Why did I get error 0x8004166A?

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 0x8004166A?

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
Expecting QPARSEEEXPECTINGPHRASE define QPARSEEEXPECTINGPAREN false QPARSEEEXPECTINGPROPERTY 0x80041667">0x80041668 0x8004166C 0x8004166B 5738 COMOLE Interface management 0x80041669 0x80041661 Windows 0x80041667 QPARSEENOTYETIMPLEMENTED Reserved property Microsoft QPARSEEEXPECTINGREGEX GitHub QPARSEEUNSUPPORTEDPROPERTYTYPE Code phrase FACILITYITF error 0x004 List hresult 0x8004165C 0x8004165D 0x8004165E 0x80041659 0x8004165A 0x8004165B 0x80041664 0x80041665 0x80041666 0x80041660 0x80041662 0x80041663 Windows10 ver1703 FormatMessage WindowsSDK winerrorh 20170530 WinXP VC2017 Creators Update expression User 27092011 HRESULTS Software Sleuthing 5740 regular type 5739 Unsupported 0x80041658 2147215766 GUID MSDN QueryParsing Values parenthesis mingww64cierrorh closing QPARSEEEXPECTINGINTEGER integer Origin NTSTATUS Failure Flags Severity source 0x166a Description Facility Name HRESULT0x8004166A win32 HRESULT0x80041669 HRESULT0x80041667 HRESULT0x80041667">0x80041668 0x80041656 0x80041657 0x80041655 ErrorCode 0x80041654 mingww64 development Contribute master Alexpuxmingww64 Denemo HRESULT0x80041666 cierrorh creating account