Windows 11 Insider Preview Feature Update (26220.9022) Stuck Pending Download, Getting a warning that the current version is about to expire

Question

Windows 11 Insider Preview Feature Update (26220.9022) Stuck Pending Download, Getting a warning that the current version is about to expire

Mark Hodgkiss 0

Windows 11 Insider Preview Feature Update (26220.9022) Stuck Pending Download . Have a message saying that the current version is about to expire

Felicity Winter 31 Reputation points

2026-08-05T20:20:59.91+00:00

I tried to update 4 days in a row and every time it gets to a percentage complete - last night was 84% - and then just quits out. Very poor user experience. I'd like the nuclear option presented for exiting this frustrating circus. Do I just reinstall Windows?
Clary-N 16,555 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-08-06T01:25:10.6133333+00:00

Hi Felicity Winter,

I can understand the frustration. Before considering a reinstall, could you check Settings > Windows Update > Update history and let us know if a specific error code is shown for the rollback?

Also, please share your current build by running winver and posting a screenshot. That will help determine whether there are alternatives to a full reinstall and what exit options are available from the Insider Program.
Felicity Winter 31 Reputation points

2026-08-13T07:30:21.3666667+00:00
Thanks @Clary-N however I'm not sure you comprehend the shear frustration of being told to do something before an expiry date, and it not working over and over. I tried a dozen different things and followed suggestions from the multitudes of others having similar issues. In the end I:

Unenroled my machine and left the Insider Program

Downloaded the 25H2 ISO from Microsoft

Updated Windows 11 (Retain files and apps) with get updatees online disabled (the update freezes while looking for updates at 48%).

Restarted multiple times during and after.

Allowed Windows Update to install missing updates

Rejoined Insider

Computer has now tried 3 times to install Windows Insider Preview Feature Update (26220.9022) but has failed. On this 4th attempt the install is at 99% installed but been there a long time.

I'm hopefully optimistic at this point.
Clary-N 16,555 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-08-13T08:29:13.2433333+00:00

Hi Felicity Winter,

I totally understand your concern and thank you for detailing the steps you've taken. Since the current attempt has reached 99%, we'd wait and see if it completes successfully. Hopefully this is the one that finally gets you through.

Please keep me posted on the outcome.
Felicity Winter 31 Reputation points

2026-08-14T01:07:36.3+00:00

@Clary-N success was mine in the end. Back on Beta Insiders with Windows 11 Insider Preview Feature Update (26220.9022) installed.
Clary-N 16,555 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-08-14T08:43:27.2833333+00:00

Hi Felicity Winter,

Thank you for the update. I'm glad to hear you were able to get build 26220.9022 installed successfully and rejoin the Beta Channel.

If you run into any other issues, please feel free to reach out and I'll be happy to help.

2 answers

Your answer

Felicity Winter 31 Reputation points

2026-08-05T20:20:59.91+00:00

I tried to update 4 days in a row and every time it gets to a percentage complete - last night was 84% - and then just quits out. Very poor user experience. I'd like the nuclear option presented for exiting this frustrating circus. Do I just reinstall Windows?
Clary-N 16,555 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-08-06T01:25:10.6133333+00:00

Hi Felicity Winter,

I can understand the frustration. Before considering a reinstall, could you check Settings > Windows Update > Update history and let us know if a specific error code is shown for the rollback?

Also, please share your current build by running winver and posting a screenshot. That will help determine whether there are alternatives to a full reinstall and what exit options are available from the Insider Program.
Felicity Winter 31 Reputation points

2026-08-13T07:30:21.3666667+00:00

Thanks @Clary-N however I'm not sure you comprehend the shear frustration of being told to do something before an expiry date, and it not working over and over. I tried a dozen different things and followed suggestions from the multitudes of others having similar issues. In the end I:

Unenroled my machine and left the Insider Program

Downloaded the 25H2 ISO from Microsoft

Updated Windows 11 (Retain files and apps) with get updatees online disabled (the update freezes while looking for updates at 48%).

Restarted multiple times during and after.

Allowed Windows Update to install missing updates

Rejoined Insider

Computer has now tried 3 times to install Windows Insider Preview Feature Update (26220.9022) but has failed. On this 4th attempt the install is at 99% installed but been there a long time.

I'm hopefully optimistic at this point.
Clary-N 16,555 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-08-13T08:29:13.2433333+00:00

Hi Felicity Winter,

I totally understand your concern and thank you for detailing the steps you've taken. Since the current attempt has reached 99%, we'd wait and see if it completes successfully. Hopefully this is the one that finally gets you through.

