Windows Error Code 0xc1900208: Fix It With Effective Workarounds

While attempting to upgrade to Windows 10, many Windows users have come across the Windows error code 0xc1900208. This error means that there is possibly an incompatible program installed on your device that prevents the upgrade from taking place. Of course, the antivirus programs have been quite problematic for recent Windows builds. However, no matter what program triggering this Windows 10 upgrade issue as it will make you completely helpless while upgrading your Windows Operating System and shows you an unknown error code.

If you are getting stuck with this similar situation and want to get rid of this issue quickly, then no need to worry. This post contains different solutions to get rid of this issue. Therefore, you can easily deal with this error without taking any professional help.

Common Indications of Error Code 0xc1900208

  • A dialog box will pop-up with a Windows 10 error code 0xc1900208
  • When error code 0xc1900208 appears, you’re unable to finish the Windows 10 upgrade process.
  • The system runs sluggishly and responds very slowly to the mouse and keyboard,
  • Certain applications won’t open.
  • Windows error code 0xc1900208 randomly crashes with the active program window.

These are the most common indications that most of the uses encounter. Therefore, if you also find the same issue, then you will surely meet one of these indications on your Windows device.

Causes Why Error Code 0xc1900208 Occurs?

There can be several reasons for which error code 0xc1900208 occurs. But, here, in this section, we have mentioned only the prominent reasons.

According to our survey, the foremost cause of error code 0xc1900208 is a non-compatible software. If you have recently installed an application which is not completely compatible with your Windows 10 devices, then you might face Microsoft error 0xc1900208. Besides, outdated device drivers are another potential cause for this issue. Apart from these, if you running any outdated application, then such kind of error code 0xc1900208 can appear. Although these are the most common reasons behind this Windows error code. But, there can be some other reasons as well. However, whatever be the causes, resolving such error always be a great deal for the users. So, without wasting more time, let us move on to the troubleshooting section.

How to Fix Error Code 0xc1900208 in No Time?

Here, in this section of the post, we have provided many troubleshooting hacks that will help you to eradicate the Microsoft error 0xc1900208. You must follow those hacks in the exact series that we have mentioned.

Solution @1: Run Windows Update Troubleshooter

Whenever you find error code 0xc1900208, the first thing that you should do is to run the Windows Update troubleshooter. This is an in-built tool and it can diagnose the Windows update issues and resolve them. Hence, to run this tool, you require to carry out the steps below:

  • Primarily, you have to press the Windows Home key and enter “Troubleshooter” in the Run dialog box.
  • Now, from the top search result, choose Troubleshoot option.
  • After that, a pop-up window will come up. Thus, you need to click on the Windows Update button.
  • Next, choose the Run the Troubleshooter.
  • Now, a permission box will ask you to choose the Yes button.
  • This process will run the Windows Update Troubleshooter.
  • Next, hit the Apply this Fix button.

Now, the Windows Update troubleshooter will attempt to resolve al the internal bugs and glitches including error code 0xc1900208. Therefore, you can reboot your device and try to install the Windows Update once again. If you still face the same issue, then you have to move on to the next solution.

Solution @2: Restart the Windows Update Services

When you get stuck with the error code 0xc1900208, you can make sure that there is something wrong with the Window update services. So, in that case, it is recommended you to restart the Windows update services. You can follow this solution by carrying out the following steps:

At first, you can press and hold the Windows Home key + R key simultaneously on your keyboard. This process will launch the Run dialog box. Now, in the Run dialog box, write “services.msc” and hit the Enter button or choose the OK button. This action will open the Services window. In the services window, you require to click on the Windows update and then, hit the Stop button if you see the current status is “Running.” After performing these actions, if the services are not stopped, then you have to press the Windows logo key + E key altogether on your keyboard. This will open the File Explorer. Now, you need to type the following command in the address bar and then hit the Enter key in order to navigate to the DataStore folder.

C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore

Next, from the DataStore folder, delete all the files and then press the Windows Home key + E key simultaneously on your keyboard in order to launch the File Explorer. After this process, navigate to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download and press the Enter button in order to initiate the Download folder. From the Download folder, delete all the files. Now, try to install the Windows update again.

Solution @3: Use DISM Tool

DISM tool is another integrated tool which can be usually used to spread Windows images. This often fixes several glitches with various aspects of Windows update and it also can help you to resolve such kind of Microsoft error code. But, while running this tool, you require to be careful. If you make anything wrong, then it can cause severe issues and even damage your system permanently. Hence, you have to e careful using it.

