WSL Update Error Code 0x80070661: (SOLVED)

Error code 0x80070661 is a system error that occurs when a user tries to update their Windows mostly when installing Windows Subsystem Update for Linux as reported by numerous users (specifically when Installing WSL Update 5.10.93.2).

Benhillis (WSL Developer) confirmed that this error is caused by the filter that offers correct processor architecture, it was accidently removed from this specific version of WSL.

To understand this error code, we have to look into Microsoft’s error code directory and match the last digit hex code (0x661). Here are all the details you might want to know:

This error code indicates that the update version that you are trying to install is not compatible with the platform (OS architecture) you are attempting to install it on. It’s common for Microsoft to push and deploy Windows update that are incompatible with your system.

Now that we know everything important about this error, let’s go about fixing it. Here are the solutions we are going to perform:

• Fix 1. Install latest release from GitHub (Suggested by WSL Developer)
• Fix 2. Download & Install Correct Version of Update (Recommended by Microsoft)
• Fix 3. Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter (Recommended by Microsoft)
• Fix 4. Reset Windows Update Components (Fixes most update problems)

Fix 1. Install latest release from GitHub

To fix this issue, you simply have to download and install the latest version of the WSL update from official GitHub of WSL. Follow these steps:

1. Go to github.com/microsoft/WSL/releases
2. Expand the ‘Assets’ tab
3. Now click the .msixbundle file and it should start downloading
   
4. Once the file is downloaded, simply double-click on it and follow on-screen instructions to install the WSL

Fix 2. Download & Install Correct Version of Update

The catalog provides information about the supported operating systems and architectures for each update. This helps you ensure that you’re downloading and installing the correct version for your system. Follow these instructions to do so:

1. Figure out the update causing the error code. There should be an update version along with the error code.
   
2. As you can see in the picture above, it says “Windows Subsystem for Linux Update – 5.10.93.2“
3. Now that we have the exact version of update, we can download the correct version from Microsoft’s update catalog.
4. Go to catalog.update.microsoft.com
5. In the search bar, enter the exact version of the update. Like this:
   Note: If a newer version of update is available in the catalog, try installing newer version instead of what Windows update is suggesting. That’s because newer updates tends to be more stable.
6. Now simply download the update and double-click the downloaded file to install the update.

Fix 3. Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter

Windows update troubleshooter is designed to fix common Windows update problems and is an official tool provided by Microsoft. It’s important to run the Windows update troubleshooter when receiving this error. It will automatically detect the error and rectify it. Follow these steps to run the Windows update troubleshooter:

1. Press the Win + I button together to open Windows Settings App
2. Go to Update & Security > Additional Troubleshooters > Windows Update
3. Now press ‘Run the troubleshooter’ button
   
4. Let the troubleshooter detect the problem and follow on-screen instructions to resolve the error.

Fix 4. Reset Windows Update Components

Windows Update system relies on following system services and components:

• Windows Update Service (wuauserv)
• Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS)
• Cryptographic Services (CryptSvc)
• Windows Module Installer (TrustedInstaller)
• Windows Update Client (wuauclt.exe)
• Windows Update Agent (WUA)

If these components are not working as intended then Windows will fail to install or download the update. To make sure all the components are services are working properly. We have to reset their configurations to optimized defaults. Follow these steps to do so:

