Error 0x80070015 for Windows Update, Microsoft Store, Windows Defender

Windows error 0x80070015 can occur if the operation has not been initialized correctly. This is usually an internal programming error, and there is nothing much that an end-user can do. Nevertheless, since this error is seen when running Windows Update, Windows Defender or Microsoft Store, or during Windows installation, we suggest that you undertake the following operations.

Fix error 0x80070015 on Windows 11/10

Before you begin, Restart the computer and try again and see if that helps. If not, then proceed with the respective fixes for Microsoft Store, Windows Update, or Windows Defender :

• Windows Updates.
  • Run Windows Update Troubleshooter.
  • Manually reset Windows Update components.
• Microsoft Store.
  • Kill the processes related to PowerISO.
  • Reregister Microsoft Store apps
  • Reset the Microsoft Store.
• Windows Defender.
  • Remove any third-party antivirus installed.

1] Windows Updates

[i] Run Windows Update troubleshooter

Use the Windows Update Troubleshooter or Microsoft’s Online Windows Update Troubleshooter to detect and fix any conflicts for Windows Updates automatically.

[ii] Manually reset Windows Update files & folders

You need to delete the contents of the SoftwareDistribution folder & reset the Catroot2 folder to fix your issues. They contain some temporary system files that are responsible for applying updates to a computer. They include data that support Windows Updates as well as installers for new components.

You may also reset Windows Update components and the Windows Update Agent manually.

2] Microsoft Store

[i] Kill the processes related to PowerISO

Open the Windows Task Manager. Select More details.

Look for each process for the PowerISO software.

Right-click on it and select End process tree.

[ii] Reregister Microsoft Store apps

Run the following command in an elevated PowerShell window to reregister Microsoft Store apps:

powershell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register $Env:SystemRoot\WinStore\AppxManifest.xml

Restart your PC and check.

[iii] Reset the Microsoft Store

Reset the Microsoft Store by using the wsreset command. Make sure to execute this on PowerShell or Command Prompt as an Administrator. If not that, you could reset the Microsoft Store app from the Settings app.

3] Windows Defender

[i] Removal of any third party antivirus installed

You can try to uninstall AVG Antivirus or any other third-party antivirus installed on your computer. This is because these installations of third-party antivirus can often interrupt the scanning process for Windows Defender. The most famous culprits, in this case, are the antiviruses by Norton and McAfee.

Let us know if this helped.

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