Windows 10: Windows 10 Error Code: 80070003 During "Preparing for installation"

I have a fully functioning Windows 8.1 machine, genuine, activated that works without any issues.

The problem is the fact that I cannot install Windows 10 because update fails every time; disregarding occasional failures during download process, the only error I get is at one specific point and that is in "Preparing for Installation" phase when the bar reaches around or exactly 75%. And the error code is: 80070003 (in Tech preview this error was 0x80070003). A lot of people are reporting this on Microsoft's support website and have the exact problem as I with exact results and some of them have tried exact things as I, but none worked.


Here is how it would go (and what I'd see):

I would right click the Update to Windows 10 icon and click on Go To Windows Update, from there I would start Windows 10 update download.

Windows 10 download would successfully download and reach the point Preparing for installation.




During the process I would notice that a new SoftwareDistribution folder has been created (or just that Download folder has been filled - before I tried removing the entire SoftwareDistribution folder and only resorted to cleaning the Download folder).




The Download folder would be filled with Windows Update files and folders.




In the Windows partition, there would be another folder called $Windows.~BT. This folder seems to be created with the update to Windows 10.




The $Windows.~BT folder would be filled with installation files for Windows 10.




At some point during the Preparing for installation phase, it would all stop with an error, one specific error that always happens at one specific point in this phase; error 80070003.




When I would resort to Windows Update Troubleshooter, I would always get the same result, not matter what.





Things I tried to fix this error (but didn't work):

• Running sfc /scannow in Command Prompt with elevated privileges to fix potentially corrupted or missing files
• Running DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth in Command Prompt with elevated privileges to fix potentially corrupted or missing files
• Running the Windows Update Troubleshooter to fix potential Windows Update errors, but it would always display same 3 results
• Removing all files from SoftwareDistribution/Download/ folder for a clean slate for Windows Update
• Renaming the entire SoftwareDistribution folder so that Windows would be forced to create a fresh one
• Installing other Windows 8.1 updates
• Restarting my PC
• Restarting the Windows Update service

So, no matter what, the error 80070003 persists and I've seen no solution for it. Some have fixed it through what I tried above, but those are rare, nevertheless, if you are facing the same error, try what I tried, and see if it works out for you. I and many others were not so lucky, and we're left here, waiting for someone to wave a magic wand and fix this.

I will also say that most of the people reporting this issue have Windows 8.1, some have Windows 7, but those who have Windows 7 the above solutions might just work, and some people have reverted to Windows 7 in order to fix such issues (not sure if this specific one), but I am definitely not in position to do that right now, even if it were definite solution, which it isn't.

I've tried to be as comprehensive as possible, if you need any other information, please, ask below, I'll give as much information as I can, especially given that there are a lot of other people facing the same issue.

Whoever can solve this is a savior of lives. I've spent 2 days already trying to fix this somehow, but failed.


:)

 

Windows 10 update failed error 80070003

Link doesn't show anything about error code 80070003

 

Updating W8.1 to W10

I keep getting error: "WindowsUpdate_80070714 OR WindowsUpdate_dt000" during updating my Windows 8.1 to 10. After the files are downloaded, Windows Updater starts to "preparing for the installation process" and then this error occurs.

 

To this point have you tried any hardware fix. Maybe take out a stick of ram or use your mb onboard graphics. Used to work awhile ago on win 7. Havenot seen it for 10 so just a shot in the dark. Lots of users have just kept trying and had good luck. Keep trying to upgrade windows 8. Good luck to you.

 

Please check with regedit under

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\WIMMount

the value

ImagePath

Im my case, the path pointed to a non-existent drive.

On my PC (Win 8.1, x64), the files is under

\??\C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\8.1\Assessment and Deployment Kit\Deployment Tools\amd64\DISM\wimmount.sys

So, i changed the value, and that fixed my problem with error 0x80070003.
Just search the file on your pc and fix the path, including the \??\

 

That's how it looks like.

But, when I went to search for wimmount.sys, the result is weird:




So, what now?

