I am currently facing updating my windows. An install error is occuring-0x80071a91

Question

I am currently facing updating my windows. An install error is occuring-0x80071a91

sambit 20

Screenshot 2026-09-18 172339

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This comment has been deleted due to a violation of our Code of Conduct. The comment was manually reported or identified through automated detection before action was taken. Please refer to our Code of Conduct for more information.

Answer accepted by question author

David-M 126.8K Independent Advisor

Hi. I'm David, and I'm happy to help you.

To be able to assist you better, please clarify the following:

Do you have a third-party antivirus installed? If yes, which one?
Do you have any VPN software installed? (Even if it's not running at the moment) If yes, which one?

Also. What is the current "OS Build" of your Windows 11?

Press "Windows + R", type winver, and click OK.

If you prefer, share a screenshot. Use the shortcut "Windows + Shift + S" to use the screenshot tool.

Be sure to censor your email address if it appears. The Microsoft Q&A is public.

Looking forward to your reply.

sambit 20 Reputation points

2026-09-18T13:33:47.99+00:00

I am currently using McAfee antivirus and no I don't have any VPN software installed. The current Os is 26200.8655. Also the update it downloading but during install when it hits 100% it is showing error.
David-M 126.8K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-09-18T14:17:58.85+00:00

Thanks for the clarification.

The behavior you mentioned is typical of interference from third-party antivirus software.

I suggest temporarily uninstalling McAfee using the McAfee Consumer Product Removal tool provided by the developer. Don't worry. You won't be left unprotected. When Windows Security detects that there is no third-party security software installed, it takes over.

Access the article below for instructions and to download the tool.

https://www.mcafee.com/support/s/article/000002766?language=en_US

After uninstalling McAfee, try updating Windows.

If you wish, you can reinstall McAfee later. Download the latest version from the official website.

Feel free to ask any questions you may have.

Standard Disclaimer: There is a link to a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.
sambit 20 Reputation points

2026-09-18T15:46:04.4633333+00:00

Can you please tell me why this error is happening. I have never had this issue before ( I am using MacAfee since 2021 ).
David-M 126.8K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-09-18T16:20:55.3466667+00:00

I can interpret the problem based on the error you mentioned. The error code 0x80071a91 translates to ERROR_RM_NOT_ACTIVE. It means the component responsible for staging and writing update files to your drive was blocked or prevented from committing changes.

Even if it's worked fine for years, an antivirus runs deep in the system. During an update, it can easily mistake Windows' temporary files for a threat and lock them, which halts the process right as it hits 100%. Also, antivirus definition databases update automatically in the background multiple times a week. A recent rule change in McAfee might conflict with a specific Windows build update, even if it worked fine on previous ones.

While you check on McAfee, I can also look for any deeper system file issues if you'd like to share your CBS.log file:

This file is stored in the following folder.

C:\Windows\Logs\CBS

Copy the file to your desktop or another easily accessible folder and store it in a ZIP file. Then, upload the ZIP file to the cloud (OneDrive) and generate a shareable link.

Post the link to the ZIP file here so I can have a look.

Feel free to ask any questions you may have.
sambit 20 Reputation points

2026-09-18T16:31:43.9366667+00:00
Before posting my querry, I did some microsoft recommendation:
fsutil resource setautoreset true C:\ + restart

DISM /RestoreHealth — but it itself failed with 6801

Windows Update component reset

clean boot
SFC → clean

CHKDSK → clean

clean boot → failed to resolve it

Windows Update troubleshooter → no problem found

fsutil setautoreset → done
Can you provide me any information regarding to this?
David-M 126.8K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-09-18T16:49:37.22+00:00
With this new information, I believe your best option is to perform an In-place Upgrade. This procedure reinstalls Windows, which helps to fix problems.

It's a simple procedure, and you have the option to keep files, settings, and apps. Therefore, all your data is kept.

(Temporarily disable McAfee during the entire procedure. Don't need to uninstall it.)

