‘You are either part of the solution

or you are part of the problem’

Eldridge Cleaver

Windows 10 is a system that requires regular updates, which allows you to get the most out of Microsoft’s cutting-edge developments and achievements. And yet this comes with its downsides. What we are talking about is that the process of updating the latest Windows OS is oftentimes no easy task at all due to various update errors coming into play every now and then. One of them is referred to as the 0x8007001f error, and it might seem quite a headache to the untrained eye.

The error in question prevents you from updating your operating system, which is bad because your Win 10 being outdated is a security threat as well as a performance issue. This means that the problem in question should be addressed immediately. We guess you understand its urgency since you are here. The good news is, you have arrived at the right place – here you can find a whole collection of pointers on how to fix the 8007001f error:

Fix your driver issues

The issue we are dealing with in this article is often caused by problematic audio drivers. That is why those who are looking how to fix the assistant error 8007001f should start troubleshooting with checking their audio drivers. The easiest way to do that is by using a special program. For instance, Auslogics Driver Updater will scan all your drivers – not only those related to your audio devices – for issues and repair or update them if need be in just one click.

On the other hand, you are free use the built-in Device Manager solution, but keep in mind that this approach is rather complicated:

  1. Press the Windows logo key + X shortcut.
  2. Select Device Manager from the list of options.
  3. Move to Sound, video, and game controllers and click on this section.
  4. Locate your audio device and right-click on it.
  5. Select Update driver.
  6. Allow Device Manager to search for the driver you need online. Wait for it to be downloaded and installed.
  7. Finally, restart your computer for the new driver to settle down and become effective.

The catch is, Device Manager may fail to find what is needed. So, there is a high chance you will have to visit the website of your audio device manufacturer and search for the necessary software yourself. In a scenario like this, make sure you know exactly what you are looking for since downloading and installing something wrong is likely to make things go from bad to worse.

Temporarily disable your antivirus

Non-Microsoft antivirus tools are often reported to be behind the 0x8007001f error, so let’s check if that is your case. Turn off your third-party solution and see how things go. If the error in question is no more, than your antivirus product is the culprit. In a situation like this, you should configure the software not to interfere with your updates. If that is impossible or to no avail, do not hesitate to contact the manufacturer. Keep in mind that you may need to do away with the product that is causing headaches for you.

There is no need to worry about such an outcome: your Windows 10 can be protected by the built-in Windows Defender solution (you can find and configure it here: Start menu -> Settings -> Update & Security -> Windows Defender).

That said, Windows Defender may not be enough to keep malicious entities at bay. For this reason, we advise installing Auslogics Anti-Malware, which is a powerful tool capable of catching the most dangerous threats from the world of malware – those that other antivirus products may struggle to detect.

Restart your Windows Update service

This simple manoeuvre has helped many users to get rid of the notorious 0x8007001f error, so let’s give this method a try:

  1. Open the Run app by pressing the Windows logo key + R shortcut.
  2. Tap in services.msc and hit the Enter button.
  3. Locate Windows Update in the Services list and right-click on it.
  4. From the drop-down menu, select Properties. You will be taken to the Windows Update Properties window.
  5. Go to the General tab. Move down to the Startup type menu.
  6. Set the startup type to Disabled.
  7. Click Apply and OK to save your changes.
  8. Restart your computer.

After your Windows boots up and settles down, see if your issue has been resolved.

Create a new user account

If the 0x8007001f nuisance persists, you should try creating a new user account. The point is, the current one might be corrupt, which can cause your Windows Update service to malfunction.

Here are the instructions you need to create a new user account in Windows 10:

  1. Open the Settings app: simultaneously press the Windows logo and I keys.
  2. Go to Accounts and navigate to the left pane.
  3. Then select Family & other people.
  4. Select Add someone else to this PC.
  5. Click I don’t have this person’s sign-in information.
  6. Click Add a user without a Microsoft account.
  7. Enter your new username and password.
  8. Click Next to proceed.

Finally, migrate to your new account and check if your Windows Update is up and running now.

Use System File Checker

The chances are your 0x8007001f issue stems from corrupt system files. As such, it is time for you to run an SFC scan to check them and replace them at boot if need be:

  1. Use the Windows logo key + S letter key shortcut on your keyboard.
  2. Type cmd and press Enter.
  3. Navigate to Command Prompt and right-click on it.
  4. Run it as an administrator.
  5. Now type the following command: sfc /scannow.
  6. Hit Enter and wait until the scan is finished.

After exiting your Command Prompt window, restart your PC. Hopefully, your Windows Update issue is no more.

Run DISM

In some cases, running the Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool proves extremely successful in getting rid of the 0x8007001f issue. The DISM command is designed to fix your underlying Windows system image:

  1. Open your Command Prompt with administrative privileges.
  2. Enter DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth.
  3. Press Enter to execute the command.

If this fix has failed to help you, just move on. You have yet to try some other tricks.

Check your registry

Windows Registry is an extremely fragile component of your OS. It can get corrupt or damaged and thus cause your Windows Update to go haywire. Dealing with such a problem manually requires superb technical knowledge. If you are an IT expert, you can modify your registry yourself, but we implore you to proceed with caution. However, there is another, much safer way to get you registry back on track. It implies using a special program to get the job done. In this regard, we can recommend Auslogics Registry Cleaner: this user-friendly tool will edit your registry with utmost precision, and on top of that, this software is free.

Perform a clean boot

If you are yet to fix your update error, it is time to perform a clean boot. This procedure will help you find out if some third-party product is interfering with your Windows Update.

To clean boot your Windows 10, do the following:

  1. Press the Windows logo key and the R key to invoke the Run app.
  2. Type msconfig into the Run bar. Click OK.
  3. Once in the System Configuration window, navigate to the Services tab.
  4. Check Hide all Microsoft services.
  5. Click Disable all.
  6. Then move to the Startup tab.
  7. Click on the Open Task Manager link.
  8. Right-click every startup item on the list and select Disable.
  9. Go back to System Configuration. Click Apply and OK.
  10. Restart your computer.

Your PC will restart into a clean boot state. This means only a minimal set of drivers and startup programs are loaded. If the 0x8007001f issue is not here, then you have disabled the culprit. Now you can perform an upgrade. If you wish to detect what triggers the update problem, you should enable the services and items that you have previously disabled. Turn them on one by one: when the problem shows up again, you will realize what is behind it.

After your clean boot troubleshooting is over, start up your Windows 10 normally:

  1. Open Search or Run.
  2. Type msconfig. Press Enter.
  3. Navigate to the General tab.
  4. Click Normal Startup.
  5. Go to the Services tab.
  6. Deselect Hide all Microsoft services.
  7. Click Enable all.
  8. Go to the Startup tab.
  9. Click Open Task Manager.
  10. Enable your startup programs and click OK.

Finally, restart your computer. Now you are in normal mode again.

Perform an in-place upgrade

If all the tips above have been to no avail, your best bet might be performing an in-place upgrade. Here is what you should do:

  1. Open your browser and search for Media Creation Tool.
  2. Download the tool and run it on your computer.
  3. Select the Upgrade this PC now option.
  4. Select Download and install updates (recommended).
  5. Click Next to proceed. You will be walked through the process.
  6. Select Change what to keep.
  7. Select Keep personal files and apps.
  8. Click Next to move on.

Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the upgrade process. Once you are done, feel free to enjoy the latest version of Windows 10 with all the available updates installed.

Now you know how to fix the 0x8007001f error. If you need further assistance or have any ideas regarding this issue, please comment below.