Medium Operating Systems ✓ Solution Verified by Community (6+ upvotes)

How to fix error 0x80070490 in Windows 11

Error code 0X80070490 — community-reported fix.

✅ 70% success rate
👥 6+ users verified
📅 Updated: 2026-08-12
⏱️ 15 min read
Source: StackExchange Community · How we verify fixes
Error Code0x80070490
Affected SystemWindows 11 (Microsoft)
DifficultyMedium
Estimated Time15 min
Requires Admin Rights⚠️ Yes
Requires Reboot🔄 Yes

Solution Steps

  1. 1 Ensured that the system drive has sufficient storage space available.
  2. 2 Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter as admin which reportedly found and fixed the following problems: Potential Windows Update Database error detected
  3. 3 Windows Update components must be repaired
  4. 4 Check for pending updates
  5. 5 Run the following commands as admin: 3a. net stop wuauserv 3b. net stop bits 3c. ren c:\windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old 3d. net start wuauserv 3e. net stop bits
  6. 6 Stopped the Windows service cryptsvc , moved all files from %systemroot%\system32\catroot2\ to %systemroot%\system32\catroot2.old , and re-started the service.
  7. 7 .old -ed the folder C:\$WINDOWS.~BT\ .
  8. 8 Deleted the folder C:\Windows10Upgrade\ and re-run the Windows 10 Update Assistant.

Alternative Solutions

Method 2 (6 upvotes)

  1. Ensured that the system drive has sufficient storage space available.
  2. Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter as admin which reportedly found and fixed the following problems: Potential Windows Update Database error detected
  3. Windows Update components must be repaired
  4. Check for pending updates
  5. Run the following commands as admin: 3a. net stop wuauserv 3b. net stop bits 3c. ren c:\windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old 3d. net start wuauserv 3e. net stop bits
  6. Stopped the Windows service cryptsvc , moved all files from %systemroot%\system32\catroot2\ to %systemroot%\system32\catroot2.old , and re-started the service.
  7. .old -ed the folder C:\$WINDOWS.~BT\ .
  8. Deleted the folder C:\Windows10Upgrade\ and re-run the Windows 10 Update Assistant.

Method 3 (0 upvotes)

  1. Press Windows key + X and select 'Windows Terminal (Admin)' or 'Command Prompt (Admin)'. Type 'sfc /scannow' and press Enter. This scans all protected system files and replaces corrupted ones. It may take 15-20 minutes.
  2. If SFC finds issues but can't fix them, run DISM. In the same admin terminal, type 'DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth' and press Enter. This repairs the system image that SFC uses to fix files.
  3. If the error occurs during Windows Update, go to Settings → System → Troubleshoot → Other troubleshooters → Windows Update → Run. This tool can fix update-related issues.
  4. Check for corrupted registry keys: Press Windows key + R, type 'regedit', and press Enter. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Component Based Servicing. Look for any suspicious entries, but be careful — editing the registry incorrectly can cause serious problems. If unsure, skip this step.
  5. If the error persists, perform a repair upgrade: Download the Windows 11 ISO from Microsoft's website, mount it, and run setup.exe. Choose 'Keep personal files and apps' to reinstall Windows without losing data.

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