How To 

How to fix damaged or missing installation files for the Windows 10 Anniversary Update

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Damaged or missing installation files for the Windows 10 Anniversary Update aren’t the end of the world. It is fairly straightforward to clean things up and get the update installed. Here’s how.

Fix damaged or missing installation files for the Windows 10 Anniversary Update
First off, let’s try downloading and running Windows update again. If that doesn’t work, we will clean out the downloaded files and start again. If that fails, we can use the media creation tool to initialize a clean install.

1. Perform a backup of any critical data you don’t want to lose.
2. Navigate to Settings, Update & Security and Activation.
3. Click ‘Check for updates’ and allow the process to complete.
4. Perform the update when prompted.

In the vast majority of cases, restarting the update will allow the computer to sort itself out. If it doesn’t, do this:

1. Navigate to ‘C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download’.
2. Delete all of the contents in the folder. You may have to reboot into Safe Mode if you cannot delete it.
3. Reboot your computer.
4. Navigate to Settings, Update & security.
5. Select ‘Check for updates’ and run the process again.

If that doesn’t work, you can use the Microsoft media creation tool to create installation media with the Windows 10 Anniversary Update already included.

1. Navigate to the Microsoft media creation tool website and download the tool.
2. Select 32-bit or 64-bit Windows. It has to be the same as what you have now for it to work.
3. Choose ‘Upgrade this PC’ and select the other options as appropriate.
4. Burn to a DVD or save to USB.
5. Install when you’re ready.

More Windows troubleshooting tips:
How to fix Windows 10 error DPC Watchdog Violation
How to fix Windows 10 Driver Power State Failure error
How to fix Windows 10 error Event ID 41 ‘Kernel-Power’