How to fix error 0x80073712 on Windows 10

Windows 10 upgrade always go wrong when installation files are missing or damaged — Here's how you can fix this problem.

Avatar for Mauro Huculak
@Pureinfotech
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Windows 10 Creators Update best features

If you’re trying to upgrade or install to a new version of Windows 10, including the Creators Update, Anniversary Update, or another feature update, you may come across the error 0x80073712.

0x80073712 is a common error on Windows 10, and usually means that one or more required files by Windows Update are missing or damaged.

In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to fix error 0x80073712 when trying to upgrade to a new version of Windows 10 using Windows Update.

How to fix Windows 10 error 0x80073712

Windows Update Troubleshooter

While there is a number of ways to fix this issue, you can use the Windows Update troubleshooter quickly resolve this error.

  1. Download and run the Windows Update Troubleshooter.

  2. Select Windows Update and click Next.

  3. If prompted, click the Try troubleshooting as an administrator option. Re-select your option and click Next again.

  4. Let the troubleshooter fix the problem and click Close.

  5. Reopen the utility, but this time select Windows Networking Diagnostics, which should resolve any networking issues that prevents updates from downloading on your PC.

  6. Let the troubleshooter fix the Windows Update problem and click Close.

  7. Restart your computer to complete the process.

After the process completes, go to Settings > Update & security > Windows Update, and try to update your system one more time.

Disk Cleanup

If you’re still receiving the error about damaged or missing files needed for the upgrade, you can use the Disk Cleanup tool to delete the temporary Windows 10 setup files.

  1. Open Start.

  2. Search for Disk Cleanup and click the result to launch the tool.

  3. Click the Clean up system file button.

    Disk Cleanup
    Disk Cleanup

  4. Select Windows Setup temporary files and Temporary Windows installation files.

    Disk Cleanup (system files)
    Disk Cleanup (system files)

  5. Click OK.

  6. Restart your computer to complete the process.

Once you completed the steps, go to Settings > Update & security > Windows Update, and try to update your system one more time.

Media Creation Tool

As the last resort, you can use the Media Creation Tool to do an in-place upgrade or clean installation of the latest version of Windows 10.

To do an in-place upgrade using Media Creation Tool, use these steps:

To do a clean installation of Windows 10 using the Media Creation Tool, use these steps:

Alternatively, if you’re running Windows 10 Pro or Windows 10 Home, you can also use the Update Assistant to upgrade to the latest version of the OS.

Wrapping things up

While we’re focusing this guide on Windows 10, 0x80073712 can also appear to Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users. You can refer to this guide to reset Windows Update using Command Prompt to fix the problem. Or you can use the Media Creation Tool instructions mentioned above to upgrade your system to Windows 10.

About the author
Avatar for Mauro Huculak

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].