How to Fix Error Code 0x80070490 on Windows 11 [Easy Steps]

Though you shouldn’t normally come across any, many have reported encountering update errors. And with the option to upgrade to the latest iteration available via Windows Update, the error code 0x80070490 while installing Windows 11 can cause some trouble.

Unlike most update errors, this wouldn’t just prevent you from installing the latest version but basically upgrading to the latest iteration, i.e, Windows 11.

Though the error code 0x80070490 can also be encountered while installing apps in Windows 11, or even when running them, this guide will particularly focus on the update Windows 10 to 11 error 0x80070490 part.

Why do I see the error code 0x80070490 while installing Windows 11?

As is the case with other similar errors, this too can be caused by corrupt system files, third-party antiviruses preventing the upgrade, or a minor bug with the OS.

Other than that, it could also have to do with corrupt Windows Update Components, since these are critical for installing updates, and issues with them can lead to 0x80070490 error code while installing Windows 11.

Whatever the underlying cause in your case, the methods listed below should eliminate the error. Just follow them in the listed sequence for quick troubleshooting.

How can I fix the error code 0x80070490 when upgrading to Windows 11?

1. Use a dedicated repair tool

While you could go around manually troubleshooting the error, there is a simpler and quicker alternative, use a dedicated repair tool.

These tools scan for malware infection and after removing it, repair the damage caused by the malware. In case you are missing critical DLL files and unable to run a program then can automatically replace them.

Be it any issue with the PC, these tools are your full-time companion and will get you the best system performance coupled with the least errors.

2. Restart the PC

1. Go to the desktop, press Alt + F4 to launch the Shut Down Windows box and select Restart from the dropdown menu.
2. Next, click on OK at the bottom to restart the computer.

Most windows update errors including error code 0x80070490 when installing Windows 11 can be fixed with a simple restart. If it’s a minor bug, restarting the computer would reboot the OS and eliminate it right away.

2. Run Windows Update troubleshooter

1. Press Windows + I to launch the Settings app, and click on Update & Security from the various options listed here.
2. Next, select Troubleshoot from the tabs listed in the navigation pane on the left.
3. Click on the Additional troubleshooters option on the right.
4. Now, select the Windows Update entry here, and then click on the Run the troubleshooter button that appears under it.

Most errors can be simply fixed by running a dedicated built-in troubleshooter, be it with the OS or an external device. In this case, the Windows Update troubleshooter should come to your rescue.

If you still encounter the error code 0x80070490 while upgrading to Windows 11, head to the next method.

3. Verify that the critical services are running

1. Press Windows + R to launch the Run command, enter services.msc in the text field, and either click OK or hit Enter to launch the Services app.
2. Now, locate the Background Intelligent Transfer Service, right-click on it and select Properties from the context menu.
3. Click on the Startup type dropdown menu, and select Automatic from the list options.
4. Next, verify if the Service status says Running. In case it doesn’t click on the Start button and then on OK to save the changes.
5. Repeat the same process with Cryptographic and Windows Update services.

After you are done making the changes, restart the computer for these to come into effect, and check if the error code 0x80070490 encountered while installing Windows 11 is fixed.

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4. Perform DISM and SFC scan

1. Press Windows + R to launch the Run command, type cmd in the text field, press and hold Ctrl + Shift, and then either click OK or hit Enter to launch an elevated Command Prompt.
2. Click Yes in the UAC (User Account Control) prompt that appears.
3. Once here, paste the following command and hit Enter to run the DISM tool.DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
4. Now, execute the following command to perform a SFC scan.sfc /scannow
5. After running the two, restart the computer.

The DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) tool looks for issues with the Windows Image and if required, makes changes to the Windows installation files to fix the error.

The SFC (System File Checker) scan is used to identify corrupt system files and if any are found, these are replaced with their cached copy stored on the system.

Once the two scans are run and the computer restarted, check if you still encounter the error code 0x80070490 while installing the Windows 11 update.

5. Uninstall third-party antivirus

1. Press Windows + I to launch Settings, and select Apps from the options listed here.
2. Now, locate the third-party antivirus from the list on the right, select it, and then click on Uninstall.
3. Again, click Uninstall in the confirmation prompt that pops up.

