One of the most common errors that Microsoft Windows shows you is error code 0x80070002. Regardless of the situation in which the error occurs, most of the time it is triggered by a Windows update. Therefore, it is often difficult for inexperienced Windows 10 users to fix the error. However, in our tutorial, we show you how to do it.
Check date and time
This may sound trivial, but it is often enough to correct the date setting. If the time and date of the operating system do not match that of the firmware, Windows may show you this error code or cause problems with Windows Update.
To rule out this source of error 0x80070002, press the WINDOWS+S key combination and enter “Control Panel” in the search bar. In this window, click on “Time and Region” and then on “Set Date and Time”. A new window opens with the option “Change Date and Time”, the small icon on the button shows you that you need administrator rights for this setting. We have a tutorial that shows you how to activate your administrator account.
Now you can set the correct time and date and confirm with “Ok”. You should now be able to install Windows Update.
Delete faulty update files
Sometimes Windows Update files are corrupted or installed incorrectly. In this case, you can try uninstalling the latest Windows 10 update.
To do this, open the start menu either by clicking on the Windows symbol at the bottom left or by pressing the WINDOWS key. Here you look for the folder “Windows Administrative Tools” and then “Services”.
A window opens with a list in which you right-click on “Windows Update” and select “Stop” in the drop-down menu. Next, open your File Explorer and navigate to the “C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore” folder. In this folder, delete all contained files and subfolders. Do the same in the “C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download” folder.
Now you can go back to the Services window and right-click Windows Update again. This time select “Start” from the drop down menu and Windows will attempt to update again.
In most cases, error 0x80070002 should now be resolved. If not, you can try to set the right partition as active.
Your primary partition is not active
If after reinstalling the Windows update your computer is still showing you the error code 0x80070002, it may be that the wrong partition is set as active.
To do this, go back to the “Windows Administrative Tools” folder in the Start menu. Here you right-click on the menu item “Computer Management” and in the drop down menu you go to “More” and “Run as administrator”.
On the left side of the window that opens, click on “Disk Management” and then on the right side, right-click on the entry “(C:)”. Now you select the option “Mark partition as active.” After that, you can close the window and run the Windows update again.
Solve the Windows error 0x80070002 with the troubleshooter
Search for “Troubleshooting Settings” using the WINDOWS+S key combination. Here you will find the “Windows Update” option with the “Run the troubleshooter” button.
This will automatically check for a problem with Windows Update and give you instructions if there is one.
Quick guide: correct the date and time
1. Open the “Time and Region” menu in the Control Panel
2. Set the correct time and date under “Set date and time”.
Quick Guide: Delete Windows Update files
1. Open “Services” from the “Windows Administrative Tools” folder in the Start menu.
2. Stop the Windows Update service by right-clicking on “Windows Update” and selecting “Stop”.
3. Go to File Explorer, and then delete all files and subfolders in the folders “C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore” and “C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download”.
4. In the “Services” window, start the Windows Update service again by right-clicking on “Windows Update” and selecting “Start”.
Quick Guide: Make Primary Partition Active
1. In the “Windows Administrative Tools” folder in the Start menu, right-click on “Computer Management” and select “Run as administrator”.
2. Set the partition where you have installed your operating system (usually C:) as active.
3. Reinstall the latest Windows update.
