You may get windows 10 update error 0x80070020 when you try to download and install update from windows update center or Microsoft Update Website. This error comes with a text message The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process.
If you are getting the same error it means there are some trouble in your Windows OS and you need to perform some actions to fix it. However, it is not difficult to resolve this problem if you have intermediate OS Knowledge.
How to Fix 0x80070020
Method 1: Fix using Advanced System Repair
The most of the common reason behind windows update failed is corrupted or damaged system files like DLL files, EXE files, sys files etc. There are thousands of tiny system files are there that work specific task. If one of the files gets replaced, deleted or damaged then you may get windows update error 0x80070020.
dll files, exe files, sys files, various types of services, databases, etc so, it is not possible to keep monitoring all the files always. A brilliant PC Optimizer tool repairs damages, fix errors, update windows and drivers, and eliminate various types of errors silently. Outbyte PC Repair Tool does all the above task easily and provides you an errorfree and smooth Windows environment to work so that you can focus on your business only.
Step 2. SCAN your Windows PC
Step 3. Click Fix button to Repair Error
Download and Install Advanced System Repair Tool and scan your PC. It has the large database with 25 million of files. It will find all the damaged or deleted system files and reinstall them with the fresh one. After, optimizing with Advanced System Repair Tool, try to install windows update again.
Method 2: Perform Clean Boot
Mostly this error occurs when the update process is being used by another process like live antivirus scanning in the background or server is running. Restarting PC in clean boot means stopping unnecessary process and start PC with only necessary applications. Here is the step by step process of starting PC In clean boot mode.
Open Window in Clean Boot Mode
Method 3: Run Windows Update Troubleshooter
Windows Update Troubleshooter is an awesome tool that fixes updates problems automatically. You can find Update Troubleshooter in Start menu or download tiny file from Microsoft website. Here, is the step by step guideline to use Windows Update Troubleshooter.
Method 4: Temporary Disable Antivirus and Firewall
It might be very helpful in fixing to 0x80070020 if you disable Antivirus and Firewall temporarily. Antivirus and Firewall uses the same services that is used in updating windows. When you disable this application, the chances of getting error significantly decreases.
Method 5: Restore PC at earlier point
If you have created Restore Point earlier, then you have great weapon against 0x80070020 error. Just restore your PC at earlier point and restart. Most probably you won’t get update error.
Method 6: Reset Windows Update Components
Resetting Windows Update Component fixes corrupted or damaged Windows Update Component. Most of the system files that are responsible for updating windows properly gets damaged or corrupted due to installing various software and drivers. Here is the step to resetting windows update components.
a. Open Command Prompt and stop BITS, Cryptographic, MSI Installer and the windows update service.
b. Open Command Prompt (Run as administrator) from start menu and execute following commands.
net stop wuauserv
net stop cryptSvc
net stop bits
net stop msiserver
c. Rename Software Distribution Folder. Run following command one by one.
ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 Catroot2.old
d. Start BITS, Cryptographic, MSI Installer and Windows Update services again. Execute following command in command prompts
net start wuauserv
net start cryptSvc
net start bits
net start msiserver
e. Close Command Prompt and try to Windows Update.
Method 7: Fix Registry Issue
Registry File is very important and it keeps trace of all the installed services, software, hardware and drivers. By installing and uninstalling application or installing incompatible software or device driver make this file unstable. When Registry file gets unstable, then you get various types of error messages. It is not recommended touching this file manually because it is a core settings of windows and if this file gets damaged your OS will crash. It is better to use Advanced System Repair Kit to fix Registry Related Problems. It also fixes various types of Windows Update problems including 0x80070020 error.