 

Okay, your settings seems to be okay, the path point to the local file in your system32\drivers directory.
Did you use a partition tool to change your hd partition scheme?

If so, you should read this

http://borncity.com/win/2015/08/08/is-easeus-partition-manager-a-windows10-upgrade-killer/

 

Hey guys. I would like to confirm that method suggested in previous comment really works with this annoying error.

 

I had two laptops screwed up by easus todo partition manager which I am pretty sure caused by 80070003 errors. In my case I found this after I did a complete factory restore and then changed my HDD to an SSD. At this time my partitions were ok (after the restore). I then attempted to use the same software to do a clone in order to use the new SSD. The resulting non-os partitions looked wrong so I contacted their support and they agreed. I then used another clone software that came with my clone cable and the results were good. I sent those results to easus todo support. They acknowledged the issue but offered no solution. I sent the same results to the maker of the clone cable who noted that their software seemed to have fixed the partitions.
My question is, why doesn't Microsoft know this?

 

I have the exact same symptoms as Snaiper.
chfslt, my disk looks like this. I have only one Windows host so nothing to compare to

Also note I'm using mirrored root disks

DISKPART> list disk


Disk ### Status Size Free Dyn Gpt
-------- ------------- ------- ------- --- ---
* Disk 0 Online 1863 GB 128 MB


DISKPART> select disk 0


Disk 0 is now the selected disk.


DISKPART> list partition


Partition ### Type Size Offset
------------- ---------------- ------- -------
Partition 1 Primary 300 MB 1024 KB
Partition 2 Primary 99 MB 301 MB
Partition 3 Primary 1862 GB 528 MB


DISKPART> list volume


Volume ### Ltr Label Fs Type Size Status Info
---------- --- ----------- ----- ---------- ------- --------- --------
Volume 0 D DVD-ROM 0 B No Media
* Volume 1 E Recovery NTFS Partition 300 MB Healthy
Volume 2 FAT32 Partition 99 MB Healthy System
Volume 3 C NTFS Partition 1862 GB Healthy Boot

 

I was having the same problem with the Win 10 update. I followed the link posted by chfslt because I had used Easus Partition Master and the advice given there about resetting the id of any OEM partitions worked for me.

I am now up and running on Windows 10 and very happy with that.
Keith

 

I haven't figured this out just yet but I agree it's disk related.

FYI:
msconfig -> Boot.
There are no entries
Control panel -> Advanced system settings -> Start-up and Recovery settings
All items in System start-up are empty



I also found the source of the 0x80070003 error (not cause just source)
In %WINDIR%\WindowsUpdate.log
2015-08-15 11:57:03:263 424 57a0 Report WARNING: PostReboot: Did not find an event for provided cookie "{184C9A37-7564-40AF-92D4-19EA77664DC5}.200"
2015-08-15 11:57:03:264 23984 4efc Misc =========== Logging initialized (build: 7.9.9600.17959, tz: +1000) ===========
2015-08-15 11:57:03:264 23984 4efc Misc = Process: C:\$Windows.~BT\Sources\SetupHost.Exe
2015-08-15 11:57:03:264 23984 4efc Misc = Module: C:\Windows\System32\wuapi.dll
2015-08-15 11:57:03:263 23984 4efc COMAPI WARNING: ISusInternal::RecordInstallationResult2 failed, hr=8024F005
2015-08-15 11:57:08:291 20996 5c04 Handler : FATAL: Installer completed. Process return code = 0x80070003, result = 0x80070003, callback pending = False
2015-08-15 11:57:08:295 20996 5c04 Handler : WARNING: Exit code = 0x80070003

 

How to fix the Windows Update error 80070003 when upgrading to Windows 10, if you have used EaseUS Partition Master. -> link

 

Found the cause of my 80070003 error: I had no MSR or EFI partition. I changed disks about a year ago and I guess things were broken for this whole time. After this was resolved I was able to upgrade no worries.

 

How did you resolve the no MSR or EFI partition issue, i might be experiencing the same thing...?