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In most cases, updates are useful in fixing bugs and introducing new features. However, they are still vulnerable to errors and other issues.

You probably found this blog post because you wanted to know how to fix the Windows Update Error 0x80240017. Well, you’re in luck because we have several solutions for you. By the time you’re done reading this article, you will have an in-depth knowledge of what causes the 0x80240017 error. You will also be able to get rid of the problem without much effort.

What Causes the 0x80240017 Error?

So, you might ask, “Why do I get the Error 0x80240017 in Windows 10?” There are several reasons why this error code shows up. For one, you might have recently installed a third-party application or a Windows update which damaged the system files. It is possible that the installation was incomplete or that there were applications that were improperly deleted. Regardless of the cause of the problem, our solutions will allow you to fix the Windows Update Error 0x80240017.

Solution 1: Running the Windows Update Troubleshooter

One of the great things about Windows 10 is that it contains built-in troubleshooters for common issues people may encounter while using the OS. Since the Error 0x80240017 generally has something to do with Windows Update, the first solution you can try is running its troubleshooter. Here are the steps:

  1. On your keyboard, press Windows Key+I. Doing this should open the Settings app.
  2. Select Update & Security.
  3. Go to the left-pane menu, then click Troubleshoot.
  4. Now, go to the right pane and select Windows Update.
  5. Click the Run the Troubleshooter button.
  6. Wait for the troubleshooter to detect the existing issues on your computer. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the repair process.
  7. Restart your PC, then try installing the updates again to see if the Error 0x80240017 is gone.

Solution 2: Resetting the Components of Windows Update

Windows Update is supposed to run automatically and discreetly in the background. If the Error 0x80240017 is keeping it from downloading and installing updates successfully, you can try resetting its components. To do that, you need to follow the instructions below:

  1. Go to your taskbar, then click the Search icon.
  2. Type “Command Prompt” (no quotes) inside the search box.
  3. Right-click Command Prompt from the results, then select Run as Administrator.
  4. Run these commands at once:

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

pause

  1. Wait for the process to complete, then close Command Prompt.
  2. Try running Windows Update again, then check if the error is gone.

Solution 3: Running the System File Checker

As we’ve mentioned, the Error 0x80240017 shows up due to missing, damaged, or corrupted system files. In this case, running the System File Checker (SFC) will allow you to resolve the issue. An SFC scan should be able to detect and repair system-related issues. You can perform one by following the steps below:

  1. Go to your taskbar, then right-click the Windows icon.
  2. Select Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin) from the options.
  3. Now, run the following command:

sfc /scannow

  1. Once the scan and repair processes are complete, close Command Prompt or Windows PowerShell.
  2. Restart your PC.
  3. Download and install the updates again to see if the Error 80240017 is gone.

Solution 4: Updating your Drivers

If there are outdated or missing drivers in your computer, Windows Update will not run successfully. As such, we recommend updating your drivers. There are three ways to do this:

  1. Via the built-in Device Manager in your PC
  2. Going to the manufacturer’s website to get the latest drivers
  3. Automating the process with the help of Auslogics Driver Updater.

Option 1: Via the built-in Device Manager in your PC

  1. Click the Search icon on your taskbar.
  2. In the search box, type “Device Manager” (no quotes), then press Enter.
  3. Expand the contents of the first category.
  4. Right-click the first device, then select Update Driver. Perform this step for all the devices under the category.
  5. Make sure that you update all the drivers under all the categories.

Option 2: Going to the manufacturer’s website to get the latest drivers

Even if you’ve updated all your drivers via the Device Manager, your system can still miss an update or two. Therefore, you need to go to the manufacturer’s website to get the latest version of the drivers. Keep in mind that you must do this for all the devices installed in your PC. Moreover, you need to ensure that you get the versions that are compatible with your system. Otherwise, you might end up with system instability issues.

Option 3: Automating the process with the help of Auslogics Driver Updater


As you can see, manually updating your drivers can be risky and time-consuming. Thankfully, there is an easier and more reliable option. You can use Auslogics Driver Updater to fix all your driver-related issues at once. After activating this tool, you simply need to click a button and it will automatically recognize your operating system version and processor type. After that, Auslogics Driver Updater will look for the latest manufacturer-recommended drivers for your computer. There is no need to worry about making mistakes and exerting too much effort because Auslogics Driver Updater will make the process more convenient.

Which of these solutions is the easiest to follow?

Join the discussion below and share your answer!