Skip to content

Windows Update error 0x80070002: The system cannot find the file specified

Updated

Cleared for publishing after the automated checks on .

What the code means

The system cannot find the file specified. (Fix Windows Update corruptions and installation failures)

The system cannot find the file specified. (System Error Codes (0-499))

Setup extended codes for 0x80070002

SuffixPhaseWhat it means
0x20009SP_EXECUTION_SAFE_OSError in the SAFE_OS phase during the PREPARE_ROLLBACK operation (phase 2, operation 9). (Windows 10 upgrade error codes)

Code facts for 0x80070002

Code as Windows shows it0x80070002
TypeWin32 error code
Symbolic nameERROR_FILE_NOT_FOUND
Hexadecimal, 8 digits0x80070002
Decimal (unsigned)2147942402
Decimal (signed 32-bit)-2147024894
Severityfailure
Facility7 FACILITY_WIN32
Windows error number inside this code2 ERROR_FILE_NOT_FOUND: The system cannot find the file specified.
GroupWindows Update errors

Read with care

  • Microsoft says these phase and operation values reflect the Windows 10 upgrade process (version 1607) and might change in later releases. (Windows 10 upgrade error codes)

Code facts: Fix Windows Update corruptions and installation failures (Microsoft Learn, CC BY 4.0), checked Nov 14, 2026.

Code facts: System Error Codes (0-499) (Microsoft Learn, CC BY 4.0), checked Nov 14, 2026.

Code facts: Windows 10 upgrade error codes (Microsoft Learn, CC BY 4.0), checked Nov 14, 2026.

Where this error shows up

This code shows up while Windows Update or a Windows upgrade is downloading, installing or setting up.

Applies to

Windows 11 and Windows 10 (as listed at the top of the Microsoft page). The page notes Windows 10 support ended 14 Oct 2025. The steps from Microsoft's Windows Server page for this code apply to Windows Server, and each of them says so.

7 steps to try, in order

Steps are grouped by the Microsoft page they come from. The page lists only what those pages give; other causes of 0x80070002 are not covered. 6 steps are flagged.

If this page and Microsoft's page differ, follow Microsoft's page.

Microsoft also gives general steps that cover this code: see the general steps in the Windows Update errors group. Each block there says which codes its Microsoft page gives the steps for.

From: Get help with Windows upgrade and installation errors

Source: Get help with Windows upgrade and installation errors (Microsoft Support), checked Nov 14, 2026. Summary in our own words; Microsoft's page has the full steps.

  1. Remove disks you aren't installing to

    Changes disks

    If the PC has other disks that Windows isn't being installed on, take them out and retry (Microsoft lists this for 0x80070002 0x20009).

    Microsoft advises: Back up your personal files before you try these fixes. (Back up and restore with Windows Backup)

From: Windows 10 upgrade resolution procedures

Source: Windows 10 upgrade resolution procedures (Microsoft Learn), checked Nov 14, 2026. © Microsoft, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Steps shortened and reworded by PC Driver Update.

Microsoft's Windows 10 upgrade resolution procedures (IT page). This row covers 0x80073BC3, 0x80070002 and 0x80073B92 with extend code 0x20009.

  1. Disconnect the drive with the old system partition

    Windows 10 only.

    Changes disks

    These errors occur during partition analysis and can be caused by more than one system partition, for example a new system drive installed while the previous one is still connected. Disconnect or temporarily disable drives that contain the unused system partition, and reconnect them after the upgrade has completed.

    Microsoft advises: Back up your personal files before you try these fixes. (Back up and restore with Windows Backup)

From: Troubleshoot Windows Update error 0x80070002

Source: Troubleshoot Windows Update error 0x80070002 (Microsoft Learn), checked Nov 14, 2026. © Microsoft, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Steps shortened and reworded by PC Driver Update.

Microsoft's page for 0x80070002 on Windows Server; each fix matches a symptom found in the CBS log. It says to back up the operating system disk before you start.

  1. Security monthly rollup fails (clr_optimization services)

    Applies to Windows Server.

    Changes the registry

    If CBS.log shows clr_optimization_v4.0.30319 services failing to start, back up and delete the registry keys HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\services\clr_optimization_v4.0.30319_32 and HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\services\clr_optimization_v4.0.30319_64, then install the update again. The page asks you to back up the registry before changing it.

    Microsoft advises: Back up the registry before you change it, so you can restore it if a problem occurs. (How to back up and restore the registry in Windows)

  2. Missing System Tools folder

    Applies to Windows Server.

    If CBS.log shows STATUS_OBJECT_NAME_NOT_FOUND for C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\System Tools, copy the System Tools folder (with all shortcuts) from a working machine.

  3. Missing DLLs in C:\Windows\WinSxS

    Applies to Windows Server.

    Changes permissions on system folders

    Identify the missing DLLs from the CBS logs and copy them from a working server: takeown /f c:\windows\winsxs, icacls c:\windows\winsxs /grant administrators:F, cd c:\windows\winsxs, then create the component folder with mkdir and copy the file into it (the page shows a DWrite.dll example).

    Run DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth, then install the standalone Monthly Rollup package from the Microsoft Update Catalog.

    Microsoft advises: Back up your personal files before you try these fixes. (Back up and restore with Windows Backup)

  4. Cumulative update rolls back (driver registry keys)

    Applies to Windows Server.

    Changes the registry

    If the System log shows Event ID 20 with 0x80070002 and CBS.log names a driver (the page's example is flpydisk.inf), export that driver's registry keys from a working computer and import them on the affected one (example: HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\flpydisk and HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\sfloppy).

    Microsoft advises: Back up the registry before you change it, so you can restore it if a problem occurs. (How to back up and restore the registry in Windows)

  5. Windows upgrade fails (WIM mount)

    Applies to Windows Server.

    Changes the registry

    If Setupact.log shows WimMount errors, export the Wimmount registry entry (HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Wimmount.sys, as the page writes it) from a working server and merge it on the affected server.

    Microsoft advises: Back up the registry before you change it, so you can restore it if a problem occurs. (How to back up and restore the registry in Windows)

Stop and get help

If these steps do not fix the problem, or you are not sure about a step, stop and get help from Microsoft Support or from the maker of your PC. Stop at once if the data on this computer is at risk: back up your files first, or ask a professional before you go on.

Dates and review

Automated checksfirst check: ; second check: ; third check: ; fourth check:
Microsoft pages read
  • Get help with Windows upgrade and installation errors: read , the Microsoft page is dated Feb 18, 2026
  • Troubleshoot problems updating Windows: read , the Microsoft page is dated Sep 24, 2026
  • Windows 10 upgrade resolution procedures: read , the Microsoft page is dated Feb 12, 2026
  • Fix Windows Update corruptions and installation failures: read , the Microsoft page is dated Feb 12, 2026
  • Troubleshoot Windows Update error 0x80070002: read , the Microsoft page is dated Feb 12, 2026
  • System Error Codes (0-499): read , the Microsoft page is dated Jul 14, 2025
  • [MS-ERREF]: HRESULT: read , the Microsoft page is dated Nov 20, 2024
  • Windows 10 upgrade error codes: read , the Microsoft page is dated Feb 12, 2026
Review statusCleared for publishing after the automated checks on .