If you receive Windows Update error 80070002 while checking for updates, you need to remove the temporary update files that Windows uses to identify updates for your computer. To remove the temporary files, stop the Windows Update service, delete the temporary update files, restart the Windows Update service, and then try to check for Windows updates again.
You must be logged on as an administrator to perform these steps.
1.
Open Administrative Tools by clicking the Start button , clicking Control Panel, clicking System and Maintenance, and then clicking Administrative Tools.
2.
Double-click Services. If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
3.
Right-click the Windows Update service, and then click Stop.
Open Computer by clicking the Start button , and then clicking Computer.
2.
Double-click the local hard disk where Windows is installed, typically drive C.
3.
Double-click the Windows folder, and then double-click the SoftwareDistribution folder.
4.
Double-click the DataStore folder to open it, and then delete all files and folders in the folder. If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
5.
Click the Back button. In the SoftwareDistribution folder, double-click the Download folder to open it, and then delete all files in the folder. If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
You must be logged on as an administrator to perform these steps.
1.
Open Administrative Tools by clicking the Start button , clicking Control Panel, clicking System and Maintenance, and then clicking Administrative Tools.
2.
Double-click Services. If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
3.
Right-click the Windows Update service, and then click Start.
If the problem persists after you have followed the steps above, go to the Microsoft Update Solution Center
website to request support by e‑mail.
Deleting temporary update files will help solve the problem, but it will also delete the history in Windows Update. You can still see which updates are installed on your computer by going to Installed Updates.
To see which updates are installed on the computer
•
Open Installed Updates by clicking the Start button , clicking Control Panel, clicking Programs, and then, under Programs and Features, clicking View installed updates.
Help and Support search term: WindowsUpdate_80070002
The primary storage device located inside a computer. Also called a hard drive or hard disk drive, it is where your files and programs are typically stored.
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