Download the ISO file to perform the procedure:

Access the link below;

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows11

Under Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) for x64 devices, click Select download and select Windows 11 (multi-edition ISO for x64 devices);

Click Confirm;

Choose the language and click on Confirm;

Then, click 64-bit Download.

Wait for the download to finish and proceed to the procedure below.

After downloading the ISO, do the following:

Double-click the ISO to run;

(After running the ISO, you may need to double-click the Setup file to start the procedure.)

On the Install Windows 11 screen, uncheck I want to help make the installation of Windows better and select Change how Windows Setup downloads updates;

On the next screen, select Not right now and click Next;

Accept the terms of use;

On the Ready to install screen, select Choose what to keep and select what you want to keep.

(It is in this step that you must check Keep personal files and apps so that all your data is kept.)

Click on Install and wait for the procedure to finish. Your computer may restart several times.

The update may be installed during the In-place Upgrade. Therefore, it may no longer appear in Windows Update. Still, check Windows Update for any pending updates and install them.

If you get any errors or the problem persists, please let me know.

Feel free to ask any questions you may have.
sambit 20 Reputation points

2026-09-19T11:27:52.6333333+00:00

It was an antivirus issue. I uninstalled the antivirus, and the update was succesfully installed. Still, thank you for resolving my querry.

3 additional answers

Your answer

Deleted

This comment has been deleted due to a violation of our Code of Conduct. The comment was manually reported or identified through automated detection before action was taken. Please refer to our Code of Conduct for more information.
sambit 20 Reputation points

2026-09-18T13:33:47.99+00:00

I am currently using McAfee antivirus and no I don't have any VPN software installed. The current Os is 26200.8655. Also the update it downloading but during install when it hits 100% it is showing error.
David-M 126.8K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-09-18T14:17:58.85+00:00

Thanks for the clarification.

The behavior you mentioned is typical of interference from third-party antivirus software.

I suggest temporarily uninstalling McAfee using the McAfee Consumer Product Removal tool provided by the developer. Don't worry. You won't be left unprotected. When Windows Security detects that there is no third-party security software installed, it takes over.

Access the article below for instructions and to download the tool.

https://www.mcafee.com/support/s/article/000002766?language=en_US

After uninstalling McAfee, try updating Windows.

If you wish, you can reinstall McAfee later. Download the latest version from the official website.

Feel free to ask any questions you may have.

Standard Disclaimer: There is a link to a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.
sambit 20 Reputation points

2026-09-18T15:46:04.4633333+00:00

Can you please tell me why this error is happening. I have never had this issue before ( I am using MacAfee since 2021 ).
David-M 126.8K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-09-18T16:20:55.3466667+00:00

I can interpret the problem based on the error you mentioned. The error code 0x80071a91 translates to ERROR_RM_NOT_ACTIVE. It means the component responsible for staging and writing update files to your drive was blocked or prevented from committing changes.

Even if it's worked fine for years, an antivirus runs deep in the system. During an update, it can easily mistake Windows' temporary files for a threat and lock them, which halts the process right as it hits 100%. Also, antivirus definition databases update automatically in the background multiple times a week. A recent rule change in McAfee might conflict with a specific Windows build update, even if it worked fine on previous ones.

While you check on McAfee, I can also look for any deeper system file issues if you'd like to share your CBS.log file:

This file is stored in the following folder.

C:\Windows\Logs\CBS

Copy the file to your desktop or another easily accessible folder and store it in a ZIP file. Then, upload the ZIP file to the cloud (OneDrive) and generate a shareable link.

Post the link to the ZIP file here so I can have a look.

Feel free to ask any questions you may have.
sambit 20 Reputation points

2026-09-18T16:31:43.9366667+00:00

Before posting my querry, I did some microsoft recommendation:
fsutil resource setautoreset true C:\ + restart

DISM /RestoreHealth — but it itself failed with 6801

Windows Update component reset

clean boot
SFC → clean

CHKDSK → clean

clean boot → failed to resolve it

Windows Update troubleshooter → no problem found

fsutil setautoreset → done
Can you provide me any information regarding to this?
David-M 126.8K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-09-18T16:49:37.22+00:00

With this new information, I believe your best option is to perform an In-place Upgrade. This procedure reinstalls Windows, which helps to fix problems.

