Solve Windows Update Error 0x80070003

Windows Update Error 0x80070003 occurs when you try to upgrade Windows to its newer version. For instance, the update process stops at the time of upgrading the Windows 8 PC to Windows 10. As a result, users come across the error code 0x80070003. This error is accompanied by a message that something has happened and Windows 10 cannot be installed.

You might be one of those users who is struggling with getting rid of this error. But, you don’t have to worry as this article will let you know how to fix this issue successfully.

Methods to Eliminate Windows Update Error 0x80070003

So, let us move with the methods we can apply to fix this issue.

Method 1: Check the Date and Time Settings

Windows update error 0x80070003 can occur if the date and time settings are set incorrectly on your PC.

For Windows 10 PC

1. Right-click the ‘Date and Time’ settings on the bottom-right corner of the computer’s screen.
2. Select ‘Adjust date/time’ and check whether the Date and Time Settings are correct or not.
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3. If the date and time zone are incorrect, then turn off the toggle for the ‘Set time automatically’ option.
4. Then, tap on the ‘Change’ button next to the Date and Time Settings and set the time manually.
5. Alternatively, you can click on ‘Date and Time’ settings and select ‘Correct Time Zone’ from the drop-down menu.
6. Restart your PC and see whether you can update the Operating System or not.

For Windows 7 PC

1. Select ‘Date and Time’ Settings at the lower-right corner of the screen.
2. Choose ‘Change date and time settings’ and make sure that these are correct.
3. If the settings are incorrect, then select ‘Change date and time’ or ‘Change time one’ option to set them manually.
4. Restart the system to apply the changes and try to update Windows.

Method 2: Run Windows Update Troubleshooter

Windows update troubleshooter is a built-in tool of Windows to fix minor and sometimes even major technical glitches. Those who do not have this tool installed on their PC, follow the steps given below to install it.

1. Search for Windows update troubleshooter on the internet and then tap on the ‘Save File’ option next to it.
2. Select a location to save the file, click the ‘OK’ button and let the download finish.
3. Navigate to the directory where you have downloaded the troubleshooter and right-click on it and choose ‘Run as administrator’.
4. If Windows displays a user account control message, then tap the ‘Yes’ button to continue.
5. Follow the on-screen wizards to complete the installation of the troubleshooter on your PC.
6. After the installation is over, reboot the PC and check whether you can update your Windows version or not.

Now, those who already have this tool installed on their PC, they can simply go to Settings. Then, click the ‘Update and Security’ tab and choose the ‘Troubleshoot’ option.

Go to the ‘Windows Update’ section below the ‘Troubleshoot’ menu and select ‘Run the troubleshooter.’ Wait for the Troubleshooter to scan your PC and fix the problems therein.

Method 3: Restart Windows Update Service

1. Press Windows logo key and ‘S’ at the same time to access the search bar.
2. Type ‘Control Panel’ in the search bar and press ‘Enter’ to open the Control Panel.
3. Select Control Panel from the search result and go back to the search box.
4. Enter the ‘Administrative Tools’ and choose ‘Administrative Tools’ feature.
5. Click ‘Services’ below Administrative Tools and enter the password for the administrator account.
6. Search for Windows Update from the list of options available.
7. Right-click on Windows Update service and select ‘Stop’ from its submenu.
8. Reboot your Windows PC and access Windows Update service again.
9. Choose Windows Update service, right-click on it and select the ‘Start’ option.
10. Now check whether Windows can upgrade to a newer version or not.

Method 4: Delete the DataStore Folder

1. Go to File Explorer or open it from the Windows search bar.
2. Double-click the File Explorer and open the ‘C’ drive where you have installed the Windows Operating System.
3. Double-click on the ‘Windows’ folder in ‘C’ drive to expand it.
4. Find out the ‘SoftwareDistribution’ folder and double-click on it.
5. Then, double-click on the ‘DataStore’ folder to open it and select all its files.
6. As you tap the ‘Delete’ button, Windows ask you to enter the password for your administrator account.
7. So, return to the ‘SoftwareDistribution’ folder and double-click on the ‘Download’ folder to open it.
8. After that, select all the folders inside the ‘Download’ folder and delete them as well.
9. Reboot the system and restart Windows Update service again as we have discussed in the previous method.
10. Check whether you can update the Operating System to a newer version or not.

