How to fix Windows Update error 0x8024500c

What is error 0x8024500c

Some users happen to face the 0x8024500c error, which prevents the successful installation of new updates. Such errors have been quite a common occurrence over the entire Windows existence. The reasons why they occur often come from corruptions in system files, misconfigured settings, bugged update services, incompatibilities of third-party security software, and even malware infection in rarer cases. Identifying the root of the problem and finding the right solution may be impossible to do immediately. This is why it is important to try each solution until one of them fixes the issue. Here are our top seven methods that will help you deal with the error 0x8024500c.

1. Run Windows Update Troubleshooter

Running the in-built update troubleshooter should be the first point of departure whenever it comes to resolving update-related issues. Although this method is rarely enough to resolve the issue for many users, there are nevertheless exceptions when the error gets resolved immediately. Follow the steps below to use the troubleshooter and possibly fix the issue:

1. Open Settings from the bottom taskbar.
2. Choose System on the left and go to Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters on the right pane.
3. Then, find Windows Update and click Run next to it.
4. Finish the process following the on-screen instructions and restart your PC.

After this, try to perform the update again. If this does not work, go further below to try other solutions.

2. Disable third-party antivirus

Third-party anti-malware software can sometimes disrupt certain system processes (like updating) and cause them to fail. For this exact reason it is recommended to try disabling your antivirus and see if it fixes the issue. If turning off the antivirus gets the job done, then the culprit is found. If you are looking for an alternative and less conflicting antivirus, try MalwareBytes. This company holds a high plank in delivering end-to-end system protection against constantly expanding databases of threats. It is now available for Windows 11 as well. You can download it now using the link below and try a 14-day trial of the ultimate antimalware experience for free.

Malwarebytes main window

Malwarebytes settings

Malwarebytes scan results

3. Check integrity of the system files

As mentioned, corruption is one of the leading causes of making errors like 0x8024500c surface while updating. Therefore, we advise you to check the integrity of system files by using SFC (System File Checker) and DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) scanning utilities. Make sure to use both utilities as they may have a different impact on solving the problem. This is how:

Using SFC

1. Open Command Prompt by typing cmd into the searching loop next to the Start Menu button.
2. Right-click on Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator.
3. Once the console is opened, type the sfc /scannow command and click Enter.
4. When the fixing process is done, restart your computer.

Using DISM

1. Open Command Prompt as we did in the previous step.
2. Copy and paste this command DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth.
3. Click Enter and wait until Windows ends the scanning and fixing.
4. Once done, restart your PC.

Once both of these scans are performed, attempt to install the same update again.

4. Reset Windows Update components

Resetting Windows Update settings may help as well. Statistically, this method has proven itself quite effective when handling a vast range of update problems. The whole procedure involves restarting BITS, Cryptographic, MSI Installer, and Windows Update services as well as renaming some update folders (SoftwareDistribution and Catroot2). These folders contain temporary files necessary for implementing Windows Updates. Based on this, we will force Windows to delete corrupted elements and create update-related components from scratch. Although the entire procedure may seem advanced and complicated, it will not require too much of your time and knowledge. Just follow the steps below:

1. Open Command Prompt by typing cmd into the searching box next to the Start Menu button.
2. Right-click on Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator.
3. Copy-paste this list of commands one by one clicking Enter after each. (This action will disable services responsible for Windows Updates)

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

4. Then, we have to rename the above-mentioned folders. Simply paste these commands by clicking Enter after each.

ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 Catroot2.old

5. Finally, all left to do is to turn the disabled services back. So apply these commands likewise we did previously.

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

6. Now we are all done with it. Go to the Windows Update center and try to perform the installation again.

5. Download a conflicting update from Microsoft Catalog

Another way users can bypass the error and install the update eventually is to download and manually install a separate update file directly from Microsoft Catalog. To do this, simply go through the steps written below:

1. Open Settings from the bottom taskbar.
2. Then go to Windows Update on the left pane.
3. On the right side of the window, choose Update history.
4. After this, find and note the most recent update (usually starts with “KB” and is on top of the list).
5. You can also find this out by noting the name of the failing update (in case it displays).
6. Once done, search and download the noted update from the Microsoft Update Catalog.
7. Execute the download file and follow the on-screen instructions to install the update.

6. Use Media Creation Tool

If no method above marked the issue as resolved, then you can also try to install the problematic update via Media Creation Tool. Apart from simply allowing to reinstall Windows, it also acts as an alternative tool for obtaining the latest available updates. We are going to use the latter feature of this tool. Follow the instructions below:

1. At first, you have to download the utility from the Microsoft website.
2. Then, execute the downloaded file.
3. After agreeing with the Terms of use, there will be two options to choose from. Select Upgrade this PC now.
4. Choose to Keep Personal Files to ensure they will be untouched.
5. Finally, launch the process and wait until it ends.
6. Hopefully, this method helped you combat the 0x8024500c error.

7. Skip over the update

If you do not mind missing this update, you can use an official Microsoft utility called “Show or hide updates”. It allows users to prevent some problematic or simply unnecessary updates from showing up again. Although it is no longer available on the official Microsoft website, you can still download it using this direct link and follow the steps below:

1. After downloading the tool, open it up.
2. Go to Advanced and select Apply repairs automatically.
3. Then, click Next and wait until your system finishes collecting information about updates. This might take some time.
4. Once another window appears, choose Hide updates.
5. The utility will therefore show you a list of available updates that can be hidden. Choose the one you are unable to install and click Next to finish.

After doing these steps, the problematic update will no longer appear. This utility is really helpful, and it is unclear why Microsoft decided to remove it from their official download page. If you ever need to make the hidden update visible again, you can do this as well using the same utility again.

Summary

Error 0x8024500c is simply another among many other update-related issues that strike users each day. Luckily, such problems are quite easy to solve with a versatile and effective set of solution approaches. We hope the error is no longer a point of dismay and you successfully managed to install the problematic update eventually.