Question 0x80070026 Defender update fails for ~10 days

[blahcomp222]

Was hoping this would fix itself but for over a week trying to update defender I get this error, it downloads the files but fails to install after it reaches some %.

elsewhere I read: "You need to delete windows update files in software distribution folder inside windows folder, i think because the update files are corrupted
C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\Download
Delete the files reboot then check for updates It should fix it."

There's a bunch of folders and files in there I'm not sure if deleting all them will cause a bigger problem.
I'd rather not like microsoft.answers reps say to basically reinstall windows 10 while keeping files and settings intact from the times I've done that it seemed to be a good half hour+ of still having to reset settings etc how I had certain things. I recently did an external backup of my files but rather not do any system restores etc.

I run defender about once a day (and spybot) and fwiw it never found anything but I still need to keep the real time protection updated. thanks

update, that's weird, as I'm drafting this post, it correctly for first time completed and said up to date but it still couldn't install that Cumulative 22H2 thing.

https://imgur.com/uWvDN4d

View: https://imgur.com/uWvDN4d

https://imgur.com/Fl9wpwC

View: https://imgur.com/Fl9wpwC

 

[Colif]

Have you tried sfc and DISM?

right click start button

choose powershell (admin)

copy/paste this command into window:

Repair-WindowsImage -Online -RestoreHealth

and press enter

Then type SFC /scannow

and press enter

Restart PC if SFC fixes any files as some fixes require a restart to be implemented

First command repairs the files SFC uses to clean files, and SFC fixes system files

SFC = System File Checker. First command runs DISM - https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/manufacture/desktop/what-is-dism?view=windows-11


You could try a repair install, all it does is replaces windows. It should fix windows update problem.

After the action, all you need to do is grab latest cumullative update and maybe a few others. It doesn't take very long.

Repair Install Windows 10 with an In-place Upgrade

How to Do a Repair Install of Windows 10 with an In-place Upgrade

www.tenforums.com

 

[blahcomp222]

HAHA YOU FIXED IT! thank you so much, glad it was an easy fix too.