Why did I get error 0x80000268?

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 0x80000268?

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
0x00000000 0x00000010 Data 0x80000260 0x0000ffff Output written 0x80000258-0x80000260-Understanding">0x80000264 0x80000258 0x80000000-0x80000268-0x80000270-0x80000274">0x80000278 CortxA8 0x80000008 VMware 0x80000000 0x80000004 0x8000027c 0x80000274 0x801c2c03 0x80000270 Time 0x8000026c 9499ns OffsetToData 9299ns 9399ns 0x80000288 2011 9599ns Standard Central wangjohnmitcourses GitHub master mitcourseslab6checkoffjsim Characteristics IMAGERESOURCEDIRECTORY 9199ns 06022011 0x15068 20130106T061158699Z cpu14941ScsiDeviceIO 4941 world 2316 CmdSN from Cmd0x41240080e9c0 0x1a Page 170131 0x8000028C 9699ns Communities ESXi Current Discussion List 0x14EEC 0x8000024C 0x80000250 0x80000244 0x80000248 0x80000254 0x0000003b AM335x 0x8000025C 0x0000003a JSIM Windows Toms Slow system Hardware 0x00a0010a 0x80164095 10122010 0x0140002a 0x80000263 0x80000269 christos 0x80000192 PEFileInfo 0x14EE8 Name 4af6611b41fe78624e630724a0ea2fd1 25052012 003954 when reading Abort Exception address unicodedata320cv 20120605 21032014 NetBSD