It's a simple procedure, and you have the option to keep files, settings, and apps. Therefore, all your data is kept.

(Temporarily disable McAfee during the entire procedure. Don't need to uninstall it.)

Download the ISO file to perform the procedure:

Access the link below;

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows11

Under Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) for x64 devices, click Select download and select Windows 11 (multi-edition ISO for x64 devices);

Click Confirm;

Choose the language and click on Confirm;

Then, click 64-bit Download.

Wait for the download to finish and proceed to the procedure below.

After downloading the ISO, do the following:

Double-click the ISO to run;

(After running the ISO, you may need to double-click the Setup file to start the procedure.)

On the Install Windows 11 screen, uncheck I want to help make the installation of Windows better and select Change how Windows Setup downloads updates;

On the next screen, select Not right now and click Next;

Accept the terms of use;

On the Ready to install screen, select Choose what to keep and select what you want to keep.

(It is in this step that you must check Keep personal files and apps so that all your data is kept.)

Click on Install and wait for the procedure to finish. Your computer may restart several times.

The update may be installed during the In-place Upgrade. Therefore, it may no longer appear in Windows Update. Still, check Windows Update for any pending updates and install them.

If you get any errors or the problem persists, please let me know.

Feel free to ask any questions you may have.
sambit 20 Reputation points

2026-09-19T11:27:52.6333333+00:00

It was an antivirus issue. I uninstalled the antivirus, and the update was succesfully installed. Still, thank you for resolving my querry.

Answer 1

David-M 126.8K Independent Advisor

Glad to help.

Feel free to reinstall McAfee. However, download the latest version from the official website to ensure you have the most up-to-date program. Antivirus software often interferes with system updates if the program itself failed to update correctly or was running an older version.

If McAfee interferes again during a future Windows update, you can temporarily uninstall it to let the update complete. I also suggest contacting their support team to report this issue so they can investigate why the software is causing these conflicts.

Best regards

0 comments

Answer 2

ApexNáV 370

Try these:

Pause/disable McAfee real‑time protection.
Run Windows Update.
Re‑enable protection immediately after.

0 comments

Answer 3

Error 0x80071A91 usually means Windows Update cannot complete file operations because the transaction resource manager is not active. Common causes include corrupted NTFS transaction logs, a damaged component store, disk errors, antivirus or file system filter interference, or an incomplete previous update.

Follow these steps in order.

Back up important data first. Some repair steps modify update components and disk state.
Reset the NTFS transaction logs Open Command Prompt as administrator and run:
```
   fsutil resource setautoreset true C:\
```
Restart the PC after the command completes.
Repair the Windows component store Open Command Prompt as administrator and run:
```
   DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
```
Restart the PC, then try Windows Update again.
Check system file integrity In an elevated Command Prompt, run:
```
   sfc /scannow
```
If it finds and repairs issues, restart the PC and try the update again.

Reset Windows Update components In an elevated Command Prompt, run these commands one at a time:

   net stop wuauserv
   net stop bits
   net stop cryptSvc
   
   ren %windir%\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
   ren %windir%\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old
   
   net start cryptSvc
   net start bits
   net start wuauserv

Restart the PC and retry the update.

Check the disk for errors In an elevated Command Prompt, run:
```
   chkdsk C: /f
```
If prompted, allow the scan at restart. This can take time.
Temporarily remove or disable third-party antivirus/security software Third-party security software can block update operations. If such software is installed, temporarily uninstall or disable it, then try the update again.
Run the Windows Update troubleshooter Go to: Start > Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters > Windows Update > Run

If the update still fails after these steps, review WindowsUpdate.log or CBS.log, and in Event Viewer check: Applications and Services Logs > Microsoft > Windows > KtmRm for events around the failure time.