Windows Update Error: 80070490
So yesterday when I was playing with my Vista Media Center, I was playing around with WebGuide and I was getting long delays when browsing through the folders. I know there was a network transfer bug in Vista that caused it to be slow and since all the files I was sharing were located off box, I decided to see if there was a new patch to fix this. That’s when I noticed that my system hasn’t done a Windows Update since December 5th, 2007. So after clicking on check for new updates, I get this error code: 80070490
Looked simple enough. I thought if I search online for this number along with windows update, I’d get a simple solution on how to fix it. Boy was I wrong.
First, I tried the Windows Update help file. It showed me a different bunch of error codes, but none that match mine.
So the next thing was the search engine. There were a bunch of hits, but none with a simple solution. According to FAQShop.com, 80070490 means Permission denied / [Problem initializing or using session variables] or Element not found. Not really sure what to do about that.
There were no official solutions. People have contacted Microsoft Support, but the only fix is to “upgrade” your Vista. I’ll elaborate later. The 2 most helpful sites I found in regards to this issue were actually threads:
I believe they both originate from the microsoft.public.windowsupdate newsgroup, but there’s several additional replies in the Google one. I also like the formatting of the Google one better as they hide the replies.
Here are the several solutions suggested:
I recently encountered this problem as well, and what the technician told me to do was enter the services menu, and reset the following services in this order: BITS (Background Intelligent Transfer Service) - Cryptographic Services - Windows Update)
then restart your system. that worked for me once but it only worked until i restarted my computer again. any other more permanent ideas would be greatly appreciated, and i hope that these suggestions help somebody.
I wasn’t exactly sure what “reset” meant, so I restarted the following 3 services in order:
- Background Intelligent Transfer Service
- Cryptographic Services
- Windows Update
I then restarted my computer. Windows Update still didn’t work and still returned the dreaded 80070490 error code.
The problem was eventually resolved by Microsoft Support via their free service for update issues - thanks for that advice, PA Bear. In spite of trying various ‘fixes’ with guidance from Microsoft, I ultimately had to ‘upgrade’ (not reinstall) Windows using the original Windows Vista disk. This process takes much longer than a typical install - so long in fact that at one stage I thought the system had frozen and that I’d have to do a complete reinstall. Fortunately ‘upgrade’ eventually completed the various tasks and all original data, other installed software and setting were preserved, so ‘upgrading’ was the better option - for me at least.
I hope this helps. Good luck.
This is actually the solution that has worked for most people that encountered this error and is in fact the current solution provided by Microsoft Support. What you do is stick in your original Vista DVD, perform what you would do with new install, and when the option comes up to for Upgrade or Advance/Custom, select Upgrade. I’m not exactly sure what it means to Upgrade when I already have Vista Ultimate installed, but what the heck, I just followed directions. They note that it does take several hours to complete. Of course that depends on how fast your machine is.
Anyway, I’m already somewhat pissed. What the heck is this error and why am I repairing my Vista install when I haven’t done anything to it in the past month. But worse of all, half way through the repair, it says my system isn’t compatible to install this version of Vista and tells me to run the compatibility tool. It then reboots and restores the previous configuration. I tried this like 3x, each time waiting an hour or so before it hits this error.
I finally gave up with this Upgrade solution.
An idea hit me. Since the last successful Windows Update was on December 5th, 2007, what if I try doing a System Restore to the last point before that date. I hate doing System Restores as it smudges up tons of settings and breaks applications you’ve installed after that date. Anyway, I do a System Restore to November 30th, 2007 and behold, Windows Update suddenly works again! I had to reinstall WebGuide and a couple other apps, but this error needs to be better documented.
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Tags: 80070490, error, system restore, windows update, windows vista
January 5th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
Whenever I run into a crazy Vista error I always just ask longhost. I think there’s also a Windows Update - Hot Issues internal mailing list that you can ping on these things.
If you can repro the problem you should really do it because hopefully you can help them debug and fix the issue so no one else has to suffer
January 5th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
Ah… those are the aliases I should’ve contacted. I sent an email to IDunno, but they never replied. Fortunately (or maybe unfortunately), the error doesn’t repro anymore.
RayAlome also told me he encounter this problem and shutting down the above services along with Windows Defender allowed his friend’s computer to get the newest Windows Update and it worked from that point on.
January 13th, 2008 at 3:27 am
[...] Windows Update Error: 80070490 [...]
