Can't install upgrades, Windows 11, Version 25H2(repair version), Error : We couldn't udate the system partition.

Question

Can't install upgrades, Windows 11, Version 25H2(repair version), Error : We couldn't udate the system partition.

Ramchandhar Rapolu 0

I am trying to update my software updates and it keep failing to install Windows 11 version 25H2 (repair version) and it throws an error attached.

and its blocking my windows updates.

This is a geekom mini PC. its configurations is

Device name Web3

Processor 13th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-13700H (2.40 GHz)

Installed RAM 32.0 GB (31.8 GB usable)

Graphics card Intel(R) Iris(R) Xe Graphics (128 MB)

Storage 608 GB of 954 GB used

Device ID AFB35F52-A21F-4FD9-8E27-6BA515902911

Product ID 00330-53733-12014-AAOEM

System type 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor

Pen and touch Pen support

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2 answers

Your answer

Answer 1

This error matches a known Windows 11 25H2 issue where the update fails because the EFI System Partition (ESP) has too little free space. On affected devices, installation can fail during restart and roll back with messages such as “Something didn’t go as planned. Undoing changes.” Microsoft states this especially affects devices with 10 MB or less free on the ESP.

Recommended path:

Install the latest Windows update available
- Microsoft resolved this issue in updates released May 26, 2026 (KB5089573) and later.
- If that newer update is offered, install it first.
Check the failed update error in Update history
- Go to Start > Settings > Windows Update > Update history.
- Confirm the failed update and error code.
If the device is still trying to install an older affected update, use the Microsoft workaround
- Warning: Editing the registry incorrectly can cause system issues. Back up the registry first.
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
- Run:
```
     reg add "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Bfsvc" /v EspPaddingPercent /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
```
- Restart the device.
- Retry Windows Update.
Restart again to allow Known Issue Rollback to apply faster
- Microsoft notes this mitigation automatically propagates to consumer and non-managed business devices.
If updates are still blocked, try the standard Windows Update cleanup steps
- Warning: These steps require administrator permissions and command-line changes.
- Open Command Prompt as administrator and run these commands one at a time:
```
     net stop bits
     net stop wuauserv
     ren %systemroot%\softwaredistribution softwaredistribution.bak
     ren %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 catroot2.bak
     net start bits
     net start wuauserv
```
- Restart the PC and try Windows Update again.
Also remove common upgrade blockers before retrying
- Disconnect nonessential external hardware.
- Temporarily uninstall non-Microsoft antivirus software.
- Uninstall nonessential older software.

The large free space on the main drive does not rule this out, because this specific failure is tied to free space on the EFI System Partition, not the main Windows partition.

Answer 2

Hi Ramchandhar,

The error "We couldn't update the system partition" occurs if the EFI partition is full. To resolve the issue, please open Command Prompt (admin) and run the following command:

reg.exe add "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Bfsvc" /v EspPaddingPercent /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

Post the output here.

Try to install the updates now.

If the same error occurs, run these commands to free up space in the EFI partition:

cmd.exe

mountvol Y: /s

del  /q  Y:\EFI\Microsoft\Boot\Fonts\*.ttf

powershell -command "GCI Y:\  -File -Recurse | Sort Length -descending | Select FullName, Length, Mode -first 10"

dir Y:\

Post the output here.