1. Pause or Hide the KB5034441 Update
If resizing the recovery partition to meet the installation requirements for the KB5034441 update seems too technical, you can choose to pause or hide the update. This is recommended particularly if you have not enabled BitLocker and do not plan to do so in the near future.
1.1. Pause Windows Updates
1.2. Hide the KB5034441 Update
Periodically check the Resolved Issues page on the Microsoft website and, once the issue is reported as resolved, unhide the update to attempt the installation again.
2. Upgrade the PC’s Windows to Windows 11
Upgrading your PC’s operating system to Windows 11 can fix the issue, as the KB5034441 update only affects Windows 10. Remember to back up all data and create a system restore point prior to upgrading. Follow the instructions in the Upgrade to Windows 11 article to complete this process.
3. Enable the Recovery Partition of the System
The KB5034441 update attempts to address a BitLocker vulnerability within the recovery partition. The update will not install if the system’s recovery partition is not enabled, even if its size exceeds the required 1GB.
4. Use the PowerShell Script to Resize the Recovery Partition
Resizing the recovery partition manually may not be feasible for most users. Instead, a PowerShell script provided by Microsoft can automate this process, which could be advantageous when dealing with multiple computers within a domain. Warning: Proceed with caution. Although the script is provided by Microsoft, it could lead to problems due to differences in your environment. These issues may render the OS drive inoperable or lead to data loss.
5. Manually Increase the Size of the System’s Recovery Partition
If the system’s recovery partition is too small, the KB5034441 update may fail because it is designed to patch a BitLocker vulnerability in that partition. Increasing the partition size manually can solve this problem, but it is a complex task, especially when multiple PCs are involved (for which using the PowerShell method is preferred). Make sure to back up the PC’s data to an external drive before proceeding. Attempt this at your own risk. Manually resizing the system’s recovery partition requires advanced skills. An incorrect procedure could make the OS inoperative or result in data loss. Pay special attention to systems with dual-boot setups (e.g., Windows and Linux). Additionally, create a bootable USB drive of Windows 10 for immediate OS reinstallation if needed.
5.1. Through the DiskPart
If the recovery partition is located before the OS drive and increasing the size does not resolve the issue, consider relocating the partition as described in the How to Move the Recovery Partition on Windows 10 article. If not, the disk is under MBR:
5.2. Use a Bootable USB Drive
If you prefer not to use a third-party application or it fails, a bootable USB can be utilized for resizing. Warning: Undertaking these steps is risky and demands a high level of expertise. Do not attempt them unless you’re confident in your understanding of the procedures involved. If the Recovery Partition is created anew, adhere to the steps outlined in the DISM method.
6. Use the DISM Command
In the absence of a recovery partition, the KB5034441 update remains uninstalled. Creating a recovery partition and populating it with necessary files via the DISM command can rectify this issue. When successful, manual replacement of the files is also an option: Please share your experiences with these solutions in the comments section.
