Error 0x80070005 when you try to install updates by using Microsoft Update or Windows Update

Article ID: 968003 - View products that this article applies to.
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Summary

When you try to install updates by using Microsoft Update or Windows Update, you may receive error 0x80070005. You may receive this error if you don't have the appropriate permissions to install a particular update.

Resolution

To resolve this issue, use one of the following methods. If the first method doesn't resolve the error, go to the next method.

Windows 8

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Method 1: Log on as an administrator
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Some updates require administrative permissions to be installed. Therefore, signing in as an administrator may help resolve the issue.

To sign in as an administrator, you have to have a user account that has administrator permissions on the computer. To make sure of this, go to the following Microsoft website, and then follow the steps that apply to your situation:
How do I know I'm signed in as an administrator?
After you are signed in as an administrator, try to install the updates again.

If this does not resolve this issue, go to method 2.
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Method 2: Scan for malware
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This issue can also be caused by a malware infection. In this case, run Windows Defender. If malware is preventing Defender from functioning correctly, download and run Microsoft Safety Scanner. To do this, follow these steps:
  1. Go to the following website:
    Microsoft Safety Scanner
  2. Click Download Now.
  3. If you are prompted, click Run.
  4. Follow the instructions to download and install Safety Scanner. When you are prompted, add a shortcut to Safety Scanner to your desktop.
  5. From your desktop, double-click the Safety Scanner icon. When the program starts, click Scan Type, click Full Scan, and then click Next.
  6. After the scan is complete, remove all detected malware entries, and then try to install the updates again.
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Windows 7 and Windows Vista

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Method 1: Log on as an administrator
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Some updates require administrative permissions to be installed. Therefore, logging on as an administrator may help resolve the issue.

To log on as an administrator, you have to have a user account that has administrator permissions on the computer. To make sure of this, click the following link to view the article on the Microsoft website, and then follow the steps for your scenario:
How do I log on as an administrator?
After you are logged on as an administrator, try to install the updates again.

If this does not resolve this issue, go to method 2.

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Method 2: Scan for malware
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This error can also be caused by a malware infection. Open your antivirus software, and run a scan to detect and remove any malware. If you don't have an antivirus program on your computer, you can use Microsoft Safety Scanner. To download and run Microsoft Safety Scanner, follow these steps:
  1. Go to the following Microsoft Safety Scanner:
    Microsoft Safety Scanner
  2. Click Download Now.
  3. If you are prompted, click Run.
  4. Follow the instructions to download and install Safety Scanner. When you are prompted, add a shortcut to Safety Scanner to your desktop.
  5. From your desktop, double-click the Safety Scanner icon. When Safety Scanner starts, click Scan Type, click Full Scan, and then click Next.
  6. After the scan is complete, remove all detected malware entries, and then try to install the updates again.
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More Information

For more information about Windows Update, go to the following Microsoft website:
Windows Update
For more information about administrator accounts, go to the following Microsoft website:
What is an administrator account?
For more information about malware prevention and elimination, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
129972 How to prevent and remove viruses and other malware

Properties

Article ID: 968003 - Last Review: February 26, 2013 - Revision: 7.2
Applies to
  • Microsoft Update
  • Microsoft Windows Update
  • Windows Vista Business
  • Windows Vista Enterprise
  • Windows Vista Home Basic
  • Windows Vista Home Premium
  • Windows Vista Starter
  • Windows Vista Ultimate
  • Windows 7 Enterprise
  • Windows 7 Home Basic
  • Windows 7 Home Premium
  • Windows 7 Professional
  • Windows 7 Starter
  • Windows 7 Ultimate
  • Windows 8
  • Windows 8 Pro
  • Windows 8 Enterprise
Keywords: 
kbrapidpub kbnomt KB968003

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