How to fix ‘KB3020114 fails to install’ on Windows 10 build 9879

You may come across a big error trying to install KB3020114 on Windows 10, Microsoft is aware of the issue, and here's the workaround.

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If you’ve been trying to install the KB3020114 update in your Windows 10 Technical Preview build 9879 and failed with error 80070005. You’re not alone. Many users are reporting that they cannot install this update that Microsoft released on December 2nd.

The update that Microsoft issue for build 9879 is to fix a big crashing and restarting issue with Explorer.exe. The company is aware of the problem and it’s working on a permanent fix. If you’re irritated by the crashes and you don’t want to wait, there is a workaround that can allow you to successfully install the KB3020114 update.

According to a post at the Microsoft Answers forum, user MVP Jeffrey Roach fixed the problem by uninstalling all the previous update for build 9879 and reinstalling them all. Follow the steps below to fix this issue.

How to fix KB3020114 on Windows 10

  1. Open Windows Update, click on View update history, then Installed Updates.

  2. Uninstall all the updates including: KB3019269, KB3018943, KB3016725, KB3016656.

    According to the Microsoft forum’s post, appears to be listed as “suspicious update” on the internet. For more information check this forum.

  3. Then try to update again and you’ll probably see the following updates available for download: KB3020114, KB3016725, KB3019269, KB3018943.

Now you can install the KB3020114 without running into the error 80070005 again.

If you encounter this problem with your installation and this workaround works, please share your experience in the comments below.

Update: Although, there isn’t a permanent fix for this issue, Microsoft’s Gabe Aul is recommending to try this workaround. On a Tweet to Windows Insiders, he points to the same solution I’m suggesting in this post.

Source Microsoft

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 15 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 21 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].