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"Error :- Failure Configuring Windows Updates. Reverting Changes."

Problem

You install all the new patches that are missing. But the newly installed patches are again found missing once the computer restarts. All the new patches that were installed previously would have got rolled back after the restart with the following error: "Failure Configuring Windows Update. Reverting Changes." 

Cause

This happens when the operating system tries to roll back to the way Windows was before the update. The updates could fail due to the following reasons:

  • Too many updates are trying to load at once.
  • The software you have already installed on your computer is not compatible with the update.

Resolution

1. Disable Anti-virus temporarily and redeploy the failed patches

If your anti-virus program blocks or otherwise interferes with a program installation you may end up with a failed install. Hence almost all software installation programs now recommend that you turn off your anti-virus before the installation to avoid any potential errors.

2. Deploy Cleanup Patch

Search and Deploy the component store cleanup patch 105979 from supported patches list and then redeploy the failed patches. Refer the following  Knowledge Base on troubleshooting errors in windows updates.

3. Perform a clean boot

Sometimes, the third party services running in the background can interfere with the installation of updates. Hence we recommend you perform the clean boot. Refer this document on How to perform clean boot. Endpoint Central Agent might stop running on performing clean boot and hence it needs to be started up manually. To do this,

  • Press winkey + R, type "services.msc"
  • Search for ManageEngine Endpoint Central -Agent
  • Right click on it -> click properties -> select startup type as "Automatic" -> click "start" under Service status -> click "Ok"

Now, redeploy the failed patches.

4. Navigate to C:\Windows\WinSxS\ . Delete all the files with name starting with "pending****.xml" and redeploy the failed patches.

5. If you get the 'Installation failed' message again, even after following the above-mentioned resolution, refer to the following Microsoft document to troubleshoot the issue.