WIN 11 update failing, showing error 0x800705b4

I had this same error message after Windows update tried to find updates for about 20 minutes. I was able to fix by the following; may not work for everyone but it does not change anything that can't easily be reversed.

1. launch system services and stop BITS and Windows Update services.
2. In File Explorer navigate to C:\Windows and delete the Software Distribution file (can be restored form the recycle bin later if you need to)
3. In Services restart BITS and Windows Update services.
4. Go into settings and rerun Windows Update. (the Software Distribution folder and files will be recreated with fresh files).
5. You should see Updates installing now.

Sometimes the folders/ files for Windows Update get messed up; this gives them a refresh.

Note: Alternatively in step 2 you can disable the BITS and Windows Update services then reboot your PC if you can't delete the Software Distribution file. You'll have to go back in and set both services back to "Automatic Delayed start" afterwards and manually start them.

Hello,

The issue is solved on my machine following the below steps provided by  Emmanuel Santana

You can try resetting the Windows Update service and clearing any potentially corrupted update files: 

1. Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.  
2. Locate Windows Update in the list, right-click it, and select Stop.  
3. Navigate to the C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution folder.  
4. Delete everything inside this folder.  
5. Return to the Services window, right-click Windows Update again, and this time select Start.  

After completing these steps, restart your computer. Once it reboots, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click Check for updates.

Seeing same issues here. Running Windows 11 24H2 Build 26100.2605

We actually used the images provided by Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager "Windows Feature Updates". Now we have a quite a number of machines with this issue.

-Jason

MS knows there are many problems with the update, but they will not admit it

They are no going to "look into it"

You are going to have to do some work on your own

start a support session on line

I had many failed updates with 24h2 and found that an intel service was timing out during the update and causing an error that caused the update to fail. I uninstalled the Intel software.

This was only one of many problems I have experienced with this update.

This update is the worst in my MS experience going back to windows 3.11

It is crap and the MS techs are not being honest about the multiple problems it has caused.

I have talked to them for hours multiple times about my repeated failures to install this update