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. AI answer

    2026-10-26T03:17:35.1466667+00:00

    Back up irreplaceable data, run a full file-system repair on C:, and then perform an in-place repair installation of Windows 10 with Keep personal files and apps; a clean installation is not yet necessary.

    1. Back up before making further repairs

    The earlier automatic C: repair failure matters. A drive-status command returning “OK” does not replace a file-system check, and it does not guarantee that all files are readable.

    Copy essential data to an external drive before proceeding:

    • Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Pictures, Videos, and Music.
    • Browser bookmarks and any locally stored passwords.
    • Game saves, including saves under Documents and hidden locations such as %AppData%.
    • Project files, installers, license keys, and application-specific data.
    • Anything important stored on the second HDD.

    File History can back up libraries to an external drive through Control Panel → System and Security → Save backup copies of your files with File History → Turn on.^1^ However, manually copy unusual game-save and application-data locations as well.

    2. Run the appropriate C: drive check

    Open Command Prompt as administrator, enter:

    chkdsk C: /f

    If prompted to schedule the check at the next restart, type Y, press Enter, and restart. Microsoft documents chkdsk /f C: as the command that repairs file-system errors and requires a restart when C: is in use.^2^

    • If CHKDSK completes without reporting unrecoverable errors, continue below.
    • If it reports bad sectors, unreadable data, or repeatedly cannot complete, stop update and driver work. Preserve the backup and have the HDD tested or replaced before reinstalling Windows.

    3. Perform an in-place repair installation

    Since the troubleshooters, update-cache reset, DISM, SFC, NVIDIA installer, Device Manager, and DDU paths have already failed, do not repeat them now. An in-place repair installation replaces Windows system components while preserving installed desktop applications, files, and settings.^3^

    1. Download Microsoft’s Windows 10 Media Creation Tool: https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=2265055
    2. Run it from within the currently working Windows desktop.
    3. Accept the agreement and select Upgrade this PC now.^4^
    4. If using installation media instead, connect it, open it in File Explorer, and run setup.exe. Do not boot from the USB, because the goal is an in-place repair rather than a clean installation.
    5. Select Change what to keep.
    6. Confirm that Keep personal files and apps is selected.
    7. Select Install. Expect several restarts.

    If Keep personal files and apps is unavailable, cancel Setup rather than proceeding. Do not choose Keep nothing.

    4. After the repair completes

    1. Open an administrator Command Prompt and run: 
         sfc /scannow
      The target result is: Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.
    2. Check Device Manager under Display adapters. The Microsoft Basic Display Adapter may remain temporarily, but it should provide basic display output.
    3. Retry the NVIDIA GTX 1060 installer downloaded from NVIDIA. This is worth retrying only now because the Windows component store and driver-installation infrastructure have been replaced by the repair installation.
    4. Restart, then test Windows Update again.

    Do not use DDU or uninstall additional devices again before repairing Windows.

    Windows 10 servicing status

    Windows 10 22H2 reached end of support on October 14, 2025; ordinary installations no longer receive normal monthly security updates unless covered by Extended Security Updates or another applicable servicing channel.^5^ KB5126657 specifically lists Windows 10 22H2 under Windows 10 ESU applicability.^6^

    Therefore, after repairing Windows, verify that this Windows 10 Home PC is actually enrolled in consumer ESU. If it is not, that particular 2026 cumulative update is not applicable to the installation; consider moving to Windows 11 if the hardware qualifies.

    If the repair installation fails

    Record the exact Setup error rather than immediately wiping the PC. A clean installation is the last resort because it removes personal files, applications, settings, and manufacturer customizations.^3^ Use it only if:

    • CHKDSK/storage testing establishes that the HDD must be replaced, or
    • The in-place repair cannot complete or cannot offer Keep personal files and apps.

    References

    1. Backup and restore with File History | Microsoft Support
    2. [Windows 10](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/deployment/install-upgrade/get-help-with-windows-upgrade-and-installation-errors)
    3. Reinstall Windows with the installation media | Microsoft Support
    4. Windows 10 Home Update Troubleshooter not working - Microsoft Q&A
    5. Windows 10, version 22H2 known issues and notifications
    6. October 13, 2026—KB5126657 (OS Builds 19045.7807 and 19044.7807 ...
    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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