If the Windows update files don\u2019t download correctly, it can lead to the \u201cWindows we couldn’t complete the updates \u201d issue.<\/p>\n
- \n
- Lack of sufficient disk space<\/b>:<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Usually, you need some free space to install the Windows updates<\/a>. When you have insufficient disk space, the update won\u2019t be installed, which can cause the error.<\/p>\n
- \n
- Corruption of system files<\/b>:<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
If the system files are corrupted<\/a>, the installation process won\u2019t proceed as expected. As such, you\u2019ll most likely get the \u201c We couldn\u2019t complete the updates. Undoing changes \u201d error message.<\/p>\n
- \n
- The Windows update was interrupted during the file installation:<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Some users asked, \u201cWhat happens if I force-shut down<\/a>\u00a0my computer while updating?\u201d First, the update won\u2019t continue, and you risk corrupting some system files.\u00a0 Likewise, switching the PC off unexpectedly caused the incomplete download since some files were still downloading.<\/p>\n
\nFollow Instruction below or check our guide<\/strong><\/p>\n
“How to Boot Windows 10 in Safe Mode?<\/a>”<\/p>\n
\nHow to Boot in Safe Mode Before Applying the Fixes<\/h2>\n
Reboot your computer and press
F8, F9, or F11<\/code>. The options vary depending on your computer’s model.<\/p>\n- \n
- If you don\u2019t know which option works for your PC, press the power button to turn on your device.<\/li>\n
- Next, in the Choose an option<\/em> screen, select Troubleshoot<\/em> and click Advanced options.<\/li>\n
- Then, click on Startup Settings<\/em> and select Restart<\/em>.<\/li>\n
- After your device reboots, select option 4<\/em> to enable Safe Mode (choose option 5 if you want safe mode with networking).<\/li>\n
- Once your PC boots in Safe Mode, follow the steps below.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Since the reasons behind the \u201c We couldn\u2019t complete the updates. Undoing changes\u201d error message affect computers differently, some solutions might not work on your device. So, we recommend you try them all, one by one, in any order, until you resolve the issue.<\/p>\n
\nAlso Read: <\/strong>How to add Safe Mode to the Boot menu in Windows 10?<\/a><\/p>\n
\nHow to Resolve the \u201cWe Couldn\u2019t Complete the Updates. Undoing Changes.\u201d Error<\/h2>\n
If your computer keeps rebooting, you\u2019ll need to boost in<\/p>\n
Safe Mode before you can implement any changes. We\u2019ll show you how to reboot your PC before applying the fixes.<\/p>\n
Fix 1: Run the Windows troubleshooter<\/h3>\n
Before you try anything else, we suggest first running the<\/p>\n
Windows Troubleshooter. This built-in feature scans and detects possible issues that could be preventing you from updating your OS.<\/p>\n
It also attempts to fix the problems it finds automatically. The tool is quite effective, and it might be all you need to fix the \u201c Windows couldn’t complete updates \u201d Windows Update error.<\/p>\n
To use this tool, follow the below steps:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Press the
Windows Key<\/code> or click Start<\/em>.<\/li>\n- Type in
Troubleshooter<\/code> and click on Troubleshoot Settings.<\/em>\u00a0<\/b>This takes you directly to the Troubleshoot<\/em> window in the Settings<\/em>\u00a0<\/em>app.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\r\n\r\n![\"\"]()
\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n- \n
- Look for Windows Update<\/em>\u00a0in the right pane and click on it to highlight additional options.<\/li>\n
- Click on Run the Troubleshooter<\/em>\u00a0and wait for Windows to do its thing.<\/li>\n
- Check the results of the scan and apply the solutions, if any.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Check whether the \u201c Windows couldn\u2019t complete updates \u201d error has been resolved.<\/p>\n
\r\n\tPRO TIP<\/div>\r\nIf running the Windows Troubleshooter doesn\u2019t resolve the issue, you might need a more comprehensive solution. Auslogics BoostSpeed<\/a> can help fix update errors while optimizing and speeding up your entire system.<\/p>\nDownload Auslogics BoostSpeed now to ensure your PC runs smoothly and efficiently.<\/div>\r\n
\r\n Download for Free<\/a>\r\n Learn More<\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\n
