How to Fix Error 0x80246007 on Windows 11

Encountering error code 0x80246007 during a Windows 11 update can be frustrating, especially when critical security patches and feature upgrades are at stake. This error doesn’t just disrupt system updates; it can also hinder downloads and updates from the Microsoft Store. The root causes often involve corrupted update components, interrupted services, or problematic user profiles. Resolving these issues is crucial to restoring normal update functionality and ensuring your device remains secure and up to date.

Step-by-Step Guide to Fix Error 0x80246007

Repair Windows Update Error Through Clean Reinstallation of Windows

1- Download the Windows 11 ISO: Start by downloading the latest Windows 11 ISO directly from the official Microsoft website. This guarantees that you have the most current installation files for a fresh reinstallation.

2- Backup Your Important Files: Prior to proceeding, back up your vital files. Even though the reinstallation process offers an option to keep personal files, creating an external backup is always a safe measure against accidental data loss.

3- Mount the ISO File: Double-click the downloaded ISO file to mount it as a virtual drive. Navigate to the drive and run setup.exe to initiate the Windows 11 installation wizard.

4- Select Keep Personal Files Only: When prompted, choose the option to keep only personal files. This choice preserves your documents and data while removing installed apps and resetting system settings, effectively addressing deep-seated update errors that may arise from corrupt applications or system files.

5- Complete the Installation: Follow the on-screen instructions to finalize the reinstallation. After your system restarts, check for updates in Settings > Windows Update to confirm that error 0x80246007 is resolved.

Reset Windows Update Components and Services

1- Create a Batch File: Open Notepad and copy the following batch script to reset update-related services, rename essential folders, and repair system files: 1SC config trustedinstaller start=auto 2net stop bits 3net stop wuauserv 4net stop msiserver 5net stop cryptsvc 6net stop appidsvc 7Ren %Systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old 8Ren %Systemroot%\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old 9regsvr32.exe /s atl.dll 10regsvr32.exe /s urlmon.dll 11regsvr32.exe /s mshtml.dll 12netsh winsock reset 13netsh winsock reset proxy 14rundll32.exe pnpclean.dll,RunDLL_PnpClean /DRIVERS /MAXCLEAN 15dism /Online /Cleanup-image /ScanHealth 16dism /Online /Cleanup-image /CheckHealth 17dism /Online /Cleanup-image /RestoreHealth 18dism /Online /Cleanup-image /StartComponentCleanup 19sfc /ScanNow 20net start bits 21net start wuauserv 22net start msiserver 23net start cryptsvc 24net start appidsvc

2- Save and Execute the Batch File: Save the file as Wufix.bat on your desktop. Right-click on the file and select Run as administrator. Confirm any prompts to execute the script, which will stop and restart update services, clear cached update data, and repair system files.

3- Restart Your Computer: Once the script completes executing, restart your PC and run Windows Update to verify if the error persists.

Start and Configure Essential Windows Services

1- Open Services Management Console: Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and hit Enter to open the Services management console.

2- Configure App Readiness: Locate App Readiness in the list, double-click it, set the Startup type to Automatic, and click Start if the button is available.

3- Verify Windows Update and BITS: Repeat the procedure for the Windows Update and Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS), ensuring they are set to Automatic. Restart these services to ensure they are functioning properly.

4- Attempt the Update Again: After you’ve checked the services, close the Services window and retry the update process.

Clear Update-Related Folders

1- Delete Temporary Update Files: Open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution. Delete all contents within this folder to eliminate any potentially corrupt temporary update files.

2- Rename Catroot2 Folder: Go to C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 and rename the folder to catroot2.old. The system will automatically create a new folder to rectify signature or catalog errors during updates.

**Backup and Delete WinREAgent**: Check if `C:\WinREAgent` exists, back it up to the desktop, and then delete the original folder to avoid update interference.

3- Restart and Update: After completing these steps, restart your computer and check for updates again.

Use the Windows Update Troubleshooter

1- Access Troubleshooting Settings: Open Settings using Windows + I, navigate to System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.

2- Run Windows Update Troubleshooter: Find Windows Update in the list and click Run. The troubleshooter will scan for common update issues and apply automatic fixes.

3- Restart and Update Again: Once the troubleshooter finishes, restart your PC and attempt the update process again.

Repair Invalid User Profile SIDs in the Registry

1. Backup Your Registry: Use a tool like Acelogix RegBak to back up your registry to avoid data loss, as registry changes can affect system stability.
2. Download and Apply Registry Fix: Get a trusted registry fix file to address invalid profile SIDs. Run the .reg file and confirm the needed changes.
3. Restart and Update: After applying the fix, restart your computer and try updating again, as invalid user profile SIDs can cause various update issues.

Utilize Windows 11 Installation Assistant or Media Creation Tool

1. Download Installation Assistant: Acquire the Windows 11 Installation Assistant from the official Microsoft site and follow the prompts to update your system without a clean reinstall.
2. Alternative Method with Media Creation Tool: Alternatively, use the Media Creation Tool to create a bootable USB or download the ISO. Run setup.exe from the ISO and follow the installation prompts to upgrade your Windows version.

Conclusion

Resolving error 0x80246007 on Windows 11 may seem daunting, but following the steps outlined in this guide will help restore the update functionality of your system. Ensuring that you regularly check for updates and maintain your computer can prevent similar issues from arising in the future. Keeping your system updated is crucial for security and performance, so don’t hesitate to take action when problems occur.