Windows 10 Feature Update 20H2 consistently fails with 0x80242016 error

@rgzz

Thank you for your reply.  I attempted to execute the suggested steps.   Several files within the software distribution folder were in use and didn't delete.  The "log" from the CMD commands is below....    I rebooted and I'm running the Windows Update Troubleshooting "wizard".

Microsoft Windows [Version 10.0.18363.1256]

(c) 2019 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\WINDOWS\system32>net stop bits

The Background Intelligent Transfer Service service is stopping..

The Background Intelligent Transfer Service service was stopped successfully.

C:\WINDOWS\system32>net stop wuauserv

The Windows Update service is stopping.

The Windows Update service was stopped successfully.

C:\WINDOWS\system32>net stop appidsvc

The Application Identity service is not started.

More help is available by typing NET HELPMSG 3521.

C:\WINDOWS\system32>net stop cryptsvc

The Cryptographic Services service is stopping..

The Cryptographic Services service was stopped successfully.

C:\WINDOWS\system32>Del "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\Microsoft\Network\Downloader\.*"*

C:\ProgramData\Application Data\Microsoft\Network\Downloader\.*, Are you sure (Y/N)? y*

C:\WINDOWS\system32>rmdir %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution /S /Q

C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\Download - The directory is not empty.

C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\EVENTC~1.V2{CF09071D-2995-4D6A-8569-338B2F3791F0}.bin - The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process.

C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\ReportingEvents.log - The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process.

C:\WINDOWS\system32>rmdir %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution /S /Q

C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\DATAST~1\DataStore.edb - The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process.

C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\DATAST~1\DataStore.jfm - The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process.

C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\DATAST~1\Logs\edb.log - The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process.

C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\DATAST~1\Logs\edbtmp.log - The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process.

C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\DATAST~1\Logs\tmp.edb - The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process.

C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\EVENTC~1.V2{CF09071D-2995-4D6A-8569-338B2F3791F0}.bin - The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process.

C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\ReportingEvents.log - The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process.

C:\WINDOWS\system32>rmdir %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 /S /Q

C:\WINDOWS\system32\catroot2{127D0~1\catdb - The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process.

C:\WINDOWS\system32\catroot2{127D0~1\catdb.jfm - The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process.

C:\WINDOWS\system32\catroot2{F750E~1\catdb - The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process.

C:\WINDOWS\system32\catroot2{F750E~1\catdb.jfm - The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process.

C:\WINDOWS\system32>regsvr32.exe /s atl.dll

C:\WINDOWS\system32>regsvr32.exe /s urlmon.dll

C:\WINDOWS\system32>regsvr32.exe /s mshtml.dll

C:\WINDOWS\system32>netsh winsock reset

Sucessfully reset the Winsock Catalog.

You must restart the computer in order to complete the reset.

C:\WINDOWS\system32>netsh winsock reset proxy

Sucessfully reset the Winsock Catalog.

You must restart the computer in order to complete the reset.

C:\WINDOWS\system32>net start bits

The Background Intelligent Transfer Service service is starting.

The Background Intelligent Transfer Service service was started successfully.

C:\WINDOWS\system32>net start wuauserv

The requested service has already been started.

More help is available by typing NET HELPMSG 2182.

C:\WINDOWS\system32>net start appidsvc

The Application Identity service is starting.

The Application Identity service was started successfully.

C:\WINDOWS\system32>net start cryptsvc

The requested service has already been started.

More help is available by typing NET HELPMSG 2182.

C:\WINDOWS\system32>

Open Powershell with Admin or CMD with Admin (Press Windows key + X then click Windows Powershell(Admin))

Copy each line of command to Powershell then press enter (one line at a time)

net stop bits

net stop wuauserv

net stop appidsvc

net stop cryptsvc

Del "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\Microsoft\Network\Downloader\*.*"

rmdir %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution /S /Q

rmdir %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 /S /Q

regsvr32.exe /s atl.dll

regsvr32.exe /s urlmon.dll

regsvr32.exe /s mshtml.dll

netsh winsock reset

netsh winsock reset proxy

net start bits

net start wuauserv

net start appidsvc

net start cryptsvc

After trying all of the steps to several MS Support articles to fix the error code it still hasn’t installed - the articles suggest stopping several services and deleting the update files, it continues to have failed to install 25+ times.  Even the OS update in place attempt has not remedied the issue.  It tries every couple days...🤷��‍♂️  I’m out of ideas...

Regarding the instructions above: If you are running PowerShell (which can be detected by the PS letters at the beginning of the command line) the %...% syntax will not work. The easiest way around is to start cmd in that console window by typing cmd[Enter]. Only then you'll be able to run the commands above. There are equivalents for PS, but I don't know them from the top of my head. The same goes for rmdir which is not the same rmdir as in PowerShell, so the /S /Q flags will also work only in cmd. The MS person should've noted that. I hope it helps!

After trying all of the steps to several MS Support articles to fix the error code it still hasn’t installed - the articles suggest stopping several services and deleting the update files, it continues to have failed to install 25+ times.  Even the OS update in place attempt has not remedied the issue.  It tries every couple days...🤷��‍♂️  I’m out of ideas...

I've just been hit by the same problem. It's not the first time that this has happened with Windows updates, although the first time with Windows 10.

I think I'll wait till the next update and hope that it's fixed.

I am having the same problem.  Seems systemic.  What are the options of waiting for a new update/fix from MS.  Seems like they have a bad update and they should fix it before all the customers either trash their computers or spend all their time Restoring their computers.....