Method 5: Restart Windows Update by Using Command Prompt

1. Type ‘cmd’ in the search box and press ‘Enter’ to open the Command Prompt.
2. Choose ‘Command Prompt (admin)’ at the top of the search results.
3. If Windows asks for an administrator password, then please provide it.
4. Type ‘net stop wuauserv’ in the Command Prompt and press ‘Enter.’
5. Then, open another command and enter ‘net stop bits’ in it. Note that you will need to avoid the quotes while entering the command.
6. Reboot your PC and open a Command Prompt window once again.
7. Now, type ‘net start wuauserv’ in it without quotes and hit the ‘Enter’ key.
8. Then, enter ‘net start bits’ in another command line and press ‘Enter.’
9. Try to run Windows Update feature and check whether it can install a higher version of the Operating System or not.

Method 6: Run DISM Tool

1. Press Windows logo key and ‘X’ at the same time to access the menu.
2. Then click the ‘Command Prompt (admin) icon from the menu to open it.
3. Copy and paste the command, ‘Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth’ in the Command Prompt and press ‘Enter.’
4. Wait for 10 minutes and then reboot the PC and try to update Windows.
5. Move on to the next method if Windows Update error 0x80070003 repeats itself.

Method 7: Free Up Disk Space

If Windows update is failing due to top lack of enough space in your PC, then free up some space. We have two ways to free up disk space.

Remove the Unwanted Files

1. Go to the Start menu and open ‘File Explorer.’
2. Click on ‘This PC’ and open a folder to see the files saved in it.
3. Click on the ‘View’ tab, select ‘Details’ and sort by the size of the files.
4. Every computer always displays the largest file at the top of the list.
5. If these files are no more important, then select them and tap the ‘Delete’ button.
6. If you need these files afterward, then select them and move them to an external storage device like a USB drive or SD card.

Uninstall the Unimportant Applications

1. Go to Settings and select ‘Apps and Features.’
2. You will get the list of apps installed on your device along with the amount of space each of them uses.
3. Select the unnecessary apps and click on ‘Uninstall’ to remove them from your device.

Method 8: Repair Hard Drive Errors

1. First of all, make sure that no external devices like USBs are connected to your PC. Or else, you will need to remove them.
2. Search for Command Prompt and open Command Prompt as Administrator.
3. Type ‘chkdsk/f/ C’ in the Command Prompt and press ‘Enter’ to execute this command.
   
4. The command runs the inbuilt repair tool of Windows to fix the hard drive errors.
5. Restart your PC after receiving a message from Windows.
6. Now, try to install the desired version of Windows to ensure that you are no longer getting error 0x80070003.

Method 9: Restore and Repair System Files

1. Type ‘System Restore’ in the search box and select ‘Recommended Restore.’
2. Click ‘Choose a different restore point’ in order to select the restore point on your own.
3. If you do not want to select the restore point manually, then choose ‘Available restore point.’
4. Tap the ‘Next’ button to restore the system to a correct working state.
5. After restoring the system, go back to the Command Prompt window.
6. Type ‘sfc/scannow’ in the Command Prompt and press ‘Enter’ to run the System File Checker tool.
7. Wait until the tool scans your PC and restore the problematic system file in it.

Method 10: Uninstall the Third-Party Security Software

1. Go to Control Panel and select Programs.
2. Under ‘Programs and Features,’ select the third-party security software and click on ‘Uninstall/Change.’
3. Click ‘Continue/Yes’ if the ‘User Account Control’ window pops up.
4. Follow the on-screen prompts to uninstall the software.
5. Finally, restart your computer to let the changes take effect.

Hope, you have followed this article and able to remove Windows update error 0x80070003 without any hassles.