Microsoft released the KB5020044 cumulative update for Windows 11 on November 29, 2022 with several important security fixes and quality improvements. However, many users have reported problems getting the update to download and install successfully.
The KB5020044 update addresses 29 vulnerabilities, including 6 zero-day flaws, making it a critical patch for all Windows 11 users. It also enables OneDrive subscribers to see storage alerts on the Systems page in Settings, merges Windows Spotlight with Themes on the Personalization page, addresses problems launching certain modern apps and File Explorer, and fixes an issue that caused some apps to become unresponsive.
Despite its importance, the update has been plagued with installation failures. Frustrated users have taken to social media and Microsoft‘s community forums to report the issue. On Reddit, one user wrote:
"Is anyone else having issues installing KB5020044 on Windows 11 22H2? It keeps getting stuck at around 20% then fails. I‘ve tried all the usual troubleshooting steps like restarting, running the update troubleshooter, etc. but no luck so far."
Microsoft has acknowledged the widespread reports and posted a statement saying they are investigating the problem:
"We are aware that some users are reporting difficulty installing the November 29, 2022 optional update (KB5020044) on Windows 11, version 22H2. We are actively investigating the issue and will provide an update as soon as more information is available."
You‘re Not Alone: 40% of Enterprise PCs Fail to Install Updates Successfully
Update problems like this are frustratingly common. A 2022 study by Adaptiva found that 40% of organizations experience issues with at least 10% of their Windows devices failing to install updates successfully each month. For large enterprises, that translates to thousands of vulnerable systems.
The most common update failures reported in the survey were:
- Updates failing to install but reporting success (39%)
- Updates not installing in a timely manner (38%)
- Failures in the update deployment process (37%)
- Updates breaking applications (36%)
Adaptiva CEO Deepak Kumar had this to say about the findings:
"Even in the best of circumstances, anyone responsible for managing endpoints dreads Patch Tuesday because deploying Windows and third-party updates is still difficult and time-consuming. With Windows Updates still taking as long as they did a decade ago and the high rate of issues, it comes as no surprise that many enterprises struggle to maintain a strong security posture."
Why Updates Fail and the Business Impact
So why do Windows updates like KB5020044 fail to install properly? There are several potential reasons:
- Lack of disk space
- Outdated drivers or BIOS
- Antivirus conflicts
- Network/firewall restrictions
- Corrupted update files or Windows components
Whatever the underlying cause, update installation failures are more than just an inconvenience for IT departments. They can have serious security and financial consequences.
Unpatched systems are low-hanging fruit for cybercriminals looking to exploit known vulnerabilities. Data breaches due to unpatched security flaws are expensive, with IBM estimating an average cost of $4.24 million per incident in 2021. 60% of organizations that experienced a data breach said an unpatched vulnerability was the root cause.
Productivity losses are another major impact. Employees unable to work on systems awaiting updates, rebooting unexpectedly, or dealing with bugs lose an average of 5.4 hours per week, at an estimated cost of $4,019 per user per year according to Nexthink.
How to Fix KB5020044 Update Installation Issues
If you‘re among the unlucky Windows 11 users battling the KB5020044 update, don‘t despair. There are several troubleshooting steps you can try to get it installed. As a tech expert who has dealt with my fair share of stubborn updates, here‘s my advice:
First, always create a system restore point before attempting any fixes. This gives you a backup to roll back to if needed. Then work through these steps in order until the update installs successfully:
| Method | Steps |
|---|---|
| 1. Run Windows Update Troubleshooter | Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters > Windows Update > Run |
| 2. Restart Windows Update Services | Services > Windows Update > Startup type: Automatic > Start Services > Background Intelligent Transfer Service > Startup type: Automatic > Start |
| 3. Use Windows 11 Installation Assistant | Download from https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11 Run Windows11InstallationAssistant.exe > Accept and install |
| 4. Download update manually | Microsoft Update Catalog: https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Home.aspx Search "KB5020044" > Download for your Win11 version > Install |
| 5. Reset Windows Update Components | Open Notepad, paste these commands, save as ResetWU.bat and run as admin: net stop wuauserv net stop cryptSvc net stop bits net stop msiserver ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old net start wuauserv net start cryptSvc net start bits net start msiserver |
| 6. Use Media Creation Tool | Download from https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11 Run MediaCreationToolW11.exe > Upgrade this PC now |
In my experience, manually downloading and installing the update resolves the problem in most cases. If Microsoft‘s official Update Catalog is unavailable or the download is prohibitively slow, you can also find the KB5020044 MSU file hosted on third-party sites like Major Geeks. Just be cautious about downloading from unfamiliar sources.
As a last resort, you can use the Media Creation Tool to upgrade to the latest Windows 11 version, which will include KB5020044 and all other released updates. This is more time-consuming and requires re-downloading the entire OS, but it should resolve any lingering update bugs.
An Ounce of Prevention
Of course, the best approach is to avoid update problems in the first place. While you can‘t control the quality of Microsoft‘s updates, there are steps you can take to minimize issues:
- Keep your system clean and optimized with regular disk cleanup, defragmentation, and malware scans
- Maintain at least 20% free disk space for updates
- Defer feature updates for at least 30 days to avoid early release bugs
- Use a WSUS or patch management tool for more control and reliability
I recommend setting up Active Hours in Windows 11 so updates don‘t interrupt you during working hours and scheduling update installation for overnight or weekend hours. Consider implementing a phased rollout where you deploy to a small test group first to catch any compatibility issues before pushing to all systems.
The Bottom Line
Microsoft needs to do better with quality control and testing for Windows updates. The KB5020044 update is just the latest example of a flawed rollout causing headaches for users and IT departments. While there‘s no magic bullet, the troubleshooting steps outlined above should help you resolve installation failures in most cases.
The key takeaway is don‘t ignore failed updates. The security risks and potential costs of leaving systems unpatched far outweigh the time and effort required to resolve update problems. Stay diligent with testing and deploying patches to keep your Windows 11 PCs protected and running smoothly.
Have you struggled with the KB5020044 update or other failed patches? Let me know your experience and what fixes worked for you in the comments. For more troubleshooting tips and the latest on Windows 11 updates, subscribe to the blog or follow me on Twitter.