\nRelated: <\/strong>Windows Update Troubleshooter: Fixing Windows Update Issues<\/a><\/p>\n
\nFix 2: Delete the contents of the SoftwareDistribution folder<\/h3>\n
If the troubleshooter couldn\u2019t identify the problem, deleting the files in the SoftwareDistribution folder might help. This folder stores all Windows Update files.<\/p>\n
If damaged or corrupted, you might run into the \u201c We couldn\u2019t complete the updates. Undoing changes \u201d error message. Here\u2019s how to delete the contents of the SoftwareDistribution folder:<\/p>\n
- \n
- First, stop the Windows Update services before proceeding. Here\u2019s how: run the Command Prompt<\/a> with administrative privileges and execute the commands below, one by one, in the presented order:<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
net stop wuauserv\r\nnet stop bits\r\nnet stop cryptSvc\r\nnet stop msiserver<\/pre>\n
\r\n\r\n![\"\"]()
\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n- \n
- Next, go to File Explorer<\/em> and access the SoftwareDistribution<\/em> folder, which should be located in drive C: (C:\\Windows\\SoftwareDistribution<\/em>).<\/li>\n
- Delete everything in this folder.<\/li>\n
- With the contents deleted, restart the Windows update services. To do so, enter the commands in an elevated Command Prompt<\/em> and press
Enter<\/code> after each command.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nnet start wuauserv\r\nnet start bits\r\nnet start cryptSvc\r\nnet start msiserver<\/pre>\n
Restart your computer and try rerunning Windows Update.<\/p>\n
\nRelated: <\/strong>How to Delete SoftwareDistribution Folder from a Windows 10 PC?<\/a><\/p>\n
\nFix 3: Disable automatic Windows update<\/h3>\n
Disabling automatic Windows Update works for some users and might also work for you. You must stop the Windows Update service via the Services window. Here\u2019s how:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Press the\u00a0
Win + R<\/code> keyboard shortcuts, type inservices. msc<\/code> in the Run box<\/em>, and pressEnter<\/code>. <\/em><\/li>\n- Navigate to the Windows Update service and double-click it to open its Properties<\/em>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\r\n\r\n![\"\"]()
\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n- \n
- Click the Startup Type<\/em> drop-down list and select Disabled<\/em>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\r\n\r\n
![\"\"]()
\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n- \n
- Check if the service is running next to the Service Status<\/em> option. If it is, click Stop <\/em>to stop it.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\r\n\r\n
![\"\"]()
\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n- \n
- Hit the Apply <\/em>button and then click OK<\/em>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Restart your PC and try updating the system if the \u201c we couldn’t complete the updates undoing changes\u201d error has been resolved.<\/p>\n
\nRelated: <\/strong>[FIXED] Windows Update Error 0x80073701<\/a><\/p>\n
\nFix 4: Activate the app readiness service<\/h3>\n
The App Readiness service<\/a> is required by Windows when installing updates. Check if it\u2019s turned off, and if it\u2019s, turn it on. Here\u2019s the process:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Open the Services<\/em> window as outlined in Fix 3 above.<\/li>\n
- Navigate to the App Readiness<\/em> service and double-click it to open its Properties<\/em>\u00a0window.<\/li>\n
- Click the Startup Type<\/em> and select Automatic<\/em>\u00a0from the drop-down list.<\/li>\n
- Click Start<\/em> under Service Status<\/em>.<\/li>\n
- Click Apply<\/em> and OK<\/em>, and restart your system.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Still encountering the \u201c We couldn\u2019t complete the updates. Undoing changes\u201d error ? Move to the next solution below.<\/p>\n
Fix 5: Delete recently installed updates<\/h3>\n
We mentioned that Windows files might not have downloaded properly or the Windows update was interrupted during installation.<\/p>\n
If that\u2019s the case, you can try to delete the problematic Windows update files using the steps below:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Press the
Win + I<\/code> keyboard shortcut and select Update & Security.<\/em> Then, click Windows Update.<\/em><\/li>\n- Click the View update history<\/em>\u00a0link.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\r\n\r\n![\"\"]()
