Why did I get error 0x800000EF?

Windows Update continous fails to search for Updates or cannot install them. The source of this problem could be various things as
> Windows Registry
> Windows Filesystem
> Internet access

> Windows Update service
> File corruption
> Misconfiguration
> Adware
> Virus and Malware

How to fix Windows Update error 0x800000EF?

However, if you’re technically savvy, you can try the steps below:

1. Click Start and start typing on your keyboard for "services.msc"

2. In your search results "services.msc" should show up. Open it with a click.
3. A new windows will open containing all Windows services on your system.

4. Search for "Windows Update"
5. Right-click the "Windows Update" and then click Stop.

We will now clean the Windows Update temporary cache folder:
1. Hold your windows-key pressed and hit "R" key simultanous.
2. A small new windows will appear.
3. Type %windir%\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore in this new window and click OK.
4. This will open Windows Explorer on the correct location.
5. Delete all contents of this folder. (Hint: Use Ctrl + A to select all files and folders)

Now we will start the Windows Update Service again:
1. Switch back to the windows Services.
2. Locate Windows Update.
3. Right-click on it and choose Start.


If the problem still persists, you can run the System File Checker (SFC) utility. This handy in-built tool will check your filesystem.
1. Click Start and start typing on your keyboard for "cmd".
2. In your search results cmd should show up with an black icon.
3. Right-click it and select Run as administrator.
4. If you are prompted for the admin password, enter the password and click OK.
5. A new completely black windwos will open. You can type commands directly into this window.
6. Type sfc/scannow and press Enter.
7. This process will take a long time. You can minimize this black windows and work on.
Come back to the black window after a time and check if the process finished.
As soon as the SFC process finished, restart your computer. After the restart you search for Updates again.


You are still facing the same issue?

1. Restart your computer.

Next thing is to clean Windows Update download path. These steps are only for expirienced user! If you mess up your computer with Regedit, you could loose your files! Take care or use a professional tool to investiagte your computer.
1. Hold your windows-key pressed and hit "R" key simultanous.
2. A small new windows will appear.
3. Type regedit in this new windows and hit Enter.
4. In the new windows you have a navigation on the left side. Use it to navigate to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate
5. Once you found it, search for WUServer and WIStatusServer in the right hand pane.
6. If they are not listet we cannot clean the download path. Othwerwise delete both.
7. Restart your computer.

Try to search for new Updates again.
You are still facing this issue? I think this is not an usual problem and your computer should be checked by professional.
Try to look for a solution here or search further in the search box below.



Advanced information

The following Windows verisons are affected by this error:
> Windows Vista
> Windows 7
> Windows 8
> Windows 8.1
> Windows 10
> Windows 10 Redstone 2
> Windows 10 Creators Update
> Windows Server 2008 R2
> Windows Server 2012
> Windows Server 2016
0x00000010 Area 192021 0001 database handleexit 0x800000EE 108010014 char0x800000EF unexpected exitiniinfo Type Cksum NSSA 55000 1119 networking 17102014 002001 mask 2552552550 nested 1459 0x28 0x3339 Archive Mail warnings 29112014 main console Klundert lots virtualisation 0x8000003a exitcode 0x60 Topology 20120605 003954 christos unicodedata320cv Peter Harris NetBSD 0x800000eb NtWriteFileGather NtYieldExecution ObCreateObject NtWriteFile 0x800000ec 0x800000ed xbecfg constant valid rotate Community 39mov r10xab000039 right only guess mean 0x8000007f could even number bits MouseLeft MouseRight MouseMiddle 0xDC LeftWindows 0xDB RightWindows Routing Switching Cisco question 0x800000F0 MouseBtn4 0x800000F1 Input Support Juniper 0000 Documentation show ospf Technical 0x2810 Areaopaque Banshee 0x22 OpaqArea4000 11110 1510 11062008 PointtoPoint LSPs AlcatelLucent InterArea calc bytes char0x7FFFFFFF 0xc193 1003 0x800001dd 0x800001dc 1001 0xb622 1002 assert 1072128200 1648 0x00CA14 0x003286 1072128242 1390 0x80001FC8 narkive 29042013 char0x7FFFFFF1 flag problem LARGEADDRESSAWARE linker