Error Code 0x80070020 – What is it?
One of the problems encountered by Windows users when upgrading to Windows 10 from Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1 is the Error Code 0x80070020. This error code normally occurs when users try to download updates from the Windows Update Website or simply by upgrading to Windows 10. Error Code 0x80070020 also occurs when the device already has a Windows 10 installed.
Once this error is encountered, it will cause malfunction of update installs and display the following message:
An error (-5006 : 0x80070020) has occurred while running the setup. Or The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process”
Solution
Error Causes
In an attempt to fix Error Code 0x80070020, it is important to pinpoint what the cause is. The most probable cause of this error is due to interference. This error code most likely occurs when there is another automatic update running, for instance, an Antivirus scanning in real-time. If you’re scheduled to have an automatic update during real-time scanning, the Windows 10 update might malfunction.
Further Information and Manual Repair
In trying to fix Error Code 0x80070020, you can perform manual repair methods to resolve the issue effectively and efficiently. Most Windows users can easily employ these manual repair methods, even those who do not have technical abilities. However, there are certain instances where a Windows professional’s help is needed. If you don’t want to face any risk in resolving the issue, it would be best to consult a professional Windows technician or you can also make use of a powerful automated tool.
NOTE: It is best to attend immediately to errors encountered since unresolved errors can result in slowing down your computer’s performance. This might also cause other error messages to arise such as Error Code 0x80070057.
Method One: Restart Your Device
Since Error Code 0x80070020 is most likely encountered due to interference during your update, the easiest method you can do is to close all opened programs and restart your device. After restarting, try to start the update process again.
Method Two: Disable Antivirus Temporarily
Another quick and safe way to fix Error Code 0x80070020 is to disable your antivirus. You must take note though that in doing so, your computer will be susceptible to virus attacks. If you want to proceed with this method, follow these steps:
- Locate all programs in process in the notifications area, found in the lower right-hand section of your screen. If in case the antivirus icon is not visible on the taskbar, you may have to click an arrow pointing up to show what programs are currently running.
- Right-click on the antivirus icon then select the disable option.
Method Three: Run the Update Troubleshooter for Windows
The Windows Update Troubleshooter may resolve many of the errors encountered by Windows users when installing updates from Windows Update. To execute the troubleshooter, follow the steps below:
- Access a menu by holding the Windows key and X. Wait for the menu to appear on the bottom left corner of the screen.
- Open the Control Panel.
- Change the appearance of files by selecting large or small icons in the View by option located on the upper right section of your screen.
- Once you change the appearance of the files, choose the troubleshooting
- Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter.
- Restart your device then check if this resolves the problem.
Method Four: Execute A Clean Boot
Executing a clean boot means starting Windows using only a few resources, including startup programs and drivers. This safeguards minimizing conflicts and prevent software clash when an update is received. In performing a clean boot, you will be able to pinpoint what caused the manifestation of error code 0x80070020. Check Microsoft’s Support website to know how to execute a clean boot.
Method Five: Reset Windows Update Components
Performing this method is a bit risky and should be your last option if all methods were unsuccessful. This process will alter your device’s registry so you must ensure to perform accurately the steps. A single mistake can lead to modifying your registry erroneously, which might result in the occurrence of other error messages. Carefully follow the steps found on Microsoft’s Support website to successfully reset Windows Update components.
Resetting Windows Update components can also be done by implementing the following steps:
- Open the Command Prompt by pressing Windows Key + X. Select Command Prompt (Admin) from the menu.
- Stop the BITS, MSI Installer, Cryptographic, and the Windows Update Services.
- Rename both the SoftwareDistribution and Catroot2 folders to <name of folder> old.
- Start now the BITS, MSI Installer, Cryptographic, and the Windows Update Services.
- Exit the Command Prompt then restart your device. After restarting, try installing the updates again.
Method Six: Disable Third-Party Antivirus
A third-party antivirus such as BitDefender may recognize the Windows Update as a threat since the new update of Windows 10 is probably not yet registered with this third-party antivirus vendor. To solve this, you must disable temporarily the antivirus before performing the update. Once the third-party antivirus is disabled, you can now proceed with the updating process. Update as well your third-party antivirus.
Method Seven: Use the DISM Tool for Windows 10
The Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) is a command-line utility that is installed by default in Windows 10 system. This program is used to fix images in Windows. In the case of Error Code 0x80070020, the DISM can repair the recovery image in Windows 10 and can perform as a virtual hard disk as well.
- Scan and check files for errors.
- Open the Command Prompt by pressing Windows Key + X. Select Command Prompt (Admin) from the menu.
- Type sfc /scannow
- You can also use the following commands to check for corrupted files:
/CheckHealth – to check for corrupted files or components
/ScanHealth – to check for corrupted Windows image. This may take up to 10 minutes to finish
/RestoreHealth – to check for corrupted Windows image and do an automatic repair. This may take up to 20 to 30 minutes to finish
NOTE: In an instance where you cannot locate the good files in your computer, the system image files may be corrupted. If this happens, you need to have a copy of install.wim from a computer with good Windows 10 OS or the Windows 10 ISO file. Make sure that the source of the good files has the same language, version, and edition of your OS.
Cleaning corrupted files using DISM utility:
Enter the following commands one by one to perform the /RestoreHealth switch using the source path location of good files you copied:
- DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:repairSource install.wim
- DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:repairSource install.wim /LimitAccess
- DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:repairSource install.wim:1 /LimitAccess
For example purposes, the “repairSource” is the source of the good files.


The first thing that would pop into my mind is that I have lost tons of work and that something in my hardware has gone very wrong and it is dead. Luckily that is not the case and this error means that due to Windows update drivers were not properly transferred due to some compatibility issues, maybe it was a corrupt update file, etc. Of course, the reason could be hardware malfunction as well, but if everything was working fine before the update, it is a software issue, and I must say it is a common one and fixable. Please keep reading this guide in order to fix the Device not migrated error.
Find device inside device manager, right-click on it, and choose properties. Go to the events tab and make sure that the device has migration issues.
You have now 3 options for updating the driver, you can do it manually, automatically, or with the driver installer. We will cover all 3 options so you choose which one best suits you.
OPTION 1: Manually.
Close the Properties tab, go to the device manufacturer website and download the latest driver, if there are no drivers there, the only executable installer for the device skip this step and try the other 2. After you have downloaded the driver package from the website, right-click on the device and choose update driver.
Now navigate to the folder where you have downloaded your driver package and update the driver. Reboot your system.
OPTION 2: Automatic update.
Close the Properties tab, right-click on the device and choose to uninstall.
Once the device is uninstalled, restart your system, and Windows will automatically search and install the latest driver for the device.
OPTION 3: Via driver installer.
If you have downloaded .EXE or executable driver installer from device manufacturers web site try installing it, if the installation fails, try using compatibility mode for the installer. Navigate where the installer is located, right-click on it, and choose properties. Go to compatibility TAB and try installing it with administrator privileges in Windows 8 mode.
Reboot your system after this step.
This should solve the issues, however, if the issue still persists, follow the next steps.
The scanning process and repair of files will take around 15 min. Leave it to finish completely, do not restart, work on the computer or shut it down while the process is active, and only after it is finished reboot your system.
Go to the Windows update tab and click on DOWNLOAD or click on check for updates for the latest Windows fix.


In the run dialog, type control panel and press enter to enter control panel, locate recovery and click on it.
Inside the recovery screen click on Open System Restore.
Choose a date when everything was working in order, the best bet is the date before Windows update and roll it back.
Click on date, and then on next.
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