the window.

Hopefully, scanning for corrupted files and fixing them resolves your failure configuring Windows updates error. If not continue to the next method.

Method #10: Do a System Restore

System restore feature restores your computer to a previous state. If there was internet access in the last state, then system restore can fix network protocol missing issue. Here is how to restore your computer in Windows 10.

Step 1

Go to the taskbar, click the Windows icon, and select settings.

Step 2

When the Windows Settings tab appears, select Update & Security.

Step 3

Select Recovery from the left pane. On the right, you will see Advanced startup. Click Restart now.

Step 4

After your computer restarts, you will Choose an option window. Select Troubleshoot.

Step 5

Select Advanced options.

Step 6

Select System Restore.

Step 7

Your PC will allow you to select the restore point that you desire to use on your computer. This method should fix your failure configuring Windows updates error.

Method #11: Perform Windows installation

When all solutions fail, you can try installing Windows 10. First, ensure you have backed up all your data.

Step 1

Boot your PC using installation CD, flash drive or DVD, with the Windows 10 installation. As soon as you boot, you will see an installation wizard. Click Install now to start the installation. Continue following the instructions.

Step 2

Click I accept the license terms then click Next.

Step 3

After installation is done, your computer needs to restart to run the configuration scripts.

Conclusion

We have explained several methods to solve the issue of Windows reverting changes due to failure configuring Windows updates. It is an annoying problem since it stops you from updating your Windows version. Luckily, everything you need to know on how to fix ‘Failure configuring Windows updates. Reverting changes. Do not Turn off your computer’ error is present in this article. Therefore, you won’t even require professional help. Let us know if these fixes were helpful in the comment section below.