When unable to update to the latest version, you don’t just lose out on several new features; it also affects the system’s performance and leaves it open to all sorts of security threats. So, let’s find out how to fix the 0x800f0905 Windows Update error on Windows 10 and Windows 11.

What does 0x800f0905 mean?

The Installer encountered an error 0x800f0905 message indicating the operating system’s inability to install the requested updates. Unfortunately, the error is quite persistent and not easily fixable. There are a bunch of reasons behind the 0x800f0905 error encountered by the installer, and we have listed the most prominent ones below:

Corrupt system files – If your computer has corrupt system files, it’s likely to lead to several issues, including Windows Update errors. Problems with Windows Update components – In some cases, users reported issues with the WU components, and resetting the Windows Update components did the trick. Misconfigured settings – You may receive the error message if the update or network settings are misconfigured. Third-party applications – Several third-party applications are known to conflict with the update process and throw errors. The simplest solution, in case of the Installer encountered an error 0x800f0905 message, is to uninstall the problematic app.

How can I fix Installer encountered an error 0x800f0905?

Before we walk you through the slightly complex solutions, here are a few simple ones:

Disable any third-party antivirus, security software, or firewall installed on the computer. If you have a VPN connection set up, disable it and use the regular connection to install the Windows update.

If that’s the case with you, the following solutions should get things up and running.

1. Run the Windows Update troubleshooter

Alternatively, you can try Restoro, which scans your PC for corrupted files and automatically fixes Windows Update-related errors.

2. Reset Windows update components

1. Press Windows + S to launch the Search menu, enter Windows Terminal in the text field at the top, right-click on the relevant search result, and then select Run as administrator from the context menu.

  1. Click Yes on the UAC (User Account Control) prompt that pops up.

  2. Up next, click on the downward arrow at the top, and select Command Prompt from the list of options. Alternatively, you can press Ctrl + Shift + 2 to launch the Command Prompt tab.

  3. Now, type/paste the following commands to stop the BITS and Windows update service, and hit Enter after each to execute them: net stop bits net stop wuauserv

  4. Next, enter the following command to delete the qmgr*.dat files:Del “%ALLUSERSPROFILE%Application DataMicrosoftNetworkDownloaderqmgr*.dat”

  5. Now, enter the following commands to rename some critical folders: Ren %Systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore DataStore.bak Ren %Systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution\Download Download.bak Ren %Systemroot%\System32\catroot2 catroot2.bak If this is your first attempt at resetting Windows Update components, skip this step.

  6. Paste the following commands and hit Enter to reset the BITS and Windows Update services: sc.exe sdset bits D:(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;SY)(A;;CCDCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRSDRCWDWO;;;BA)(A;;CCLCSWLOCRRC;;;AU)(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;PU) sc.exe sdset wuauserv D:(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;SY)(A;;CCDCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRSDRCWDWO;;;BA)(A;;CCLCSWLOCRRC;;;AU)(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;PU)

  7. Next, paste the following command and hit Enter:cd /d %windir%\system32

  8. You will now have to execute each of the following commands to reregister the BITS and Windows Update files to fix the 0x800f0905 error encountered by the installer: regsvr32.exe atl.dll regsvr32.exe urlmon.dll regsvr32.exe mshtml.dll regsvr32.exe shdocvw.dll regsvr32.exe browseui.dll regsvr32.exe jscript.dll regsvr32.exe vbscript.dll regsvr32.exe scrrun.dll regsvr32.exe msxml.dll regsvr32.exe msxml3.dll regsvr32.exe msxml6.dll regsvr32.exe actxprxy.dll SPONSORED regsvr32.exe softpub.dll regsvr32.exe wintrust.dll regsvr32.exe dssenh.dll regsvr32.exe rsaenh.dll regsvr32.exe gpkcsp.dll regsvr32.exe sccbase.dll regsvr32.exe slbcsp.dll regsvr32.exe cryptdlg.dll regsvr32.exe oleaut32.dll regsvr32.exe ole32.dll regsvr32.exe shell32.dll regsvr32.exe initpki.dll regsvr32.exe wuapi.dll regsvr32.exe wuaueng.dll regsvr32.exe wuaueng1.dll regsvr32.exe wucltui.dll regsvr32.exe wups.dll regsvr32.exe wups2.dll regsvr32.exe wuweb.dll regsvr32.exe qmgr.dll regsvr32.exe qmgrprxy.dll regsvr32.exe wucltux.dllregsvr32.exe muweb.dll regsvr32.exe wuwebv.dll

  9. Execute the following command to reset Winsock: netsh winsock reset

  10. Finally, execute these commands to restart the BITS and Windows Update service: net start bits net start wuauserv

Resetting the Windows Update components is one of the best fixes for any issues related to updating the OS. Though the process is slightly longer, it’s known to eliminate the install error – 0x800f0905 encountered by installer in Windows for a lot of users.

3. Perform a system restore

System restore takes your computer back to a state where the error didn’t exist altogether. For example, say it’s misconfigured settings or a conflicting application causing the error, and restoring the system works perfectly here.

4. Manually install the updates

After manually downloading and installing the Windows update, the 0x800f0905 error encountered by the installer should be eliminated.

5. Perform an in-place upgrade

That’s it! If none of the previous methods worked, performing an in-place upgrade should most certainly get things up and running when receiving the Installer encountered an error 0x800f0905 message. If it still doesn’t work, you can factory reset Windows 11 or even roll back to Windows 10. Tell us which fix worked or whether you had to reset Windows 11 in the comments section below.

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