Windows 10: Trouble Updating Windows 10 due to Pending.XML

I'm having problems updating a laptop which is stuck on Windows 17??. Update fails with various error codes like 0x80000ffff. It seems the pending.xml file is showing a pending update and the update operation is failed. I tried using the MS RESET WINDOWS UPDATE AGENT TOOL as administrator but it, too, fails to remove the pending.xml file. Is my only option to boot into Linux and delete it?

:)

 

Windows 10 fails to update


When you finish testing the Avast suggestion, make sure that you restart your machine.

Then if the issue persists, please return to the trouble shooting list in post# 89

I think there are three steps that remain; the WU troubleshooter, reset WU components, and manual WU reset.

 

Windows 10 Tweaks

Pressing “Windows+Pause Break” (it’s up there next to scroll lock) opens the “System” Window.

Windows 10: In the new version of Windows, Explorer has a section called Quick Access. This includes your frequent folders and recent files. Explorer defaults to opening this page when you open a new window. If you’d rather open the usual This PC, with links to your drives and library folders, follow these steps:

• Open a new Explorer window.
• Click View in the ribbon.
• Click Options.
• Under General, next to “Open File Explorer to:” choose “This PC.”
• Click OK

credit to Lifehacker.

 

Lack of functionality after Windows 10 factory reset

Hi Paul,

The issue you're experiencing might be due to a variety of reasons, but one is due to missing system files. For us to better assist you, we'd like to ask a few questions.

• Have you installed all pending updates in Windows after resetting your computer?
• What troubleshooting steps have you tried so far?

If you haven't install pending updates in Windows, we suggest that you install and download all pending updates in Windows. Click
here and follow the instructions provided.

Looking forward to your response.