Windows KB5017321 and KB5017026 Update Issues: Fixes and Insights

Are you pulling your hair out trying to install the KB5017321 or KB5017026 updates on your Windows 11 PC? You‘re far from alone. These updates have been plagued with installation issues since their release, causing headaches for countless users.

In this deep dive, we‘ll explore what these problematic updates actually include, the most common issues users are encountering, and a full arsenal of fixes you can try to resolve the installation failures. Plus, we‘ll take an expert look at the wider context around Windows 11 update issues and what Microsoft is doing to address them.

But first, let‘s set the stage with some key stats that highlight the scale of the KB5017321/KB5017026 debacle:

Source: Microsoft Support Forums, Windows 11 Subreddit

As you can see, both updates were flooded with tens of thousands of reports of installation failures within just the first week of release. Clearly, these are widespread issues affecting a significant chunk of the Windows 11 user base.

So what exactly is in these updates that‘s causing so much trouble? Let‘s take a closer look.

Anatomy of KB5017321 and KB5017026

KB5017321 and KB5017026 are cumulative updates for Windows 11 that were released on September 20, 2022 as part of the broader 22H2 feature update. They include important security fixes and performance optimizations, but also some structural changes to how Windows handles updates.

Here‘s a rundown of the key components:

• Security Patches: Fixes for over 50 vulnerabilities in Windows and default apps, including critical flaws that could allow remote code execution
• Update Optimization: Reduced download size and faster installation for cumulative updates (around 450 MB smaller than before)
• Carbon Aware Updates: New feature to intelligently schedule updates for times of lower carbon emissions from local power grids
• Servicing Stack Updates: Changes to core Windows Update components to improve reliability and performance

Source: Windows 11 Update History

While the update optimizations sound great on paper, the changes to the underlying servicing stack seem to be a key culprit behind the surge of installation issues.

In particular, the "carbon aware" scheduling feature requires some tricky coordination between the Windows Update service and local network time protocols. If there are misconfigurations or inconsistencies in those components, it can gum up the whole update process.

By the Numbers: Most Common Update Issues

So what specific issues are users actually running into when trying to install these updates? I dug through piles of support threads and error reports to find the most prevalent problems. Here‘s a breakdown:

Source: Analysis of 2000+ posts on Microsoft Support Forums and Windows 11 Subreddit

As you can see, the two most common issues by far are updates failing with a specific error code, or seemingly downloading but then never actually installing. These point to potential problems with the Windows Update service itself, or corrupted update files.

The next most prevalent issue is Windows Update getting stuck on the "Checking for updates" stage, which could indicate network connectivity issues or trouble communicating with Microsoft‘s update servers.

Finally, a smaller but still significant chunk of users are reporting their PCs freezing up or automatically restarting during the update installation process. This is usually a sign of deeper system instability or driver conflicts.

6 Fixes for KB5017321 and KB5017026 Installation Issues

Now that we‘ve covered the lay of the land, let‘s jump into troubleshooting. Here are 6 reliable fixes you can try, in order from simplest to most involved:

1. Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter

Windows includes a handy built-in troubleshooter that can automatically detect and resolve common update issues. Here‘s how to run it:

1. Open the Start menu and click the Settings cog icon
2. Go to System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters
3. Scroll down and click Run next to Windows Update
4. Follow the prompts to apply any recommended fixes
5. Restart your PC and try updating again

I‘ve seen the troubleshooter resolve all sorts of update bugs, from network connectivity issues to botched registry keys. It‘s a great first line of defense.

2. Reset the Windows Update Service

If the troubleshooter doesn‘t do the trick, your next step is to manually reset the Windows Update service and clear out its temporary files. Here‘s how:

1. Hit Win+R to open the Run dialog, type services.msc, and press Enter
2. Scroll down to the Windows Update service, right-click it and choose Stop
3. Open File Explorer and go to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution
4. Select everything in that folder and delete it
5. Go back to the Services window, right-click Windows Update and choose Start
6. Restart your PC and check for updates again

This fix clears out the cached update files that may have become corrupted and makes sure the Windows Update service is running normally.

3. Manually Install the Update from Microsoft Catalog

If Windows Update still won‘t cooperate, you can circumvent it entirely by downloading the update package directly from the Microsoft Update Catalog. Here‘s the process:

1. Go to the Microsoft Update Catalog website
2. Search for "KB5017321" or "KB5017026"
3. Find the update for your version of Windows and system architecture (e.g. x64)
4. Click Download, then click on the .msu link to download the update file
5. Open the downloaded .msu file to install the update manually
6. Restart your PC to complete the installation

This is a good workaround if there‘s some underlying issue with your Windows Update configuration that‘s preventing it from grabbing the update normally.

4. Repair System Files with DISM and SFC

In some cases, Windows updates can fail due to corruption in core system files. You can scan for and repair this corruption using two built-in tools: DISM and SFC.

To run them:

1. Open a Command Prompt or PowerShell window as an admin
2. Run the following command to check for system corruption:

   DISM /online /cleanup-image /checkhealth

3. If that finds any issues, run this command to repair them:

   DISM /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth

4. Once that finishes, run an SFC scan to check for additional corruption:

   sfc /scannow

5. Restart your PC and try installing the update again

These tools will replace any damaged system files with fresh copies, which can resolve all sorts of mysterious Windows Update errors.

5. Use the Media Creation Tool for an In-place Upgrade

If all else fails, you can use the Media Creation Tool to perform an "in-place upgrade" of Windows 11. This essentially replaces all your system files without touching your personal data, similar to a clean install but less destructive. Here‘s how:

1. Go to Microsoft‘s Windows 11 download page
2. Under "Create Windows 11 Installation Media", click Download Now
3. Open the downloaded MediaCreationToolW11.exe file
4. Select Upgrade this PC now and follow the prompts
5. On the Choose what to keep page, make sure to select Keep personal files and apps
6. Click Install and let the process complete

After the upgrade, Windows will be fully up-to-date, including the KB5017321 and KB5017026 updates. This is the most surefire way to force the updates and resolve any lingering system issues.

6. Seek Additional Support

Still having trouble after trying all the above? It‘s time to bring out the big guns. Here are some additional support resources that can help:

• Microsoft Support: Official support channels for Windows issues
• Windows Update subreddit: Community support from fellow Windows users
• Microsoft Answers forums: More official Microsoft support resources

If you go this route, be sure to document the specific errors you‘re seeing and what troubleshooting steps you‘ve already tried. The more detail you can provide, the better chance of getting a helpful response.

Key Takeaways and What‘s Next

Windows updates can be finicky beasts, and issues like those plaguing KB5017321 and KB5017026 are all too common. However, with the troubleshooting steps and context we‘ve covered, you should be well-equipped to resolve most installation issues.

To recap, here are the key points to keep in mind:

• Always create a system restore point or backup before attempting any major troubleshooting
• Start with the simplest fixes first, like running the Update Troubleshooter and resetting Windows Update components
• If those don‘t work, try more advanced steps like a manual update install or in-place upgrade
• Don‘t hesitate to seek additional support from Microsoft or the Windows community if needed

As for the bigger picture, Microsoft is well aware of the ongoing struggles with Windows 11 updates, and is actively working on improvements. In fact, the optimizations in KB5017321 and KB5017026 themselves are part of that effort, rocky as the rollout has been.

Looking ahead, the next major Windows 11 feature update (version 23H2) is expected to bring even more streamlining to the update process, including smaller and less disruptive background installations. Only time will tell if it delivers on that promise, but here‘s hoping!

In the meantime, stay safe, stay updated, and happy troubleshooting!