January 21st, 2008 at 1:34 am
[...] Windows Update Error: 80070490 [...]
January 28th, 2008 at 12:55 am
Since I ran into this page when I googled this problem I figured I post my solution here. I was in contact with support from microsoft and they ofcourse told my to do the Upgrade. i tried but got the same result as in the text above. Tried it atleast 3 times, then I remembered my system is overclocked… I changed it to the normal settings and then it sailed through the upgrade nps and windows update works like a charm again!
Just thought I post it since other ppl may have the same problem.
January 28th, 2008 at 12:58 am
Interesting. My computer is definitely not overclocked unless Newegg sold me the wrong CPU. Glad to hear it worked out for you.
January 29th, 2008 at 5:04 am
[...] Windows Update Error: 80070490 [...]
February 3rd, 2008 at 7:18 am
[...] Windows Update Error: 80070490 [...]
February 10th, 2008 at 8:01 am
[...] Windows Update Error: 80070490 [...]
February 17th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
[...] Windows Update Error: 80070490 [...]
February 22nd, 2008 at 11:50 pm
got this 80070490 but not very good with laptop , is there an easy way for a layman like me to get rid of this and get my updates ????????? please help, b7rmo
February 26th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
[...] Windows Update Error: 80070490 [...]
March 16th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
[...] Windows Update Error: 80070490 [...]
July 20th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
So, the bottom line is that none of you geeks know how to fix this other than your rants and rambles. Very sad.
July 20th, 2008 at 5:50 pm
I’m not sure if you read my entry, but I’ve provided several ways to work around this issue, but if you have any “better” idea, we’d like to hear that instead of your “rants and rambles”.
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:47 am
Rants? This was my nice me. All I see is a bunch of back and forth endless “rambles” that fail to offer a solution and an absolute end to this issue. I huffed and puffed and still see no such answer here in all your professional offerings. So, if you would be so kind as to share with me, where I missed the solution to this in your many writtings I would be in your debt.
Best regards, CV Brown
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:51 am
I have the exact same error and have tried every single “workaround solution” on multiple posts. NONE HAVE WORKED, not even the UPGRADE with the DVD! That errored out about 4 hours into it and said “unable to upgrade, restoring previous version”. WHAT THE HECK??? I’m ready to format the drive and go back to WIndows XP. If anyone has another idea, please post it, because I’m at a loss.
July 22nd, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Which is exactly what I see you doing now… I don’t care if that was the “nice” you or the “mean” you or even the “stupid” you. I’m just saying you’re coming to MY blog to criticize MY rants/ramblings and then NOT being able to provide any better solution yourself probably makes you deserve the title of scumlord.
I never did mention I had the best solution, but the workarounds mentioned above have been tried and tested by others:
July 22nd, 2008 at 12:18 pm
pchelpmeplease, have you tried the “System Restore” option yet? I had also hit the upgrade error, but a System Restore to 2 weeks back got rid of the problem.
July 22nd, 2008 at 12:41 pm
Yes, I did try the system restore, but it was unable to restore to an early enough date. I could only restore back 3 days and that did not fix the problem. UGH!!!
July 22nd, 2008 at 1:29 pm
pchelpmeplease, unfortunately I’m not aware of any other solutions at the time. My only advice right now would be to try a OS repair/restore (not upgrade).
September 15th, 2008 at 9:20 am
hi, i have read most of this, I have the same problem, and found you, I am clueless at all this how do I do a System restore? thanks
September 15th, 2008 at 11:11 pm
You can read more about System Restore here: Use System Restore to Undo Changes if Problems Occur
September 27th, 2008 at 3:11 am
Me too with this head banging prob but my biggest nightmare would be to reinstall Windows Vista when it was pre loaded on lap top at purchase????????????? Tried contacting vendor to see if they could throw us a copy but they only suggest System Restore too. Wouldn’t I loose all personal stuff. Not too bright with these neccesary evils. Thanks.
October 20th, 2008 at 10:33 am
[...] nu har jag också fått “error 80070490” när jag försöker ladda ned och installera uppdateringar i Vista. [...]
November 3rd, 2008 at 1:21 pm
i had this problem but it was a easy one for me to fix i just went into control panel & checked to see if the was any avialible updates ther on windows vista
& as i thought ther was 2 updates fixed my problem hope it can help some other people also who come across this the same way as i did
November 19th, 2008 at 6:44 am
Google (magical jelly bean key finder ) To reinstal your original code.