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0x80073712High

Windows Update Component Store Corrupted

What this error means

Error 0x80073712 indicates that Windows Update failed because some files needed for the update are missing or corrupted. This typically means the component store (where Windows stores update files) has become damaged.

This error can prevent important security updates from being installed, leaving your system vulnerable.

Common causes

  • 1Corrupted Windows Update cache
  • 2Interrupted previous updates
  • 3Disk errors affecting system files
  • 4Third-party software conflicts
  • 5Insufficient disk space during updates

How to fix it

Step 1: Run Windows Update Troubleshooter

  1. Go to Settings → Update & Security → Troubleshoot
  2. Click "Additional troubleshooters"
  3. Select "Windows Update" and run it

Step 2: Run DISM to Repair Component Store

  1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator
  2. Run: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
  3. Wait for the process to complete (this may take 15-30 minutes)
  4. Run: sfc /scannow
  5. Restart your computer

Step 3: Reset Windows Update Components

  1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator
  2. Stop update services: 
    net stop wuauserv
net stop cryptSvc
net stop bits
net stop msiserver
  3. Rename update folders: 
    ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old
  4. Restart services: 
    net start wuauserv
net start cryptSvc
net start bits
net start msiserver
  5. Try Windows Update again

When to seek help

If the component store remains corrupted after these steps, you may need to:

  • Perform an in-place upgrade (repair install) of Windows
  • Reset Windows while keeping your files

Continuing to defer security updates can leave your system vulnerable to known exploits.

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