Microsoft lately released a new optional Update KB5016688 on their Windows 10 20H2, 21H2 and 21H1 versions. Though this update fixes several issues and brings new improvements. One of the key improvements enclose in this update is quality improvements to the servicing stack, the component that installs Windows updates. But few users pointed out that they are not able to install the KB5016688 Update on their system and they are worried about it.
If you are also facing difficulty in installing the same update on your system, then you can follow this article. Here we have listed some quick and reliable solutions to install Update KB5016688 on your Windows 10 with ease. Then let’s have a look.
Fix 1: Run Update Troubleshooter
The first attempt to install Update KB5016688 on your Windows 10 smoothly is running the Windows Update troubleshooter. To do so,
- Open Settings menu->Update & Security->Troubleshooter->Additional troubleshooter link.
- Select Windows Update-> click on Run the troubleshooter button and retry to install the update.
Fix 2: Remove DataStore Files
If the Update KB5016688 fails to install on your Windows 10, you should remove the DataStore files. Then you can install the update without any issues. To do so,
- Open Services window->right-click on Windows Update->click on Stop from sub-menu.
- Then open RUN dialog box (By pressing Windows + R)-> type %windir%\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore -> click OK.
- From the newly opened folder choose all contents and click on the Delete button.
- Once done, you can download and install the update easily.
Fix 3: Delete SoftwareDistribution Folder Files
In some cases, deleting the SoftwareDistribution folder will help you to install Update KB5016688 on your Windows 10. To do so,
- Open Services window->right-click on Windows Update->click on Stop from sub-menu.
- Then open Windows Explorer->select C:\ Windows folder-> expand SoftwareDistribution folder-> select all content-> click on Delete button.
- Once done, you can download and install the update without any trouble.
Fix 4: Install Update Assistant
Sometimes, simply installing the Windows 10 Installation Assistant will allow you to complete the Update KB5016688 installation process. To do so,
- Open Windows 10 Update Assistant webpage-> click on the Update now under the Update Assistant section.
- Once done, you can download and install the update on your system.
Fix 5: Install Windows Media Creation
In most cases, simply installing the Windows 10 Media Creation tool will let you install Update KB5016688 smoothly on your system. To do so,
- Open the Windows 10 Media Creation webpage-> click on the Download tool now button under Create Windows 10 Installation Media tool section.
- Once done, you can install the discussed update on your system.
Fix 6: Remove External Components
If an external hard disk, USB drive or other components are connected to your system during the new update installation process, it may interfere badly with the installation. Therefore, before installing Windows new updates, you need to remove all external components from the system and then try to install the updates.
Fix 7: Reset Windows Update Component
Sometimes resetting the Windows Update Component will help you to escape from the Update KB5016688 Not Installing on Windows 10 issue. To do so,
- Open Command Prompt window (type “cmd” in the search box)-> type or paste the following commands on the screen and press Enter,
SC config trustedinstaller start=auto
net stop bits
net stop wuauserv
net stop msiserver
net stop cryptsvc
net stop appidsvc
Ren %Systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
Ren %Systemroot%\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old
regsvr32.exe /s atl.dll
regsvr32.exe /s urlmon.dl
regsvr32.exe /s mshtml.dll
netsh winsock reset
netsh winsock reset proxy
rundll32.exe pnpclean.dll,RunDLL_PnpClean /DRIVERS /MAXCLEAN
dism /Online /Cleanup-image /ScanHealth
dism /Online /Cleanup-image /CheckHealth
dism /Online /Cleanup-image /RestoreHealth
dism /Online /Cleanup-image /StartComponentCleanup
Sfc /ScanNow
net start bits
net start wuauserv
net start msiserver
net start cryptsvc
net start appidsvc
- Once you executed all the above commands, restart the system and retry to install the new update.
Fix 8: Use Microsoft Update Catalog
You can manually install the KB5016688 update on your system with the help of the Microsoft Update Catalog page. To do so,
- Open the Microsoft Update Catalog webpage-> type “KB5016688” in the search box-> Download the appropriate file for your system.
- Once done, install the file and you have successfully installed the new update manually.
Fix 9: Free Up Drive Space
In case your system does not have enough space to download the latest Windows update, you need to create some space to install the update. You can delete unnecessary files from your system and try again to install the update successfully.
These are the steps to install Update KB5016688 on your Windows 10 without any trouble. If you have any concerns related to the information given above, then you can list your doubts in the command box below.