Certain third-party antiviruses are known to block updates and might lead to the error code 0x80070490 when upgrading to Windows 11. If you have any of these installed, remove them and then try to install the Windows 11 update.

6. Reset Windows Update Components

1. Press Windows + R to launch the Run command, enter cmd in the designated text field, hold the Ctrl + Shift keys, and then click on OK at the bottom.
2. Click Yes in the UAC prompt that appears.
3. Now, paste the following two commands and hit Enter to stop the BITS and Windows Update service.net stop bits net stop wuauserv
4. Execute the following command to delete the qmgr*.dat files.Del “%ALLUSERSPROFILE%Application DataMicrosoftNetworkDownloaderqmgr*.dat”
5. If this is the first attempt at resetting, you skip these three commands. However, if you tried it before, execute these three to rename some critical folders.Ren %Systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore DataStore.bak Ren %Systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution\Download Download.bak Ren %Systemroot%\System32\catroot2 catroot2.bak
6. The next step is to reset BITS and Windows Update service, execute the following commands for that.sc.exe sdset bits D:(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;SY)(A;;CCDCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRSDRCWDWO;;;BA)(A;;CCLCSWLOCRRC;;;AU)(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;PU) sc.exe sdset wuauserv D:(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;SY)(A;;CCDCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRSDRCWDWO;;;BA)(A;;CCLCSWLOCRRC;;;AU)(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;PU)
7. Now, paste this and hit Enter.cd /d %windir%\system32
8. Next, execute the following commands individually to reregister some critical files.

regsvr32.exe atl.dll
regsvr32.exe urlmon.dll
regsvr32.exe mshtml.dll
regsvr32.exe shdocvw.dll
regsvr32.exe browseui.dll
regsvr32.exe jscript.dll
regsvr32.exe vbscript.dll
regsvr32.exe scrrun.dll
regsvr32.exe msxml.dll
regsvr32.exe msxml3.dll
regsvr32.exe msxml6.dll
regsvr32.exe actxprxy.dll
regsvr32.exe softpub.dll
regsvr32.exe wintrust.dll
regsvr32.exe dssenh.dll
regsvr32.exe rsaenh.dll
regsvr32.exe gpkcsp.dll
regsvr32.exe sccbase.dll
regsvr32.exe slbcsp.dll
regsvr32.exe cryptdlg.dll
regsvr32.exe oleaut32.dll
regsvr32.exe ole32.dll
regsvr32.exe shell32.dll
regsvr32.exe initpki.dll
regsvr32.exe wuapi.dll
regsvr32.exe wuaueng.dll
regsvr32.exe wuaueng1.dll
regsvr32.exe wucltui.dll
regsvr32.exe wups.dll
regsvr32.exe wups2.dll
regsvr32.exe wuweb.dll
regsvr32.exe qmgr.dll
regsvr32.exe qmgrprxy.dll
regsvr32.exe wucltux.dll
regsvr32.exe muweb.dll
regsvr32.exe wuwebv.dll

10. The penultimate step is to reset Winsock and executing the following command would do it.netsh winsock reset

11. Now, all you have to do is restart the BITS and Windows Update service that you stopped earlier. Execute the following commands for that.net start bits net start wuauserv

Issues with the Windows Update Components can often lead to the 0x80070490 error code when installing the update for Windows 11. Resetting the components should fix the problem.

If this method too doesn’t work, try the next one.

7. Manually install Windows 11

The last option with you, and one that should work for all, is to manually install the latest iteration. Here too, there are a couple of ways to make the upgrade. The simplest one is to upgrade to Windows 11 using the installation assistant.

Another option is to create a bootable USB drive for Windows 11 and then install the OS. You can also use the bootable USB to perform advanced troubleshooting in Windows 11, in case it doesn’t boot.

No matter what lead to the 0x80070490 error code while installing the Windows 11 update, you can always make the upgrade with the methods listed here.

Also, find out how to fix the 0x800f0989 error code, another error that is encountered when upgrading to Windows 11 from the previous iteration through Windows Update.

Tell us which fix worked and your first impression of Windows 11, in the comments section below.