Can't install KB5014668

I've been running Windows 11 since Nov 2021. This is the first update failure I've encountered. I was trying to install KB5014668. It stopped at 25% install and showed error 0x80000ffff. I ran troubleshooter (multiple times) to no avail. Upon a restart, it showed installing an update, in the middle it rebooted and then on the subsequent restart it showed install to 48% then said something went wrong, not to worry as it was restoring. It rebooted again, showing the same message, on the next restart it booted into windows. I've run sfc /scannow and dism restorehealth. Neither showed an error or helped. I use Macrium and also tried mounting an image taken before I tried the update and copied the Software Distribution folder and pasted it over the current folder. No help there either. I am able to download Windows Defender definition updates okay at this point.

I could just restore the whole drive to a point before I tried the install but would like to use that as a last resort. Right now I can perform multiple restarts with it booting straight into Windows. So I'm not sure if I should just wait until the July cumulative is available to see what happens or is there something I can or should try at this point, like try to download and install it straight from the update catalog?

Thanks for any help with this.

Update... I did try to use the Windows Catalog to do a manual install. It seemed to download ok but when I hit install it failed immediately with an error code of 0x80070002 (I got this from the reliability monitor)

SUCCESS!!!!!

I've been dealing with this issue for 1-3 months. Tried everything I found on the internet. Today I downloaded and reinstalled 3 .net framework applications and restarted my computer, thinking it would be just another of hundreds of attempts so far. Nope. Smooth as butter. All updates are now caught up.
These are them...
even if they're on your computer, run these installers. Repairing them doesn't work the same. DO NOT UNCHECK ANY .NET FRAMEWORKS in Programs and Features!!

.NET Framework 4.8 Runtime. The link is here...

https://dotnet.microsoft.com/en-us/download/dotnet-framework/net48

.NET 6.0 SDK (v6.0.302). The link is here...

https://dotnet.microsoft.com/en-us/download/dotnet/thank-you/sdk-6.0.302-windows-x64-installer

.NET 6.0 Runtime. The link is here... https://dotnet.microsoft.com/en-us/download/dotnet/6.0/runtime

Hey Zycklefrye,

My problem, as yours, covers a very long frustrating period of time. Your solution worked! The .Net Framework would not install as it was already on my computer. The .Net 6.0 SDK installed with out a hitch. The .Net 6.0 Runtime required 3 additional downloads and presto!...I restarted and ran the Windows update. While the Windows update was very lengthy, in the end, Microsoft's update problems were solved. Many thanks to you for your valuable help.

I have just carried out a re-install of Windows 11, from ISO and bootable USB with the option to keep files and Apps. This has resolved the issues with the updates, all looks to be working fine all updates installed without a problem. Thanks for all the advise

Fingers crossed. Wishing you success.

When my .NET install/s would not run, I took the earlier advice of Razzles >

Razzles67 - Replied on July 22, 2022

Here is the fix for folks struggling through all the cookie cutter fixes other people provide that may not work. No, it has nothing to do with Malwarebytes.

1. Disable all versions of the .Net framework via “turn on/off windows features” in the control panel. You may need to enable all versions reboot and then disable all versions and reboot again.

If you receive a “catastrophic error” try adding a new user account as an administrator, login under that account and try to disable .Net again and reboot.

2. Try to install the Cumulative update again using the new account via Windows Update (either 2022-06 or the two new 2022-07 versions)

This will take a long time, like 30 mins plus. It’s not stuck. Mine said installing 35% for a long time, but I could see under task manager the Windows module installer was chugging a long.

3. Log back in as your original user and remove the temporary account.

Done.

Yes, thanks George - I've been keeping up with this thread, and your previous success with this method is what has finally prompted me to attempt it.