If you’re trying to update Windows, but suddenly you receive an error code 0x80070020 with a message saying that the process cannot access the update file because it’s being used by another process, then you’re at the right place as today we are going to see how to fix the issue.

In short, the updates are not installed because another program is interfering with updates like antivirus or malware scanners. So without wasting any time let’s see how to Fix Windows Update Error 0x80070020 with the help of below-listed troubleshooting guide.

Fix Windows Update Error 0x80070020

Make sure to create a restore point just in case something goes wrong.

Contents

  • Fix Windows Update Error 0x80070020
  • Method 1: Temporarily Disable Antivirus and Firewall
  • Method 2: Run Windows Update Troubleshooter
  • Method 3: Rename SoftwareDistribution Folder
  • Method 4: Restart Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS)
  • Method 5: Run SFC and CHKDSK

Method 1: Temporarily Disable Antivirus and Firewall

Sometimes the Antivirus program can cause an error, and to verify this is not the case here, and you need to disable your antivirus for a limited time so that you can check if the error still appears when the antivirus is off.

  1. Right-click on the Antivirus Program icon from the system tray and select Disable.

2.  Next, select the time frame for which the Antivirus will remain disabled.

Note: Choose the smallest amount of time possible, for example, 15 minutes or 30 minutes.

  1. Once done, again try to connect to open Google Chrome and check if the error resolves or not.

  2. Search for the control panel from the Start Menu search bar and click on it to open the Control Panel.

  3. Next, click on System and Security then click on Windows Firewall.

  4. Now from the left window pane click on Turn Windows Firewall on or off.

7. Select Turn off Windows Firewall and restart your PC.

Again try to open Google Chrome and visit the web page, which was earlier showing an error. If the above method doesn’t work, please follow the same steps to turn on your Firewall again.

Method 2: Run Windows Update Troubleshooter

  1. Open control panel and then search Troubleshooting in the Search Bar on the top right side and click on Troubleshooting.

  2. Next, from the left window, pane select View all.

  3. Then from the Troubleshoot computer problems list select Windows Update.

  4. Follow on-screen instruction and let the Windows Update Troubleshoot run.

  5. Restart your PC, and you may be able to Fix Windows Update Error 0x80070020.

Method 3: Rename SoftwareDistribution Folder

  1. Open Command Prompt. The user can perform this step by searching for ‘cmd’ and then press Enter.

  2. Now type the following commands to stop Windows Update Services and then hit Enter after each one:

net stop wuauserv net stop cryptSvc net stop bits net stop msiserver

  1. Next, type the following command to rename SoftwareDistribution Folder and then hit Enter:

ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old

  1. Finally, type the following command to start Windows Update Services and hit Enter after each one:

net start wuauserv net start cryptSvc net start bits net start msiserver

  1. Reboot your PC to save changes and check if you can Fix Windows Update Error 0x80070020.

Method 4: Restart Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS)

  1. Press Windows Keys + R then type services.msc and hit Enter.

  2. Now find BITS and then double click on it.

  3. Make sure the Startup type is set to Automatic, and the service is running, if not then click on the Start button.

  4. Click Apply, followed by OK.

  5. Reboot your PC and again try to update Windows.

Method 5: Run SFC and CHKDSK

  1. Now type the following in the cmd and hit enter:

Sfc /scannow sfc /scannow /offbootdir=c:\ /offwindir=c:\windows

  1. Wait for the above process to finish and once done restart your PC.

  2. Next, run CHKDSK to Fix File System Errors.

  3. Let the above process complete and again reboot your PC to save changes.

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That’s it you have successfully Fix Windows Update Error 0x80070020 but if you still have any queries regarding this guide then feel free to ask them in the comment’s section.