Error 0x80070424 maps to Windows error 1060, meaning that a requested service is not installed, so check whether the Windows Update service exists before attempting the Nitro Pro 14 installation again.^1^
1. Check the required Windows services
- Press Windows key + R, enter
services.msc, and press Enter.
- Look for:
- Windows Update
- Background Intelligent Transfer Service
- Cryptographic Services
- Windows Installer
- If each service exists but is stopped, right-click it and select Start. If it is already running, select Restart.
- Restart the PC and retry Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates.
If Windows Update is absent from the Services list, do not download registry files or service-repair utilities from unofficial sites. Continue to the Windows repair steps below. A missing Windows Update service has been reported specifically with 0x80070424.^2^
2. Run the Windows Update troubleshooter
- Windows 11: Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters > Windows Update > Run
- Windows 10: Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters > Windows Update > Run the troubleshooter
Restart when it finishes, then check for updates again.^3^
3. Repair Windows components
Open Command Prompt as administrator, run these commands in this order, and allow each to finish:
DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
sfc /scannow
DISM repairs the Windows image; SFC then verifies and repairs protected system files. Restart afterward and run Windows Update again.^4^
If DISM fails, record its complete error and check %windir%\Logs\CBS\CBS.log. Do not use an arbitrary install.wim: a DISM repair source must match the installed Windows version.
4. If the service exists but updates still fail
Clear the update cache:
- Open
services.msc.
- Stop Windows Update.
- Open
C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution.
- Delete its contents—not the
SoftwareDistribution folder itself.
- Return to Services and start Windows Update.
- Restart and check for updates.^5^
Skip this procedure if Windows Update is missing, because the required service cannot be stopped or restarted.
5. Non-destructive repair fallback for Windows 11
If Windows Update remains broken or its service is missing:
- Back up important files.
- Open Settings > System > Recovery.
- Under Fix problems using Windows Update, select Reinstall now.
- Keep the PC connected to power and the internet, complete the repair, and restart.
This reinstalls the current Windows version while preserving applications, files, and settings.^6^
That option can be unavailable on managed work/school PCs or older Windows 11 releases. If unavailable, use official Windows installation media, run setup.exe from inside Windows, and select Change what to keep > Keep personal files and apps. Verify that selection carefully; a clean installation removes applications and files.^7^
6. Install and launch Nitro Pro 14
After Windows Update works:
- Restart Windows.
- Close Microsoft Office applications.
- Use the official Nitro Pro 14 Windows MSI installer and accept the default settings for a single PC.^8^
- If Nitro is already listed under Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features, right-click it and choose Repair if that option is available.^9^
- Launch Nitro again. If only Nitro now fails, capture the exact new message because
0x80070424 can be returned outside Windows Update and its runtime context determines which service was requested.^10^
References
- System Error Codes (1000-1299)
- Windows Update Service Missing – Error 0x80070424
- Windows Update Troubleshooter - Microsoft Support
- Fix Windows Update corruptions and installation failures
- Troubleshoot problems updating Windows | Microsoft Support
- Fix issues by reinstalling the current version of Windows | Microsoft Support
- Reinstall Windows with the installation media | Microsoft Support
- Nitro PDF Pro (for Windows) Installation Guide
- [Windows 11](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/apps/repair-apps-and-programs-in-windows#summary)
- Debug system error codes