Windows 10: Win 10 Cumulative Updates won't install, all have the same error 0x80073701

To be a little more specific, neither of the Win 10 cumulative updates that have released since KB5000802 will install manually (by downloading from the Msft Update Catalog) or automatically (through the normal Windows Update system in settings). However specific Windows Security and .NET Updates seem to install flawlessly and pretty quickly. It's only the cumulative updates (specifically KB5000802 and KB5001567) that won't finish installing. They each get to exactly 20% and then stop, jump to 100% and then I get the 0x80073701 error.

The exact error I'm getting in CBS states:

Failed to pin deployment while resolving Update: Microsoft-Windows-Printing-WFS-FoD-Package~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~10.0.19041.508.fe74a9ce62d6e519bf1c934c5dcf333f from file: (null) [HRESULT = 0x80073701 - ERROR_SXS_ASSEMBLY_MISSING]

No fixes I'm finding for this error code seem to address FoD's specifically, just previous Windows Updates, of which I'm not being given any flags indicating previous updates are at fault. I'm unsure why this one specifically is giving me trouble. I've done a full disk check, ran sfc, restored health using DISM online, ran Windows Update Troubleshooter, restarted multiple times (from a complete powerless state), and everything has come back clean and executed successfully with no errors. However, Windows Update Troubleshooter reported that it "Detected" issues but after restarting the PC and running the troubleshooter again, it's reporting there are no issues found. I'm losing my marbles and just wanna update my damn OS. Any pointers?

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:)

 

Win 10 Cumulative Update KB3081444 error 0x80073701 continues

No changes to this error with troubleshooting, no matter how it is done. I have added new information to the end of the thread, if you will be so kind as to look:

After the engineer regurgitated that unhelpful answer, I posted this response and have heard nothing back:

That does not answer my question.

I've seen that webpage before, and I do not find anything there that would help me.

My question is: what is error 0x80073701 and what do I need to do so that Win 10 can install the cumulative download?

Thank you, Todd.

I feel that they are done with answering my question, and I fully expect to hear no more from them.

I have found no information on 0x80073701 via search. Is there ANYONE out there that can tell me if 0x80073701 indicates damaged or missing files necessary for the installation of KB3081444, and how I can determine which files are the problem? I can certainly
figure out how to repair/replace them myself.

Thank you, Todd.

You had this question

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• All replies (3)

Sayan_Ghosh replied on

• Microsoft
• Support Engineer

Hello,

We apologize for the delayed response. I understand your frustration with regards to the situation. I would like to help you on this issue.

The error code KB3081444 is associated with Windows Update corrupt or not installed properly.

I would suggest you to follow the below suggested methods and check if it helps.

Method 1

A. Check whether the Windows date and Time set to Automatic and synced.

B. Disconnect all the peripheral devices except for the mouse and keyboard.

C. Follow these steps to run the Windows inbuilt troubleshooter:

• Write Troubleshooting in the search box and hit enter.

• Click on Troubleshooting tab.

• Click on view all option on the upper left corner.

• Select the Windows Update option from the list.

• Click Next to run theTroubleshooter.

D. Try to use the Windows Update troubleshooter and see if it helps.

Windows 7 and 8 Windows Update: FAQ

Windows 8.1 Windows Update: FAQ

(Also applies to Windows 10)

Method 2

This issue might also occur due to corruption in Windows Update component files. I suggest you to reset Windows Update component. Kindly follow the below given steps.

• 
  Press Windows key + X, select Command prompt (Admin) to bring up elevated Command prompt.
  
• 
  Stop the BITS service, the Windows Update service, and the Cryptographic service. To do this, at a command prompt, type the following commands. Make sure that you press Enter after you type each command.
  
  • 
    net stop bits
    
  • 
    net stop wuauserv
    
  • 
    net stop appidsvc
    
  • 
    net stop cryptsvc
    
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  Rename the software distribution folders backup copies. To do this, at a command prompt, type the following commands. Make sure that you press Enter after you type each command.
  
  • 
    Ren %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.bak
    
  • 
    Ren %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 catroot2.bak
    
• 
  Restart the BITS service, the Windows Update service, and the Cryptographic service. To do this, at a command prompt, type the following commands. Make sure that you press Enter after you type each command.
  

• 
  net start bits
  
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  net start wuauserv
  
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  net start appidsvc
  
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  net start cryptsvc
  

5. Restart your PC and check if it works this time when you try to update.

If you are still experiencing this issue, or if Windows Update is not installing the fix, try manually installingKB3081440
directly from the Microsoft Update Catalog. Select the appropriate update for your operating system. You can look up your system type (32-bit or 64-bit) by right-clicking the Start icon and selectingSystem.

Kindly keep us posted on the status of the issue. If it still persists, we would be glad to help you further.

Thank You.

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WE

replied on

It was easy for me to find out about "troubleshooting" via Microsoft Help, so I had tried that repeatedly prior to contacting you,...

It informed me each time that the problem had been "fixed".

I have even tried your MS-DOS command prompts and nothing has changed.

BTW,

Ren %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.bak

Ren %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 catroot2.bak

syntax is incorrect, so I doubt if the manual Windows Update Service repair that you provided was even correct.

Since I do not have Internet Explorer 6.0, or higher, I cannot use the Microsoft Update Catalog.

What do you suggest I do now?

I still have not been told what error 0x80073701 is!

My stupid Samsung notebook downloaded/installed the same cumulative update like a champ,...THIS is a Dell laptop with ten times the abilities, why is this being SO difficult?!

I almost feel that I need to re-install Win 10,...

And what's with the stupid seascape scene that comes up when I start the computer? I have to deal with the damn lock screen and necessary password due to dumb changes that you guys made, but is it NOT possible to get this computer to go to the lock
screen on startup, and skip the seascape thing? I would have preferred the computer to go directly to the desktop, but again, I know you've made that impossible.

I eagerly await your response.

Todd.

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WE

replied on

Perhaps you guys need my help!

I find a CbsPersist log that mentions the failures, I believe. I have done some programming, but only in Basic and Fortran 4, so I am unable to decipher it. And it is lengthy, so I'll not include it here, unless I hear from you that you'd like to see it,
but it mentions multiple times:

ERROR_SXS_ASSEMBLY_MISSING

Via internet search, I stumbled upon the fact that this is the meaning of error 0x80073701 in Win 7.

Also I find multiple mentions of:

unable to add pending.xml file to Windows Error Report

and near the end of the log, a couple of lines state that:

SQM is not initialized or not running online

These records result from:

Exec: Install package: Package_226_for_KB3081444~31bf3856ad364e35~x86~~10.0.1.0, Update: 3081444-432_neutral

I hope that at least some of this helps,...let me know if I can provide more information! I'd sure like to resolve this issue ASAP so I can enjoy Win 10,...I do like it's speed!

Thanks, Todd.

 

Cumulative Update for Windows 10 (KB3081444) - Error 0x80073701

That does not answer my question.

I've seen that webpage before, and I do not find anything there that would help me.

My question is: what is error 0x80073701 and what do I need to do so that Win 10 can install the cumulative download?

Thank you, Todd.

 

Error 0x80073701 while updating window

Install failed (error 0x80073701)