Fix Windows Update Error 0x8007010b

Windows update error 0x8007010b, ERROR_DIRECTORY, directory name is not valid can happen in Windows 10, if the update mechanism is corrupt. The error means that Windows Update is trying to access a directory, but since it does not exist or the name is not valid, it returns an error. In this article we will explain how you can get this error and update the system.

Windows update error 0x8007010b

If you are having this problem, here are the things you should try:

1. Run DISM
2. Run the Windows Update troubleshooter
3. Download and install the update manually
4. Reset the Windows Update components.

You will need administrator permission to apply one of these fixes.

1]Run DISM

DISM or Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) is a command line tool used to repair corrupt system files using an existing Windows system image. It can be used to block, uninstall, configure and update Windows features, packages, drivers and more.

Open Command Prompt or PowerShell with Admin permission and run the command with options such as / ScanHealth, / CheckHealth and / RestoreHealth

Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth

Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth 

Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Run the command one after the other and allow it enough time to complete. The last switch will take care of correcting and fixing any corruption related to system files such as the invalid directory.

2]Run the Windows Update troubleshooter

Windows offers a built-in troubleshooter that can fix typical Windows Update problems without you having to worry much about them. Such errors should be able to be resolved

• Open Windows settings (WIN + I)
• Go to Update & Security> Troubleshooting
• Locate Windows Update troubleshooting and click on it
• Click Run the troubleshooter

After the wizard completes the fix, try to update Windows 10 again and check if the error no longer occurs.

3]Download and install the update manually

If you are unable to update this update manually, you can still download and install it from the Microsoft website. Microsoft offers a download center for all updates where you can find and download that particular update. Once downloaded, you can install it like any other software in Windows. You can also use Microsoft Update Catalog and WSUS Offline Update to perform an offline update.

4]Reset Windows Update cache

Windows Update is made up of many components. It includes Background Intelligent Transfer, Windows Update Service, Cryptographic Services, and Application Identification Service. If any of the components are not working, the update may cause problems like this. It would be a good idea to reset these Windows Update components – so refer to this guide for more details.

Here is the summary of all the steps to follow:

• Stop Windows Update Component Services
• Delete the qmgr * .dat files.
• Rename the SoftwareDistribution and catroot2 folders
• Reset the BITS service and the Windows Update service to the default security descriptor.
• Reregister BITS files and DLL files related to Windows Update.
• Delete incorrect registry values
• Reset Winsock.

I hope the steps were easy to follow and that you were able to fix the Windows update error 0x8007010b.