Windows 11’s troubleshooting experience has changed over time, and Microsoft has been retiring older inbox troubleshooters. Start with the current Get Help/Windows Update support flow rather than relying on an old msdt shortcut.
Quick answer
Windows 11: Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters, then select Run next to Windows Update. Windows 10: Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters > Windows Update > Run the troubleshooter. On newer builds, both open the Get Help app, which runs the same checks.
What the troubleshooter checks
- Whether the Windows Update and Background Intelligent Transfer (BITS) services are running
- Pending restarts that block new updates
- Damaged update download cache
- Network settings that stop Windows reaching the update servers
It fixes what it can automatically and lists anything it couldn’t fix.
- Open Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters and check for the Windows Update option on your build.
- If Windows directs you to Get Help, follow the Windows Update troubleshooting flow there.
- Restart the PC and check Windows Update again after the troubleshooter completes.
- If updates still fail, record the exact error code and review update history.
- Use Microsoft’s documented repair steps for that error rather than running random reset scripts.
Old MSDT instructions can be obsolete
Microsoft has deprecated the Microsoft Support Diagnostic Tool and has moved troubleshooters toward Get Help. Menu availability varies with Windows release.
Basic checks first
Confirm date/time, Internet connectivity, free disk space, and a normal restart before performing servicing repairs.
DISM and SFC
For signs of Windows component corruption, Microsoft’s supported DISM and System File Checker procedures can be appropriate after basic troubleshooting.
Do not delete update folders casually
Guides that indiscriminately remove SoftwareDistribution, services, or registry entries can create new problems. Use current Microsoft procedures when update components need to be reset.
Common Windows Update error codes
| Error | Usual meaning | Try |
|---|---|---|
| 0x80070070 | Not enough disk space | Free up space with Settings > System > Storage, then retry |
| 0x800f0922 | Couldn’t reach the update servers, or the System Reserved partition is too small | Disconnect any VPN, check the connection, retry |
| 0x80070002 | Update files are missing or damaged | Run the troubleshooter, restart, retry |
| 0x8024402c | A proxy or firewall is blocking the connection | Check proxy settings in Settings > Network & internet > Proxy |
Find the code in Settings > Windows Update > Update history, next to the failed update.
If the troubleshooter doesn’t fix it
- Restart the PC twice; some updates need more than one restart to finish.
- Make sure you have at least 20 GB free on the system drive for feature updates.
- Run
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth, thensfc /scannow, in an administrator Command Prompt. See running an SFC scan. - Pause updates for a week, then resume them in Settings > Windows Update; this often clears a stuck download.
- If a recent update caused problems, you can roll back a Windows 11 update.
Frequently asked questions
Is the msdt command still supported?
No. Microsoft deprecated the old MSDT troubleshooters, and current Windows 11 builds send you to Get Help instead.
Does the troubleshooter delete my files?
No. It only resets update components and settings.
How long does it take?
Usually a few minutes. Restart afterward and check for updates again.
Kermit Matthews runs Live2Tech from just outside Philadelphia. He started on a university help desk, spent years as the IT person for small businesses, and has been writing tech guides full time since 2020. Each guide is checked on a device he owns, and re-checked when a menu moves. More about Kermit.