Error code 0x8007012F is a Windows Update problem, which means that the error happens whenever you try to install updates on your computer. It can pop up when you are installing app updates, system updates, or feature updates.
Here are some of the error messages you might encounter:
There were some problems installing updates, but we’ll try again later. If you keep seeing this and want to search the web or contact support for information, this may help: (0x8007012F)
The operation has failed
The file cannot be opened because it is in the process of being deleted.
Error code: 0x8007012F
The error messages are not actually very useful, particularly the first one, because it does not provide information about what caused the error. If you get the second message, you’ll probably be more confused because it says the file is being deleted. Why would it be deleted when you’re installing updates?
What’s more confusing about this error is that it usually happens when the updates have been downloaded completely and the installation progress has reached 100%. The error message then pops up saying that the download has failed, even though the dialog says that the updates are already being installed. If that isn’t annoying, then what is?
A super strict firewall or security software may also prevent the updates from downloading to your device. These security features manage incoming traffic to your computer and they filter what’s coming in. If they are overprotective, you might encounter issues when downloading the updates.
But the main reason why this error occurs is because of the old installer files present on your computer. Maybe the update was interrupted at some point and you downloaded another copy of the installer files without completely deleting the old files. In this case, Windows Update does not recognize the new files, but the original download folder instead. Hence, you will keep on getting this error unless you remove the old downloads first.
Finding a working error code 0x8007012F resolution can be troublesome. You need to try several solutions before finding the right one. But before you work down our list below, you should give these general fixes first:
These steps should help prep your computer for the troubleshooting process, if it does not get rid of the error. Should they not work, you can proceed to the steps below.
Run the SFC Tool.
If the SFC tool does not work, you need to run a deeper scan using Deployment Image Servicing and Management or DISM tool. It works just like SFC, just that the scope of the scan is bigger and deeper. The commands you can use for DISM include:
Just let the tool run its course because it will automatically try to repair any corrupted files detected during the scan.
Reset Windows Update Service.
Since this error is caused mostly by old download files, you need to reset the Windows Update components and rename the download folder to something else, so that a new Windows Update folder is generated. By renaming the old folder, your computer will no longer recognize it and will instead refer to the fresh folder.
To do this:
Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter.
Your last option would be to do a clean install of Windows 10/11, if all the steps above don’t help. It may mean more work for you, but at least it will resolve any Windows Update you might be having. This is actually necessary if you encounter the Windows 10/11 error code 0x8007012F for every update you want to install. But if the issue is not too serious, the solutions above should help in some way.
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Windows Update Error 0x8007012f occurs when we try to install a new Windows update.
As part of our Server Management Services, we help our customers with software installations regularly.
Today, let us discuss various methods to fix Windows Update Error 0x8007012f and its causes.
The Windows Update Error 0x8007012f on Windows 10 PC can show up whenever we try to install any kind of Windows update (including apps, system and feature updates).
The error message states:
There were some problems installing updates, but we’ll try again later. If you keep seeing this and want to search the web or contact support for information, this may help: (0x8007012F). The operation has failed The file cannot be opened because it is in the process of being deleted. Error code: 0x8007012F
If we have poor internet connection, the download will not be complete and files might get corrupt.
These security features manage incoming traffic to our computer and they filter what is coming in. If they are overprotective, we might encounter issues when downloading the updates.
A major reason can be the old installer files present on computer. The update might get interrupted at some point and if we download another copy of the installer files without completely deleting the old files, Windows Update does not recognize the new files. Unless we remove the old downloads first we will get the error.
Let us now focus on some of the solutions our Support Engineers employ.
For a general troubleshoot, we switch to a different internet connection. If we cannot connect via a cable we move our computer or laptop in the same room as the router/modem.
Later, we reboot our computer. Starting with a fresh system helps eliminate temporary glitches that might be getting in the way of the update process.
We need to boot our PC into safe mode to be able to delete the contents in the SoftwareDistribution folder.
BITS (Background Intelligence Transfer Service) facilitates download, transfer, or uploading of files to and fro a client and a server. It then offers the progress report of the transfers. But, before you proceed using the BITS troubleshooter, make sure that you re-start the Background Intelligence Transfer Service.
Now, proceed with the BITS trouble shooting:
The System File Checker is a built-in utility to scan, repair, or restore corrupted system files on Windows 10.
If the Windows 10 error 0x8007012F triggers by corrupt installation files or Windows Update service, running this tool should fix it.
If the SFC tool does not work, we need to run a deeper scan using Deployment Image Servicing and Management or DISM tool. It works just like SFC, just that the scope of the scan is bigger and deeper.
The commands we use for DISM include:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
We let the tool run its course because it will automatically try to repair any corrupted files detected during the scan.
Since this error is caused mostly by old download files, we need to reset the Windows Update components and rename the download folder to something else, so as to create a new Windows Update folder.
By renaming the old folder, the computer will no longer recognize it and will instead refer to the fresh folder.
Usually, the last option is to do a clean install of Windows 10, unless the given steps do not help. It may mean more work, but it will resolve any Windows Update we might be having.
This is actually necessary if we encounter the Windows Update Error 0x8007012f for every update we want to install. Generally, if the issue is not too serious, the solutions above should help in some way.
Conclusion
To conclude, the Windows Update Error 0x8007012f show up when you try to install any kind of Windows update. In this article, we saw some solutions provided by our Experienced Support Techs.
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Here is how to fix Windows Update Error 0x8007012f –
1] Make use of Windows Update Troubleshooter
For Windows 11
Corruption in the system may take place from a sudden power surge, software conflict, virus attack, and for some other reasons. Once an essential system element related to the update component goes missing or becomes faulty, Windows update error 0x8007012f may evolve. To resolve the corruption and restore the missing elements automatically, imitate the below steps –
3] Bring back the default state of Windows update component
When the system fails to download or install an update because of error 0x8007012f, there might be a high chance that the update agent either has stopped working or there is some issue with the existing cache. The error may also rise up if Windows update service is unable to connect to the Microsoft servers. These problems will go away after resetting the component manually. For that –
ren C:WindowsSoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.oldren C:WindowsSystem32catroot2 Catroot2.old
4] Remove pending. xml file
5] Clear out BITS queue
If BITS queue will have tasks in error state, the same will prevent the system from installing a new update successfully moreover, give rise to Windows Update Error 0x8007012f. To wipe out –
Background Intelligent Transfer Service is one of the essential components as it helps the system and applications during foreground or background downloads and uploads between the Windows OS and a remote server. Anything wrong the same can give rise to Windows Update Error 0x8007012f. Before you run the dedicated troubleshooter to resolve the update issue, make sure the service is running. To check it –
If error 0x8007012f turns up even when the BITS service is running, run the troubleshooter made for the same –
7] Disable antimalware program for the time being
Note – When the system powers up, check for error 0x8007012f. If it goes away, don’t forget to turn on the Windows Defender Firewall.
Disable third-party antimalware program
If nothing from the above helped to rectify Windows Update Error 0x8007012f, try to install the build manually. This way, you will get a fresh version of Windows.
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