To resolve this problem, use the inbox Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool. Then, install the Windows update or service pack again.
  1. Open an elevated command prompt. To do this, swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and then tap Search. Or, if you are using a mouse, point to the lower-right corner of the screen, and then click Search. Type Command Prompt in the Search box, right-click Command Prompt, and then click Run as administrator. If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password, or click Allow.
  2. Type the following command, and then press Enter.
    It may take several minutes for the command operation to be completed.
    DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
    Important When you run this command, DISM uses Windows Update to provide the files that are required to fix corruptions. However, if your Windows Update client is already broken, use a running Windows installation as the repair source, or use a Windows side-by-side folder from a network share or from a removable media, such as the Windows DVD, as the source of the files. To do this, run the following command instead:
    DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:C:\RepairSource\Windows /LimitAccess
    Note Replace the C:\RepairSource\Windows placeholder with the location of your repair source. For more information about using the DISM tool to repair Windows, reference Repair a Windows Image.
  3. Close the command prompt, and then run Windows Update again.
DISM creates a log file (%windir%/Logs/CBS/CBS.log) that captures any issues that the tool found or fixed. %windir% is the folder in which Windows is installed. For example, the %windir% folder is C:\Windows.

Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008 R2 or Windows Server 2008

To resolve this problem, use the System Update Readiness tool. Then, install the Windows update or service pack again.
  1. Download the System Update Readiness tool.
    Click the download link in the following table that corresponds to the version of Windows that is running on your computer.
    Find out if your computer is running the 32 or 64-bit version of Windows

    This tool is updated regularly, we recommend that you always download the latest version.

    Operating systemDownload link
    x86-based (32-bit) versions of Windows 7 SP1 and Windows 7
    Download
    Download
    x64-based (64-bit) versions of Windows 7 SP1 and Windows 7
    Download
    Download
    x64-based (64-bit) versions of Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1
    Download
    Download
    Itanium-based versions of Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1
    Download
    Download
    x86-based (32-bit) versions of Windows Vista SP2 and Windows Vista SP1
    Download
    Download
    x64-based (64-bit) versions of Windows Vista SP2 and Windows Vista SP1
    Download
    Download
    x86-based (32-bit)versions of Windows Server 2008 SP2
    Download
    Download
    x64-based (64-bit) versions of Windows Server 2008 SP2
    Download
    Download
    Itanium-based versions of Windows Server 2008 SP2
    Download
    Download
  2. Install and run the tool.
    1. Click Download on the Download Center webpage, then do one of the following:
      • To install the tool immediately, click Open or Run, and then follow the instructions on your screen.
      • To install the tool later, click Save, and then download the installation file to your computer. When you're ready to install the tool, double-click the file.
    2. In the Windows Update Standalone Installer dialog box, click Yes.

      confirm
    3. When the tool is being installed, it automatically runs. Although it typically takes less than 15 minutes to run, it might take much longer on some computers. Even if the progress bar seems to stop, the scan is still running, so don't click Cancel.

      install
    4. When you see Installation complete, click Close.

      close
    5. Reinstall the update or service pack you were trying to install previously.