I have Windows Vista installed on a virtual PC and recently I’ve not been able to install any Windows updates because I keep getting an error saying that the update failed. Taking a look at the error, it says the following:
Failed error code 8E5E03FA
Not very helpful! The event viewer does not show anything either that helps to determine what the problem is. Eventually, I found a post on some forum that helped me solve this. Apparently, one of more of the updates or patches becomes corrupt and therefore stops any update from being installed.
In order to fix this and get your updates installing again, you have to rename a particular folder in your system32 directory. Here’s how:
Step 1: First click on Start, then Programs, then Accessories, and right-click on Command Prompt and choose Run As. Make sure to enter an Administrator account.
Step 2: At the command prompt, type in net stop cryptsvc and wait for the service to stop.
Step 3: Type CD\ and press Enter. Now type CD windows\system32 and hit Enter.
Step 4: Now type ren catroot2 catroot3 and press Enter. Catroot2 is where all the Windows certified drivers for the successful download and installation of Windows Updates are stored.
When these files get corrupted, Windows Update can fail. However, if you delete it, then Windows will re-create the folder using the protected system files, which are not corrupt, and therefore hopefully fix your problem.
So if you have not been able to install any Windows updates on Windows XP or Windows Vista, try the above method of renaming the catroot2 folder. Do not simply delete what’s inside the folder as this will not work.
Also, if you get an Access is Denied error when trying to delete catroot2, you have to make sure you are running the command prompt as an Administrator. You can also try to restart the computer in safe mode and then try to rename the folder.
Problems or questions? Post a comment and I will try to help! You can also quickly update multiple Windows computers with the latest updates using AutoPatcher. Enjoy!
Thank you sooooo much!! I've had so much trouble with my computer and after hours on the phone with both Windows and Dell I still was having problems. It worked and was easy to follow. Thank you very much!
I tried to follow these instructions but for some reason my command prompt is not under my accessories tab. I was able to find it under search but when I typed in the net stop cryptsvc it said that an error 5 occured. I'm getting very frustrated and I was hoping you could help?
You da man! Updated last week and ran into this issue out of no where, thanks to your straight forward instructions its back to updating successfully. Thank you.
Have the same problem on windows 7 64-bit.
Is it the same?
@Eli
Yes, I just used it to flawlessly fix my Windows 7 x64 bit, which encountered this error out of nowhere.
Thanks for the help. Works for me.
Many thanks for this advice. It worked in minutes and I have been able to receive all the new downloads.
Much appreciated. Finding this has saved me time, money and a lot of worry!!
I have Windows 7 64-bit and not computer savy at all. I tried the fix but get access denied. My Prompt Window heading is Administrator: Command Prompt. Any ideas?? Thank you??
works great on windows 7 64bit. Just one thing, dont forget to start the services again, otherwise it wont work.
Thanks for the fix.