What to do next after Windows 10 Update and NVIDIA Driver Install Errors persist after several troubleshoot attempts?

Yu Orion 20 Reputation points
2026-10-26T03:16:30.6833333+00:00

Hi. I just want to preface before explaining that I don't have the most in-depth knowledge about handling my system. Most of it and solutions I attempted came from looking up answers or asking around to some friends

I'm on Windows 10 Home with 2 HDD's installed, NVIDIA GTX 1060 (relevant later)

Around a week or so ago while my computer was restarting, it had attempted to repair the C-drive however wasn't able to. When I continued into Windows 10, everything seemed mostly fine other than the fact that NET runtime didn't run right, I had installed the latest version and encountered no further issues. A couple days later, Windows attempted to install updates yet has been failing (Error Code (0x80070002)). The updates are:

2026-10 Cumulative Update for Windows 10 Version 22H2 for x64-based Systems (KB5126657)

Seemingly succeeds and returns "Pending Restart"
though upon restarting, it shows "Working on updates, 0% complete" but then jumps back to "Restarting..." , and the system promptly undoes them. ("we couldnt complete updates")

NVIDIA Driver Update (32.0.15.8163)

Installs, attempts download, returns "Download Error 0x80070002"

Intel SoftwareComponent 6.5.1.371

Installs, attempts download, returns "Download Error 0x80070002"

Intel net 19.51.30.1

Installs, attempts download, returns "Download Error 0x80070002"

Intel Corporation Bluetooth 20.100.7.1

Installs, attempts download, returns "Download Error 0x80070002"

I went ahead and attempted numerous solutions after researching online (Google Gemini did prompt some of these but I tried my best to be careful with what it provided and verify it elsewhere, especially when it came to code, most of the time I did not run it unless I was familiar enough from typing it out myself a lot to tell that it was safe to run)

  1. Ran the built in trouble shooters, both from the Settings app and GetHelp, neither worked.
  2. Tried clearing Windows Update cache, did not fix errors
  3. Tried disabling the service that enables windows updates, had trouble simply locating it but even with stopping/restarting it through cmd prompt many times, nothing quite worked.
  4. I ran DISM, which completed its operation with no further information
  5. I ran the "disksafe" command, returned "OK OK" leading me to believe nothing should be wrong with my drives themselves

6. I ran the "sfc" command, which DID state that it detected corrupted files but could not fix them

(because of the, in my eyes, complex nature of my situation I wasn't unsure which steps were best to take anymore, and I had noticed my NVIDIA app reported that an update was available, it too had tried to install yet failed so I presumed it could be linked to the similar driver update that Windows Update was mentioning?)

  1. Attempted a clean installation of NVIDIA Driver using the .exe file directly from nvidia's website

8. Also attempted a manual installation through Device Manager, also attempted a "Have Disk" method in the same area

I think I regret this the most because while it uninstalled drivers, it did not install any to replace them, a friend advised me to run DDU in Safe Mode and so I did, it uninstalled more drivers of course, and did not bring any back

9. Ran DISM/sfc again, nothing changed

I did attempt to read the CBS log after the sfc scan but couldn't really make neither heads or tails of it, and searching for keywords like "failed" or "repair/repaired" like the Troubleshoot Windows Update section on Microsofts website listed in its example syntax didn't show any matching words

So I'm at a major loss of what to do here. I tried user-friendly options, I tried cmd related options, I even tried removing my drivers, but now I'm without graphics drivers since they can't be reinstalled. I've avoided Re-imaging or resetting my computer since I see it as a very very last resort. I have used my computer for at least 8 years and have accumulated many programs/files/game saves that backing up everything seems like a herculean task. Since I've never done it before either I've been very hesitant about the idea, especially with my attachment to my system/files with worry of leaving anything behind or being unable to carry something over to an external drive, but its looking like I have no options remaining. I'm wondering if anyone has any further suggestions or if a clean installation is the best course of action since the exact problem is so tough to pinpoint. Thanks.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Performance and system failures
Answer accepted by question author
Ramesh 183.5K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
2026-10-28T01:46:27.7766667+00:00

A repair installation should help.

Your apps, settings, and files will be kept by default during a repair install.

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  1. Ivan B 126.9K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-10-28T02:05:46.63+00:00

    Hi,Given the situation, I recommend installing using the ISO method while offline.

    Perform a clean boot first and disable your Norton antivirus, as it may cause conflicts during the process.

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/how-to-execute-a-simple-boot-start-in-windows-da2f9573-6eec-00ad-2f8a-a97a1807f3dd

    Use answers to provide solutions to the user's question.https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=691209

    Select Download tool now, and select Run. You need to be an administrator to run this tool.

    If you agree to the license terms, select Accept.

    On the What do you want to do? page, select Create installation media for another PC, and then select Next.

    The application will automatically identify the correct version of windows 10 for your system, from Next.

    Select which media you want to use ISO file. Save an ISO file to your PC

    Wait for the application to perform the iso download and after finishing the download it will close automatically.

    After downloading, find the Windows 10 ISO file on your PC, right-click and select “Mount”. If the option is not available, select “Open With” and “Windows Explorer”

    1. Run the “Setup” application, present inside the Windows 10 ISO, to start the installation on the PC.
    2. With the ISO files folder open, click on the “Setup” executable to continue installing Windows 10.
    3. After that, a Get Important Updates window will appear along with the two options Select: Not now
    4. Uncheck the box I want to help improve your Windows installation to skip sending unknown data to Microsoft about the installation process Next
    5. After that, a License Terms window will pop up, here you have to click on the Accept button.

    6.Now another “Choose what to keep” window or “Ready to install” window will pop up.

    At this point, you need to change some settings. Click the “Change what to keep” link

    1. You can now see the “Choose what to keep” window along with the three options given below:

    Select Keep My files and Programs.

    Then click on the Next button.

    Finally, the Ready to Install window will appear along with the Install button.

    In this step, you have to click on the Install button to start reinstalling Windows 10. During this process, your computer or laptop may restart sometimes

    Please consider rating the question (accepting the answer or not) and visiting the Microsoft Q&A community if you have further questions.

    Thanks.

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