How to fix update error code 0xc00000fd − Windows 10, Windows 8.1.

It is possible that a malicious software made to destroy everything it touches found its way to your computer, damaged vital files and led to error 0xc00000fd. To test this, scan your computer for malicious software using an antivirus or antimalware software. If threats are detected,  all you need to do is to remove them, after which you forget about this update error.

Be aware that having an antivirus installed doesn't mean that you are impervious to viruses, because you definitely are. Every day, new viruses enter the digital world ready to do harm. To protect yourself:

1. Stay away from emails sent by suspicious senders;
2. Don't visit suspicious websites you find online (sometimes not even Google can't react fast);
3. Don't download programs from other places but the developers' websites.
   
   

Learn more about how to protect your computer and how to clean it from viruses and other forms of malicious software through the easy-to-follow Computer virus protection guide.

There are many ways for an update to go wrong. Maybe your Internet was slow, or the connection was being frequently interrupted. Another way to fix the update error code 0xc00000fd is using the Windows Update Troubleshooter tool. Developed by Windows and used by millions, this tool will turn everything upside down to find and fix update errors. All you would need to do is to run it, follow the on-screen instructions, and wait for it to do its magic.

To use the tool to fix your computer, feel free to follow the steps below:

1. Go to Settings and click on Update & Security;
2. Click on Troubleshoot and then on Windows Update Troubleshooter;
3. Run the tool and follow the on-screen instructions.
   
   

   
   
   

Note: If your computer won't power on, in order to be able to access the troubleshooter, you will need to access the Safe Mode first (feel free to check the don't know how to boot in Safe Mode guide, if you are not sure how).

There are many processes running on your computer in the background. One of them may have been dragged into the updating process. This can be easily resolved by restarting the computer, which you need to try first, in order to fix Windows update error 0xc00000fd.

Turn off your computer and turn it back on after a few minutes. If you use a desktop computer, you can just unplug it from the power cord and plug it in after a couple of minutes, whereas if you use a laptop, and if its battery can be removed, remove its battery and reinsert it after a minute or two.

It is possible that a bug in one of the programs installed in your computer interrupts the Windows update process causing error 0xc00000fd to appear. To find and remove the program, you will have to do a clean boot, i.e. to run only the essential Windows components, without the programs installed in your computer.

To do a clean boot, follow the steps below:

1. Press the Windows key + R key on the keyboard to open the Run window and once it opens, type msconfig.exe and click on OK;
   
   

   
   
   

2. Click on the Services tab, tick (check) Hide all Microsoft services to avoid turning one of them off accidentally, which might result in system instability;
   
   

   
   
   

3. Disable all third-party programs you installed, by unchecking the check boxes next to them;
4. Click on Startup and disable all the programs that run when Windows starts;
5. Restart the computer.
   
   

After the computer turns on, run the programs one by one, following the steps below:

1. Right-click the start menu and select Programs and Features;
   
   

   
   
   

2. Select the program you want to uninstall and click Uninstall
   
   

   
   
   

Check out the don't know how to uninstall a program/an application guide for more solutions on how to uninstall programs.

The Windows update process usually runs automatically, however, it can also be run manually. Sometimes, the update can get stuck (usually because of a slow Internet connection), and won't execute fully. What you can try is to check if a Windows update is available, manually, which will prompt the Windows update components to do a manual check for updates and install them, if one is available.

To do a manual check for updates:

1. Go to the start menu and type check for updates;
2. Click on Check for updates;
3. Click on Install, which will only appear if an update is available.
   
   

To check for updates manually, feel free to check out the don't know how to update the operating system guide.

The Command Prompt holds the key to a wide range of powerful utilities. You can fix the error 0xc00000fd. by typing a couple of commands in following the steps below:

1. Open the start menu, type command prompt, right-click on it once it appears and select Run as administrator;
2. Type the commands below one at a time, pressing the Enter key after typing every command:
   
   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
   
   
3. Restart the computer.
   
   

Note: If Windows is installed in Local Disk D, E, etc., in two of the commands above use the respective letter:

Ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\ SoftwareDistribution.old > Ren D:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\ SoftwareDistribution.old
Ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2\ Catroot2.old > Ren D:\Windows\System32\catroot2\ Catroot2.old

If none of the other solutions worked, and reinstalling Windows is not an option, consider doing a System Restore. The System Restore feature will return Windows back to a certain restore point back in the past when it was working properly, without affecting your documents.

To restore your computer:

1. Go to the start menu and type System restore;
2. Click Next;
3. Select a restore point;
   *You can also check the Show more restore points box to see all the restore points stored on the system.
   **Click the Scan for affected programs first, which will show you what programs have been installed after the restore point was created.
   
   
4. Wait for the process to complete;
   
   

Note: Do not interrupt the process to avoid irreversible software damages and data loss. If you use a laptop, connect it to the AC adapter before you start restoring Windows.

If none of the other solutions, including System Restore, worked, consider reinstalling the device's operating system. Before you reset your computer, make sure to make a backup of your personal data (photos, music, videos and other invaluable documents) on an external hard drive, or to online backup solutions like Google Drive, OneDrive, etc., to avoid losing them in the process.

Check out the don't know how to install an operating system guide to learn how to (re)install your computer's operating system, safely.

For a Windows update to be downloaded properly, your Internet connection has to be stable. If it isn't stable, i.e. it drops frequently, then it would be unwise for you to download updates then, because errors like 0xc00000fd can appear.

Common solutions to improve your Internet stability include:

1. Position your computer closer to the router;
2. Keep your router in a central position of your house/apartment;
3. Use an underused router channel.
   
   

For more tips on improving your Internet connection, feel free to check the guide on fixing slow Internet connection.