Please keep me posted on the outcome.
Felicity Winter 31 Reputation points

2026-08-14T01:07:36.3+00:00

@Clary-N success was mine in the end. Back on Beta Insiders with Windows 11 Insider Preview Feature Update (26220.9022) installed.
Clary-N 16,555 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-08-14T08:43:27.2833333+00:00

Hi Felicity Winter,

Thank you for the update. I'm glad to hear you were able to get build 26220.9022 installed successfully and rejoin the Beta Channel.

If you run into any other issues, please feel free to reach out and I'll be happy to help.

Answer 1

Clary-N 16,555 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hi Mark Hodgkiss,

The message you're seeing is usually related to the Windows Insider flight certificate. Microsoft has indicated that the certificate for older Insider builds expires on August 11, 2026, and Build 26220.9022 includes the renewed certificate needed to continue receiving future Insider updates: Windows 11 Insider Beta Preview Build 26220.9022

Since the update is currently stuck at Pending Download, I'd suggest trying the following:

Run the Windows Update troubleshooter

Open Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
Locate Windows Update and select Run.
Allow the troubleshooter to complete and apply any recommended fixes.
Restart your PC if prompted, then return to Settings > Windows Update and select Check for updates.

Reset the Windows Update components

Open Command Prompt (Admin).

Run the following commands one at a time:

  net stop bits
  net stop wuauserv
  ren %systemroot%\softwaredistribution softwaredistribution.bak
  ren %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 catroot2.bak
  net start bits
  net start wuauserv

Restart your PC after the commands complete.
Open Settings > Windows Update and check whether the update begins downloading normally.

Could you also share a screenshot of Settings > Windows Update showing the update status? If any error messages or codes appear during the download process, please include those as well.

I look forward to your update.

If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".

Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

Mark Hodgkiss 0 Reputation points

2026-08-05T11:42:58.5766667+00:00

I eventually got the update to download. But it will not install. In windows update it installed then restarts the update continues but once it gets to 4% it comes up with Undoing Changes and rolls back to previous built which is about to expire
Clary-N 16,555 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-08-06T01:22:08.38+00:00
Hi Mark Hodgkiss,

Thank you for the update. Since the download completed successfully but the installation rolls back at 4% during the restart phase, this suggests the issue may be occurring during the offline installation process.

Could you check Settings > Windows Update > Update history and let me know if a specific error code is shown for the failed installation? A screenshot would be helpful as well.

In the meantime, I'd also suggest:

Disconnecting any non-essential USB devices (external drives, docks, printers, etc.) before attempting the update again.

Temporarily disabling any third-party antivirus or security software, if installed. *Disclaimer: Temporarily turn off antivirus protection. However, keep in mind that if you do so, your device may be vulnerable to threats. So please turn it on immediately once issue fixed.

Running the following commands from an elevated Command Prompt to check for system corruption:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth sfc /scannow

After both commands complete, restart your PC and try the update again.

If the installation continues to roll back, please share:

The exact error code from Update History (if available).

A screenshot of the Windows Update page after the failure.

With that information, I can suggest more targeted troubleshooting steps.
Clary-N 16,555 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-08-07T09:21:51.7+00:00

Hi Mark Hodgkiss,

Have you had a chance to check my answer yet?

Please do keep me updated.
Mark Hodgkiss 0 Reputation points

2026-08-07T09:53:11.35+00:00

Hi Clary-N

Thank you , I had version 26220.8764 Installed and 26220.9022 was offered by Windows update. It would get to 4% after the initial install was completed. I tried

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

sfc /scannow

but still had the same issue. I managed to get the update to install by manually installing 26220.8328 using an iso then Windows Update successfully installed 26600.9022. So it was a bit of a faff to get it to install but finally it did. And to be honest the PC is now running a lot better so im happy .
Deleted

This comment has been deleted due to a violation of our Code of Conduct. The comment was manually reported or identified through automated detection before action was taken. Please refer to our Code of Conduct for more information.
Clary-N 16,555 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-08-13T07:04:18.4466667+00:00

Hi Mark Hodgkiss,

Thanks for the update. I'm glad you were able to get the update installed in the end.

It sounds like DISM and SFC didn't resolve the issue, but manually upgrading to build 26220.8328 via ISO allowed Windows Update to successfully install 26220.9022 afterward. It's great to hear the PC is now running much better as well.

Thank you for sharing the solution. It may help others who run into a similar update problem.

Best regards.

Answer 2

CrazyKats 19,920 Volunteer Moderator

Please before you try any reinstall or

repair file Feedback in the Feedback

Hub.

That is the only way that the engineers get

the diagnostics to solve the issues.

0 comments