\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n- \n
- Choose the Uninstall Updates<\/em>\u00a0option, look for the problematic updates, and uninstall them.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\nAlso Read:<\/strong>Windows Update Cleanup: A Comprehensive Guide to Free Up Disk Space<\/a><\/p>\n
\nFix 6: Run DISM and SFC tools<\/h3>\n
If system file corruption causes the error, try running the<\/p>\n
Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) and System File Checker (SFC) tools. The DISM feature effectively resolves various issues affecting your system files.<\/p>\n
The SFC tool, on the other hand, checks for corrupt or damaged system files and replaces them with good copies.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s how to run the SFC tool:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Open the Command Prompt<\/em> with administrator rights. To do so, press the
Windows logo<\/code> on your keyboard and typecmd<\/code>. Select Run as Administrator<\/em>\u00a0in the right pane.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\r\n\r\n![\"\"]()
\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n- \n
- Type
sfc \/scannow<\/code> in the command, and hitEnter<\/code>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\r\n\r\n![\"\"]()
\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n- \n
- Once completed successfully, type
DISM \/Online \/Cleanup-Image \/RestoreHealth<\/code>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\r\n\r\n![\"\"]()
\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\nRestart your system and check if the error has been resolved. If the DISM tool can\u2019t obtain files online, insert the installation media and type
DISM.exe \/Online \/Cleanup-Image \/RestoreHealth \/Source:C:RepairSourceWindows \/LimitAccess<\/code>\u00a0in the command.<\/p>\n\r\n\tNotes<\/div>\r\n\tReplace C:RepairSourceWindows<\/em> with the path to your installation media<\/a> (USB or DVD). Now, re-run the SFC tool to ensure all corrupted system files are fixed. <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\nFix 7: Restore your PC<\/h3>\n
- Once completed successfully, type
- Type
- Open the Command Prompt<\/em> with administrator rights. To do so, press the
- Click the View update history<\/em>\u00a0link.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Navigate to the App Readiness<\/em> service and double-click it to open its Properties<\/em>\u00a0window.<\/li>\n
- Open the Services<\/em> window as outlined in Fix 3 above.<\/li>\n
- Hit the Apply <\/em>button and then click OK<\/em>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Check if the service is running next to the Service Status<\/em> option. If it is, click Stop <\/em>to stop it.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Navigate to the Windows Update service and double-click it to open its Properties<\/em>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Next, go to File Explorer<\/em> and access the SoftwareDistribution<\/em> folder, which should be located in drive C: (C:\\Windows\\SoftwareDistribution<\/em>).<\/li>\n
- Click on Run the Troubleshooter<\/em>\u00a0and wait for Windows to do its thing.<\/li>\n
- Type in
- Then, click on Startup Settings<\/em> and select Restart<\/em>.<\/li>\n
- The Windows update was interrupted during the file installation:<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Corruption of system files<\/b>:<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/System-Troubleshoot.png\")
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\r\n <\/div>\r\n ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Windows-Update-Properties-Local-Computer.png.png\")
\r\n <\/div>\r\n ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Windows-Update-Properties-Local-Computer-Stop.png.png\")
\r\n <\/div>\r\n ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/aibi2n0f.png\")
\r\n <\/div>\r\n ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Run-Command-Prompt-As-Admin.png.png\")
\r\n <\/div>\r\n ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Command-Prompt-SFC-SCANNOW-.png\")
\r\n <\/div>\r\n ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Command-Prompt-RestoreHealth.png\")
\r\n <\/div>\r\n ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/advanced-options-system-restore.png.png\")
\r\n <\/div>\r\n ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Syste-Restore-Restore-Your-Computer-1.png\")
\r\n <\/div>\r\n