Error Code 0x80070005—also known as ‘Access Denied’ error—is related to Windows updates. It occurs when the system or user lacks the required files or permissions to change settings at the time of Windows update. As a result, Windows update installation is aborted, and the user starts to experience issues like system slow down, abrupt system restart, and crash—Blue Screen of Death (BSOD).

1. 0x80070005 Windows 10 Activation

Restart your Windows PC and log in with the administrator account. Alternatively, you can also switch to user account without restarting your PC via: Start Control Panel User Account. Click to open it. B- Set the permissions in the 'Plug and Play' service in the GPO to allow the activation. This issue happens in Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7. 1- Open the Plug and Play service in the GPO. Go to Computer Configuration / Policies / Windows Settings / Security Settings / System Services. 2- Open the service and click in Edit Security.

These events and the error can cause severe data loss. Thus, fixing the error code 0x80070005 is critical.

Windows updates are a critical part of Windows Operating System. These updates bring much-required security patches, driver updates, more features, and stability for the system. While the Windows update process is seamless in most cases and for most users, there can be a case where you may see the error code 0x80070005 while installing Windows updates.

The Windows update error code indicates that the system user doesn’t have the required permission, or the system update is missing some critical files that are required for installing the update.

This may also indicate an underlying issue with your hard drive such as a bad sector which corrupts the system or update files downloaded and saved on your storage media.

Steps to fix the Windows Update Error Code 0x80070005

Follow the steps in the given sequence to fix the Windows error 0x80070005 without data loss or any further complications.

Step 1: Backup your Critical Files Immediately

Before you start fixing the error, back up your important files. In case any file is not found, follow Step 2 to learn how you can get back those missing files. Once you have backed up all the files, proceed with the next steps to fix the 0x80070005 Windows update error.

Step 2: Recover Files Lost Due to the Error

Watch and follow this video guide to get back the lost files. Then copy or save the recovered files directly on to your backup drive.

Once you have all the important files in the backup, check them for any corruption. If you find your photos or videos corrupt, follow this guide to fix the drive corruption.

Step 3: Check the Disk Space

Let’s start with the basics. Windows update requires adequate storage space to apply the update successfully. So before downloading the updates, make sure your system has enough storage space to accumulate the updates.

Also, the upcoming Windows Update requires almost 7GB of free space for installation.

In case your system is running out of storage, copy data from the user-profile folders (Desktop, Documents, Music, etc.) to a different volume or external storage media.

0x80070005 Windows 10 Activation

Step 4: Use Windows Updates Troubleshooter

Windows provides a dedicated troubleshooter wizard to fix all Windows update-related issues quickly. Follow the steps to use the Windows Update Troubleshooter and fix the Windows error 0x80070005.

For Windows 7 & 8

1. Open Control Panel
2. Click on System and Security >Troubleshooting and then click Fix problems with Windows Update
3. Click Advanced
4. Select Apply Repair Automatically and then click ‘Run as Administrator.’
5. Click Next and let it finish

In a Windows 10 PC,

1. Press Windows + X and click ‘Settings.’
2. Go to ‘Update & Security and click on Troubleshoot
3. Click on Windows update
4. Click ‘Run the troubleshooter’.
5. Grant admin permission and follow the troubleshoot wizard to apply fixes

Step 5: Run SFC

SFC or System File Checker is a Windows inbuilt utility that lets you scan and repair damaged and corrupt system files that might be hindering the update installation.

To run the SFC scan,

• Open the command prompt in Windows PC
• Type sfc /scannow and hit Enter key.
• Wait for a while till the scan and repair process is finished

Step 6: Scan for Virus and Malware

Run a malware scan using the inbuilt Windows Defender app. Make sure the app is updated. However, if you can, get a premium subscription or trial version of the popular malware scanner—Malwarebytes—to scan your system for malware infection.

After the scan, just restart your PC, then download and install the Windows Updates. If you still see the same error, manually install the Windows updates.

Step 7: Manually Update the Windows

When everything fails to fix the Windows update error code 0x80070005, follow these instructions to update your Windows manually—

Windows Update Catalog is a repository from where one can download the Windows cumulative or significant updates and install them manually—just like any other program.

• Go to Settings>Update & Security>Windows Update
• Click ‘View Update History’ and note down the Windows Update version code
• Then visit Windows Updates Catalogue
• In the search bar, type your update version code and press ‘Enter’ or click the ‘Search’ button

• Click the ‘Download’ button.
• Click the update download link and then install the downloaded update in your Windows PC

• Restart system

If you see any error or update is not installed successfully with the manual method, reset your PC.

Final Step: Reset Windows Installation

Please note that when you reset your PC, your personal files in the C: volume are deleted—think of it as fresh Windows installation.

This option can surely fix the error code 0x80070005. So before following the below steps, backup if you haven’t already!

• Press Windows + X and click ‘Settings’, and then Click ‘Update & Security.’
• Under ‘Reset This PC’ click ‘Get Started’ button and follow the Windows PC Reset on-screen instructions.

In case you still face a problem, reinstall Windows using the Windows installation disc.

Conclusion

Before updating Windows, always back up! While Windows update installations are mostly error free, there may be a chance that you may lose your file if the update doesn’t install successfully. This may occur due to faulty update or access denied error. Error code 0x80070005 indicates that the user doesn’t have required permission due to which installation has failed or aborted.

Sometimes, faulty updates delete your files. It happened during the last major Windows October 2018 update release , which deleted the ‘Document’ folder after installation. In all such scenarios, use a specialized backup or a data recovery software such as Stellar Data Recovery.