  • In the primary step, you need to go to the Search box and write “cmd”, then hit the Enter key or choose the OK button. Now, you require to click on the top search result list to open it. Alternatively, you can also press and hold the Windows Home key + X key in order to launch the Menu list. Then, choose the Comand prompt(Admin).
  • Once the Command Prompt window opens, enter the following command lines in the Command prompt: Command 1- Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth, Command 2- Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth, and Command 3- Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth. After entering each command, hit the Enter key.
  • When it is done, restart your device. Once your device restarts, try to run the Windows update and see it should resolve the issue that you have faced.

Note-

When you run “Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth” command, the DISM tool will scan your device and all the system files. It also compares them to the official system files. This will check whether the system file is consistent with its official source or not.

Once you perform the Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth” command, the DISM tool will scan your system to see whether your Windows images are corrupted or not. But, this command doesn’t repair the corrupted files.

When you run “Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth” the DISM tool will start repairing the corrupted files. This will also replace the corrupted files with the official source online.

Solution @4: Perform System File Checker (SFC)

After using the DISM tool, if the issue still persists, then you might require to perform the System File Checker (SFC). This is another utility tool that can locate and fix the Windows update related issues on your device. To do so, follow the steps mentioned in the section below:

  • Primarily, you need to open the Command Prompt with administrator privileges in your Windows PC. To do this process, you have to press the Windows Home key and then, enter “cmd” in the Command Prompt. Now, hit the Enter key, and in the list of results, you will notice the Command prompt, tap on it and choose the Run As Administrator option. Here, you might be asked for permission, just hit the OK button in order to run the Command Prompt.
  • Here, in the Command Prompt, type “sfc/scannow’ and hit the Enter button. Once this operation gets finished, close the Command Prompt and restart your device. Check if the issue gets resolved or not.

In case,  if you are still unable to install the Windows updates, then you can proceed to the next solution.

Solution @5: Eliminate Culprit Programs

Security programs and utilities like CheckpointVPN, Glyph are known to have barred the users from installing the Windows updates. In that case, we recommend you to remove the culprit applications from your device.

Step 1: Firstly, press and hold the Windows Home key + E key to launch the Windows Explorer, then in the address bar, type C:\Windows\Panther, hit the Enter key or click on OK button. Then, in the Panther folder, locate the Compat*.xml file with the latest time stamp. Thereafter, with a text editor, launch it and locate the incompatible application. You will find that incompatible application in the File. Now, take a note of it and move on to the next step.

Step 2:  Now, you have to press the Ctrl+R key to initiate the Command Prompt. Now, enter “appwiz.cpl“ and press the Enter key or select the OK button. Here, in the program window, you can search for the incompatible program that is installed on your device. Once you find it, simply click on it and follow the on-screen directions to uninstall that problematic application from your device.

Step 3: In the last step, restart your device and try to perform the Windows update in order to check if the problem has been fixed.

Solution @6: Update Device Drivers

Over time, outdated device drivers also can responsible for such kind of Windows update error code. Therefore, updating device drivers can be the answer to this issue. To do so, follow the steps below:

At first, click on the Start menu. Then, locate the Device Manager. You can tap on the top result in order to launch the experience. Now, you require to expand the category with the hardware you need to update. Furthermore, click on the device and choose Update Driver option. After that, locate the “Search Automatically For Updated Driver Software” button. Once you locate this option, simply right-click on it. If updates are available, then hit the Install Updated button in order to download the latest device drivers. Once you are done, restart your device and check whether the issue has been fixed or not.

Solution @7: Reset the Windows Update Components

After following the above solutions, if the device still continues to display the Microsoft error code 0xc1900208, then you can try out this solution. This will definitely help you to overcome from this situation. To do that, you have to launch an elevated command prompted by tapping the Start menu, then enter “cmd” in the search bar and start it with administrator privileges.

Now, in the elevated command prompt, enter the below-mentioned command lines in order to stop the Windows update linked services:

  • net stop bits
  • net stop wuauserv
  • net stop appidsvc
  • net stop cryptsvc

After that, you require to rename the softwareDistribution backup copies. You can do this by tying the applying commands in the Command Prompt:

  • ren %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.bak
  • ren %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 catroot2.bak

Now, using the following commands, you can restart the services you stopped:

  • net start bits
  • net start wuauserv
  • net start appidsvc
  • net start cryptsvc

Once you perform these commands, simply restart your device. Hopefully, now, you can successfully install the Windows updates.

Ending Notes:

We presume the post might have been able to tell you which methods you should consider resorting to if you want to get rid of the sticky tech issue. Apply them and make a difference in the situation you are in. If you need to read about related topics, please stay tuned to our posts.