1. Press Win + X keys together and click on “Command Prompt (Admin)” button.
2. Now execute these commands one-by-one:

   net stop bits
   net stop wuauserv
   net stop appidsvc
   net stop cryptsvc
   taskkill /im wuauclt.exe /f
   del /s /q /f "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\Microsoft\Network\Downloader\qmgr*.dat"
   del /s /q /f "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Microsoft\Network\Downloader\qmgr*.dat"
   del /s /q /f "%SYSTEMROOT%\winsxs\pending.xml.bak"
   rmdir /s /q "%SYSTEMROOT%\SoftwareDistribution.bak"
   rmdir /s /q "%SYSTEMROOT%\system32\Catroot2.bak"
   del /s /q /f "%SYSTEMROOT%\WindowsUpdate.log.bak"
   takeown /f "%SYSTEMROOT%\winsxs\pending.xml"
   attrib -r -s -h /s /d "%SYSTEMROOT%\winsxs\pending.xml"
   ren "%SYSTEMROOT%\winsxs\pending.xml" pending.xml.bak
   attrib -r -s -h /s /d "%SYSTEMROOT%\SoftwareDistribution"
   ren "%SYSTEMROOT%\SoftwareDistribution" SoftwareDistribution.bak
   attrib -r -s -h /s /d "%SYSTEMROOT%\system32\Catroot2"
   ren "%SYSTEMROOT%\system32\Catroot2" Catroot2.bak
   attrib -r -s -h /s /d "%SYSTEMROOT%\WindowsUpdate.log"
   ren "%SYSTEMROOT%\WindowsUpdate.log" WindowsUpdate.log.bak
   sc.exe sdset wuauserv D:(A;CI;CCLCSWRPLORC;;;AU)(A;;CCDCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRSDRCWDWO;;;BA)(A;;CCDCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRSDRCWDWO;;;SY)S:(AU;FA;CCDCLCSWRPWPDTLOSDRCWDWO;;;WD)
   sc.exe sdset bits D:(A;CI;CCDCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRSDRCWDWO;;;SY)(A;;CCDCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRSDRCWDWO;;;BA)(A;;CCLCSWLOCRRC;;;IU)(A;;CCLCSWLOCRRC;;;SU)S:(AU;SAFA;WDWO;;;BA)
   sc.exe sdset cryptsvc D:(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;SY)(A;;CCDCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRSDRCWDWO;;;BA)(A;;CCLCSWLOCRRC;;;IU)(A;;CCLCSWLOCRRC;;;SU)(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;SO)(A;;CCLCSWLORC;;;AC)(A;;CCLCSWLORC;;;S-1-15-3-1024-3203351429-2120443784-2872670797-1918958302-2829055647-4275794519-765664414-2751773334)
   sc.exe sdset trustedinstaller D:(A;CI;CCDCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRSDRCWDWO;;;SY)(A;;CCDCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;BA)(A;;CCLCSWLOCRRC;;;IU)(A;;CCLCSWLOCRRC;;;SU)S:(AU;SAFA;WDWO;;;BA)
   cd /d %SYSTEMROOT%\system32
   regsvr32.exe /s atl.dll
   regsvr32.exe /s urlmon.dll
   regsvr32.exe /s mshtml.dll
   regsvr32.exe /s shdocvw.dll
   regsvr32.exe /s browseui.dll
   regsvr32.exe /s jscript.dll
   regsvr32.exe /s vbscript.dll
   regsvr32.exe /s scrrun.dll
   regsvr32.exe /s msxml.dll
   regsvr32.exe /s msxml3.dll
   regsvr32.exe /s msxml6.dll
   regsvr32.exe /s actxprxy.dll
   regsvr32.exe /s softpub.dll
   regsvr32.exe /s wintrust.dll
   regsvr32.exe /s dssenh.dll
   regsvr32.exe /s rsaenh.dll
   regsvr32.exe /s gpkcsp.dll
   regsvr32.exe /s sccbase.dll
   regsvr32.exe /s slbcsp.dll
   regsvr32.exe /s cryptdlg.dll
   regsvr32.exe /s oleaut32.dll
   regsvr32.exe /s ole32.dll
   regsvr32.exe /s shell32.dll
   regsvr32.exe /s initpki.dll
   regsvr32.exe /s wuapi.dll
   regsvr32.exe /s wuaueng.dll
   regsvr32.exe /s wuaueng1.dll
   regsvr32.exe /s wucltui.dll
   regsvr32.exe /s wups.dll
   regsvr32.exe /s wups2.dll
   regsvr32.exe /s wuweb.dll
   regsvr32.exe /s qmgr.dll
   regsvr32.exe /s qmgrprxy.dll
   regsvr32.exe /s wucltux.dll
   regsvr32.exe /s muweb.dll
   regsvr32.exe /s wuwebv.dll
   netsh winsock reset
   proxycfg.exe -d
   sc.exe config wuauserv start= auto
   sc.exe config bits start= delayed-auto
   sc.exe config cryptsvc start= auto
   sc.exe config TrustedInstaller start= demand
   sc.exe config DcomLaunch start= auto
   net start bits
   net start wuauserv
   net start appidsvc
   net start cryptsvc
   net start DcomLaunch
   del /s /f /q "%TEMP%\*.*"
   del /s /f /q "%SYSTEMROOT%\Temp\*.*"

   Note: If this seems hectic, you can simply download the batch Command Prompt file from (here) and run it as an administrator.

3. Once applied, simply restart your computer and try installing the update again.

If you are still facing this problem even after installing the correct version of update. It’s advised to simply skip that update and wait for Microsoft to push a stable update. Force-installing an update that’s not meant to be installed on your system can cause many problems ranging from minor bugs to software not working at all.

However, if you still want to force-install the update. you can do so by following these steps: (here)

That’s it! this should resolve the error and allow you to install the update.

Still need help?

If you are still facing the problem, you can contact Microsoft Support to get your issue resolved. Go to their contact us page here (support.microsoft.com). 

Important Resources:

Users facing the same problem:

• Windows Update Error Code: 0x80070661 (Thread at answers.microsoft.com)
• Windows Update Failing with 0x80070661 for Windows Subsystem for Linux Update (Thread at answers.microsoft.com)
• This installation package is not supported by this processor type. Contact your product vendor (Thread at answers.microsoft.com)
• Failed to install update 5.10.93.2 – (Issue opened at GitHub.com)

More details about the error:

• Error Code 0x80070661 – HResult.info (Meaning & Origin)