> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://windows-errorssolveguide.mintlify.site/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # How to Fix Windows Update Error 0x80070003 (Step-by-Step) > Resolve Windows Update error 0x80070003 by running the built-in troubleshooter, resetting update paths, and repairing missing system directories. [Fix Error Now →]() Error 0x80070003 is a **path-not-found** error that surfaces most often during Windows Update when the update engine tries to access a directory that has moved, been renamed, or no longer exists. The good news is that Windows ships with several built-in tools that can restore the missing paths without a full reinstall. This guide walks you through every proven fix in order from simplest to most involved — work through them one at a time until the update completes successfully. *** ## Fix 1: Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter Windows includes an automated troubleshooter that scans for common update problems — including mismatched or inaccessible paths — and applies repairs silently in the background. **1. Open Windows Settings** Press **Win + I** to open the Settings app. **2. Navigate to Troubleshoot** Go to **System → Troubleshoot → Other troubleshooters**. **3. Run the Windows Update troubleshooter** Find **Windows Update** in the list and click the **Run** button next to it. **4. Apply the suggested fixes** Follow any on-screen prompts, apply all recommended fixes, then **restart your PC** and try Windows Update again. > [!NOTE] > > The automated troubleshooter resolves the majority of path-related update errors without any manual intervention. Always run this first before attempting the steps below. *** ## Fix 2: Reset the SoftwareDistribution Folder Windows Update stores downloaded update files in `C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution`. If this folder becomes corrupted or contains a broken path reference, renaming it forces Windows to create a clean copy on the next update attempt. > [!WARNING] > > You must open **Command Prompt as Administrator** for these commands to succeed. Right-click the Start button, select **Terminal (Admin)** or **Command Prompt (Admin)**, and confirm the UAC prompt. **1. Stop the Windows Update service** Open an elevated Command Prompt and run: ```powershell theme={null} net stop wuauserv ``` **2. Rename the SoftwareDistribution folder** Rename the existing folder to back it up. Windows recreates a fresh copy automatically on the next update attempt: ```powershell theme={null} ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.bak ``` **3. Restart the Windows Update service** Bring the service back online: ```powershell theme={null} net start wuauserv ``` **4. Retry Windows Update** Open **Settings → Windows Update** and click **Check for updates**. *** ## Fix 3: Run SFC to Detect Missing Paths The **System File Checker (SFC)** scans all protected Windows system files and replaces corrupted or missing ones from a cached copy. Importantly, SFC also verifies **directory junctions and symbolic links** — the exact type of path structure that triggers error 0x80070003. **1. Open an elevated Command Prompt** Right-click **Start → Terminal (Admin)** and confirm the UAC prompt. **2. Run the SFC scan** Type the command below and press **Enter**. The scan takes 10–20 minutes; do not close the window. **3. Review the results** When the scan finishes, SFC reports whether it found and repaired any integrity violations. Restart your PC and try Windows Update again. ```powershell theme={null} sfc /scannow ``` *** ## Fix 4: Check and Restore the System Drive Letter Windows expects its system files to reside on the **C:** drive. If a drive letter assignment changes — for example after adding a new disk or cloning a drive — update paths break instantly because they still reference `C:\`. **1. Open Disk Management** Press **Win + R**, type `diskmgmt.msc`, and press **Enter** — or right-click the **Start** button and select **Disk Management**. **2. Verify the Windows drive letter** Locate the partition where Windows is installed (it will have a Windows flag icon). Confirm it is labeled **C:**. **3. Change the drive letter if needed** If the drive shows a different letter, right-click the partition and choose **Change Drive Letter and Paths…**, then click **Change** and assign **C:**. **4. Restart your PC** Reboot to let Windows rebuild its path references, then retry the update. > [!WARNING] > > Only change the drive letter if it genuinely differs from **C:**. Reassigning an already-correct drive letter can break shortcuts, installed programs, and other path-dependent software. *** ## Fix 5: Re-register Windows Update DLLs Windows Update relies on a set of dynamic-link library (DLL) files to function. If one of these files becomes unregistered after a crash or failed update, the engine can no longer resolve the paths it needs. Re-registering them with `regsvr32` takes less than a minute. **1. Open an elevated Command Prompt** Right-click **Start → Terminal (Admin)**. **2. Run each regsvr32 command** Copy and paste all seven commands below into the prompt, then press **Enter**. You will see a success dialog for each DLL. **3. Restart and update** Restart your PC, then go to **Settings → Windows Update** and check for updates. ```powershell theme={null} regsvr32 wuapi.dll regsvr32 wuaueng.dll regsvr32 wuaueng1.dll regsvr32 wucltui.dll regsvr32 wups.dll regsvr32 wups2.dll regsvr32 wuweb.dll ``` *** ## Fix 6: Free Up Disk Space Windows Update refuses to proceed — and throws path-related errors — when it cannot create the temporary directories it needs because the drive is full. Use the built-in cleanup tools to recover space quickly. Run **Disk Cleanup** by pressing **Win + R**, typing `cleanmgr`, and pressing **Enter**. Select your system drive, check all boxes (especially **Windows Update Cleanup** and **Temporary files**), and click **OK**. Alternatively, open **Settings → System → Storage → Storage Sense** and run it on demand. > [!NOTE] > > Windows Update typically needs **10–20 GB of free space** on the system drive to download, extract, and apply updates without errors. Keep at least this much space available at all times. *** ## Still Not Fixed? If you have worked through all six fixes above and error 0x80070003 persists, the root cause is likely deeper — involving a corrupted system image, a broken junction point, or a damaged registry entry. The pages below cover those advanced scenarios. > **[Advanced Fixes](/0x80070003/advanced-fixes-error-0x80070003)** > > Use DISM, CBS log analysis, junction point repair, and a Windows in-place upgrade to fully eliminate the error. > **[What Causes Error 0x80070003?](/0x80070003/causes-of-error-0x80070003)** > > Understand exactly why Windows throws this path-not-found error so you can prevent it from coming back. This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.