You click Check for updates, wait a moment, and
Windows shows error 0x80070005. This code means “access denied”: Windows
Update tried to read or change a file or folder and wasn’t allowed to. The
usual causes are damaged update files, permission problems, or security
software getting in the way.
The fixes below go from the quickest to the most thorough.
Try them in order and check for updates after each one.
Quick answer
Restart your PC, run the Windows Update troubleshooter, and
if the error is still there, reset the Windows Update components (Fix 5).
Fix 1: Restart and check the date and time
A wrong clock can make update checks fail.
- Restart
your PC.
- Open
Settings → Time & language → Date & time.
- Turn
on Set time automatically, then click Sync now if it’s
available.
Fix 2: Run the Windows Update troubleshooter
- Windows
11: Settings → System → Troubleshoot → Other troubleshooters → Windows
Update → Run.
- Windows
10: Settings → Update & Security → Troubleshoot → Additional
troubleshooters → Windows Update → Run the troubleshooter.
[Screenshot: the Windows Update troubleshooter window]
Fix 3: Remove common blockers
- Temporarily
turn off any third-party antivirus (not Windows Security), then try
the update again. Turn it back on afterwards.
- Make
sure the C: drive has enough free space. 10 GB free is a comfortable
minimum.
- Unplug
USB drives and other devices you don’t need.
Fix 4: Repair system files
Damaged Windows files often trigger this error. Run the DISM
and SFC commands from our guide on repairing corrupted system files, restart,
and try again.
Fix 5: Reset the Windows Update components
This gives Windows fresh update folders. Your old ones are
renamed, not deleted, so nothing is lost.
- Click
Start, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt, and choose Run
as administrator.
- Run these commands one at a time, pressing Enter after each:
net stop wuauserv
net stop cryptSvc
net stop bits
net stop msiserver
ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old
net start wuauserv
net start cryptSvc
net start bits
net start msiserver- Restart
your PC and open Windows Update again.
[Screenshot: Command Prompt opened as administrator]
If it still doesn’t work
- Open
Settings → Windows Update → Update history and note the update that
fails (it has a KB number). You can download that update manually from
Microsoft’s Update Catalog website.
- As a
last resort, run an in-place repair by installing Windows again over
itself with the official installation media, choosing to keep personal
files and apps. Back up important files first.
Most people get past 0x80070005 with Fix 2 or Fix 5. If
another fix worked for you, share it in the comments.
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