The message “potential Windows Update Database Error detected” appears while running the Windows Update Troubleshooter. The general reason behind this is that the operating system is unable to access the “C:/Windows” folder.

Now, there are several instances when this message can appear such as while updating the Windows operating system, or if you select the “Repair Windows Update Database Corruption” option.

Further, the error message can crop-up when are any corrupted or damaged registry files. Apart from that incompatible Windows update can also lead to an abrupt error. Thus, you need to opt for effective solutions to get rid of this error.

How Can You Resolve Windows Update Database Corruption In Windows 10?

Here, we have discussed the easy solutions that can fix the issue at the earliest. So, let’s begin.

Fix 1: Refresh the System

Refreshing the system can help you to resolve all Windows related problems. Simply, follow the steps given below:

• At first, press the Start button and open the Settings application. Then, select the General option.
• You will find a feature called “Refresh your PC without affecting your files”. Click on that and select the Get Started option.
• Thereafter, follow the on-screen information to complete the process.

When the process completes, restart the device and check whether the problem gets resolved or not.

Fix 2: Turn Off the Third-Party Software

Sometimes, the problems might be associated with any third-party antivirus software. Therefore, to eliminate all such causes, you should disable the third-party antivirus software. Follow the steps mentioned below:

• At first, open the third-party antivirus software installed on the device.
• Navigate to the Setting option. There you will find the “Disable the Software” option, click on it.
• The software will get disabled. After disabling the software, if the error message lingers behind then you need to seek help from the in-built troubleshooting tools.

Fix 3: Use the SFC Tool

You can fix this issue simply by running the SFC scan. This tool will help you to repair the corrupted system files. Now, to run the SFC tool, follow the steps mentioned below.

Step 1

First of all, press the Windows and R key at the same time to open up the Run dialog box. Now, type ‘cmd’ in the Run dialog box. Right-click on the cmd option and select the ‘Run it as an Administration’.

Step 2

When the Command Prompt box opens as an admin, enter ‘sfc/scannow’ in the box. Hit the Enter button to execute the command. The System File Checker tool will initiate. It will automatically start the scanning process. 

When the process gets completed, close the Command Prompt window and check the status of the error message.

Fix 4: Restart Windows Update Services

If the above solutions are unable to solve the issue, then you should turn off the Windows Update service and rename the affected the directories. Thus, go through the steps mentioned in the following section.

Step 1

To begin with, press the Start button and type ‘cmd’ in the Run dialog box. Now, right-click on the cmd option and select the first option ‘Run as Administrator’.

Step 2

Now, the Command Prompt window will appear. Type the following command in the command box and hit the Enter button to execute them.

Net stop wuauserv, Net stop cryptSvc, Net stop bits, net stop msiserver, Ren C:WindowsSoftwareDistribution, SoftwareDistribution.old, Ren C:WindowsSystem32catroot2 Catroot2.old, Net start wuauserv, Net start cryptSvc, Net start bits, Net start msiserver, Exit

After running the above commands, reboot the device and check whether the problem gets resolved.