Windows Update Error 0x8007010b, ERROR_DIRECTORY, The directory name is invalid can occur in Windows 10, if the Update mechanism has become corrupted. The error means that Windows Update is trying to access a directory, but since it does not exists or the name is not valid, it throws an error. In this post, we will share how you can get this error and update the system.
Windows Update Error 0x8007010b
If you face this issue, here are the things you need to try:
- Run DISM
- Run Windows Update Troubleshooter
- Download and manually install the update
- Reset the Windows Update Components.
You will need admin permission to apply any of these fixes.
1] Run DISM
DISM or Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) is a command-line tool that is used to fix corrupt system files using an existing Windows Image. It can be used to stall, uninstall, configure, and update Windows features, packages, drivers, and more.
Open Command Prompt or PowerShell with Admin permission, and execute the command with options such as /ScanHealth, /CheckHealth and /RestoreHealth
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Execute the command one after the other, and give it enough time to complete. The last switch will make sure to fix any corruption related to system files such as the invalid directory and fix it.
2] Run Windows Update Troubleshooter
Windows offers built-in troubleshooter that can fix typical Windows Update issues without you worrying much about it. Errors like these should be resolvable
- Open Windows Settings (WIN + I)
- Navigate to Update and Security > Troubleshoot
- Locate Windows Update troubleshoot, and click on it
- Click on the Run the Troubleshooter
Once the Wizard finishes fixing, try updating the Windows 10 again, and check if the error doesn’t occur anymore.
3] Download and manually install the update
If you are not able to update that particular update manually, you can always download it from the Microsoft website and install it. Microsoft offers a Download Center for all the updates where you can search for that particular update and then download it. Once downloaded, you can install it just like any other software on Windows. You can also use Microsoft Update Catalog and WSUS Offline Update to update offline.
4] Reset the Windows Update cache
Windows Update is built of many components. It includes Background Intelligent Transfer, Windows Update Service, Cryptographic Services, and Application Identify Service. If any of the components are not working, the update may result in issues like this. It would be a good idea to reset these Windows Update Components – so do refer to this guide for full details.
Here is the summary of all the steps you need to take:
- Stop Windows Update Component Services
- Delete the qmgr*.dat files.
- Rename the SoftwareDistribution and catroot2 folders
- Reset the BITS service and the Windows Update service to the default security descriptor.
- Re-register the BITS files and the Windows Update related DLL files.
- Delete incorrect Registry values
- Reset Winsock.
I hope the steps were easy to follow, and you were able to Fix Windows Update Error 0x8007010b.
