The meaning of this error depends on when it occurs.
If it happens during the update download, it indicates “This operation returned because the timeout period expired.”If the error occurs during the update installation, it instead means “The System Cannot Find the File Specified” (ERROR_FILE_NOT_FOUND). In this case, the update file may have been altered or corrupted, preventing Windows from applying the update.
When this happens, updates cannot be installed on your system. Since many updates contain important security patches and bug fixes, resolving this problem is essential. Fortunately, there are several proven solutions you can try. Because not every method works for every user, you may need to go through more than one. If the first fix does not help, move on to the next.
1. Manually Download the Update
If Windows Update fails, check the update number of the failed attempt. Go to the Microsoft Update Catalog and download the update directly. After downloading, open your Downloads folder, double-click the file, and install it. Once installed, restart your computer. This method is particularly useful for large updates such as the Anniversary Update.
2. Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter
The built-in Windows Update troubleshooter is effective for this particular error and has resolved it for many users.
3. Delete the SoftwareDistribution Folder
The SoftwareDistribution folder stores temporary update files, which often become corrupted and cause update failures. Deleting it forces Windows to rebuild fresh update files.
4. Disable Updates for Other Microsoft Products
Sometimes, updates for other Microsoft products interfere with critical Windows updates. Temporarily disabling this setting can help.
