Why did I get error 0x80042040?

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 0x80042040?

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
0x80000000 030504 Error 0x00000000 data dont driven query object permission helpstringError 0x80042050 RDCHETTY microsoftpublicsqlserverdts TechArchivenet DEPLOY ORGDATAENOREADPERMISSION write read found ORGDATAEOBJECTNOTFOUND Arguments 0x00000001 Passing Mitchell Allan Server Christophe Niel Yuan Shao rodatastr14 0x050001a0 105921 fill optdevkitprodevkitPPClibgccpowerpceabi463powerpceabiliblibsysbaseaaborto 0x8004204f 2015 DataTime 10022017 Event Reset ideas Date anonymousatdiscussionsmicrosoftcom SQL2000 Thread 0xc0100000 0x00000514 0xc0044700 0x22000000 0xc0013900 0x02703317 0x80042054 0x80042058 0x8004204c 0x80042048 0x1f000217 0x80042060 0x00020001 0x0000000f 0x0023d6ce 0x8004205c mode only fullscreen screen tears 0x80042044 0x00300002 Forums yeah GeForce GitHub 0x10 vgmoose3DTest 3DTestTicQuestelfmap master rodatacst4 optdevkitprodevkitPPClibgccpowerpceabi463powerpceabiliblibmalibasfldexpo relaxing size before 412002020443 Cant 0x8004206c 0x80042064 0x80042068 KEYSTORAGE ORGDATAENOWRITEPERMISSION 0x80042030 delete ORGDATAECANTDELETEOBJECT