Microsoft has recently released the KB501661 Preview cumulative update for Windows 11. It has 22 improvements or fixes. This new update is referred to as the C release and doesn’t address any security fixes but it is an additional cumulative release and so it is marked as “optional”. You can install this new update on your Windows 11 to fix any unforeseen issues. But unfortunately, many users are not able to install or download KB501661 on their Windows. If you are facing the same issue, here is what you need to do to fix the problem.
Fix Windows 11 KB5016691 Update Not Installing or Downloading
There are multiple reasons why you are having issues downloading or installing the KB5016691 update on Windows 11. However, there are a few workarounds you can try to overcome this issue.
1. Run Update Troubleshooter
The first solution is to run an update troubleshooter on your Windows 11. To do this:
1. Go to Start Menu >> Click on Settings >> System >> Troubleshooter option
2. Next, select “Other troubleshooters” >> Select Windows Update >> Click on the “Run” button
3. Once it is done, restart your PC and then you can easily download and install the KB501661 update on your Windows 11.
2. Use Microsoft Update Catalog
1. Copy this link – https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Home.aspx
2. Open this link in your browser and it will take you to the Microsoft Update windows.
3. There on the left side search box – Type KB501661 and click on “Search”
4. According to your system, download the file
5. Once downloaded, double-click on it to install the update on your system. Now, your Windows 11 should be up-to-date.
3. Restart Windows Update and Background intelligent transfer service
In the next method, you need to restart Windows Update and Background intelligent transfer service. Follow these steps:
1. Go to the Windows search box, type service, and click on “Services”.
2. Now find the Windows update in the list and double-click on it.
3. Set the “Automatic” in Startup type
4. Click on Apply, then click on Start, and then click on Ok
5. Next, make sure to just select the “Windows update” and click on “Restart the service” which you will see on the left top panel.
6. Once it is done, find the background intelligent transfer service and follow the same steps above.
7. After completing both of these steps, make sure to restart the system, and then the issue should be resolved.
4. Use Windows 11 Installation Assistant
1. Copy the link – https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Home.aspx.
2. Paste it in your browser and it will take you to the Microsoft official website.
3. There you will see the “Windows 11 Installation Assistant”. Click on “Download Now”.
4. Once done, click on the .exe file.
5. On the Install Windows 11 screen, click on “Accept and Install”.
6. Once done, restart your system and then you will be able to download and install the KB5016691 update on your Windows 11.
5. Reset Windows Update Components
If the above solutions don’t work, your next solution is to reset Windows update components. Check out these simple steps to follow:
1. Copy all the following commands:
SC config trustedinstaller start=auto
net stop bits
net stop wuauserv
net stop msiserver
net stop cryptsvc
net stop appidsvc
Ren %Systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
Ren %Systemroot%\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old
regsvr32.exe /s atl.dll
regsvr32.exe /s urlmon.dll
regsvr32.exe /s mshtml.dll
netsh winsock reset
netsh winsock reset proxy
rundll32.exe pnpclean.dll,RunDLL_PnpClean /DRIVERS /MAXCLEAN
dism /Online /Cleanup-image /ScanHealth
dism /Online /Cleanup-image /CheckHealth
dism /Online /Cleanup-image /RestoreHealth
dism /Online /Cleanup-image /StartComponentCleanup
Sfc /ScanNow
net start bits
net start wuauserv
net start msiserver
net start cryptsvc
net start appidsvc
2. Paste all these commands in the new notepad file and click on “Save As” and give the file name as “Wufix.bat”, set its location on “Desktop”, set “Save as type” as “All files” and click on “Save”.
3. Go to Desktop and right-click on the “Wufix.bat” file.
4. Click on “Run as administrator”.
5. Click on Yes to allow.
6. Now the scan will be started and it will take a few minutes to complete.
7. Once done, restart your computer and check if you can download and install the KB5016691 update on your Windows 11.
6. Use Media Creation Tool
If nothing works, your last resort is to use a media creation tool.
1. Go to this website – https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows11
2. Download the media creation tool
3. Once downloaded, run the .exe file
4. Click on “Yes” to allow
5. Click on “Accept” and then click on “Next” to start the process
6. Select “ISO file” and click on “Next”
7. You can save it on the Desktop and click on “Save”
8. Once done, go to your Desktop and double-click on it
9. Run the setup file by double-click on it
10. Click on Yes to allow
11. It will start downloading new updates
That’s all for this guide on how to fix Windows 11 KB5016691 update not installing or downloading.
I tried the method Reset Windows Update Components and it took approx 16 hours to complete. The PC was running all night. The Update still failed after all that. Maybe you should write something about why it doesn’t install. What is blocking it? Does MS even have a clue as to why it doesn’t work
That’s quite odd, it should not take that long