Emily Bennett
How To Fix Windows 11 Update KB5060842 Installation Error Code 0x80073712
If Windows Update just refuses to cooperate and throws the infamous 0x80073712 error with KB5060842, you’re definitely not the only one. It’s kind of annoying, especially when everything looks fine but still no luck. Been there, done that. Here’s a mix of tried-and-true methods that might actually get that update installed.
Before diving in, make sure your internet’s solid — no flaky Wi-Fi — and that you’ve got admin rights. And a quick backup if stuff goes sideways. Because why not?
Step 1: Start the App Readiness Service
This service can kinda mess with update files if it’s not running. On one setup it worked just by starting this, on another… not so much. Just something to check.
- Hit Windows + S and type services. Open the Services app.
- Scroll to App Readiness. Double-click it.
- Change Startup type to Automatic. If the service isn’t started, hit Start and then OK.
This helps ensure the service that handles app installs and updates isn’t dead in the water, which can cause that error code.
Step 2: Move or Delete the $WinREAgent Folder
This folder occasionally gets corrupt or stuck, causing update errors. Moving it out of the way can sometimes fix it.
- Open File Explorer and go to This PC > C:.
- Toggle on Hidden items in the View tab so you can see system folders.
- Look for
$WinREAgent. If you find it, copy it somewhere safe first — just in case — onto your desktop. Then delete the original. - Retry the update after this. Sometimes Windows spikes a fuss over that folder.
Not sure why it works, but after removing or moving that folder, updates tend to go a little smoother.
Step 3: Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter
If Windows’ built-in fixer-upper can’t do its thing automatically, that’s kinda suspicious. Still, it’s easy to try:
- Press Windows + I to open Settings.
- Head over to System > Troubleshoot, then Other troubleshooters.
- Find Windows Update and hit Run.
- Follow the prompts, maybe let it do its thing, then restart.
On some machines, this fixes stuff right away. On others, it’s a good starting point.
Step 4: Restart the Windows Update & BITS services
Make sure these services are up and running properly because, of course, Windows has to make it harder than necessary:
- Open Services again.
- Find Windows Update. Double-click, set to Automatic. If it’s not running, click Start.
- Same for Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS). Double-click, set to Automatic, start if needed.
They handle downloading updates, so if they’re broken, no wonder you get that 0x80073712 error. Sometimes a simple restart of these services does wonders.
Step 5: Use the Windows 11 Installation Assistant
This tool is like telling Windows, “Hey, I want you to do a clean-ish update,” without jumping into full reinstall territory.
- Go to the Windows 11 Installation Assistant page.
- Hit Download Now and run the
.exefile. - Follow prompts — it’ll check your system and try to upgrade providing all looks good. Works better if you’re not in a hurry.
On some machines this bypasses the stubborn error. Not foolproof, but worth a shot.
Step 6: Manually Download the Update from Microsoft Update Catalog
If automatic tools just flat out refuse to work, manually installing the update sometimes works — especially if your system can’t grab it automatically.
- Visit the Microsoft Update Catalog.
- Search for
KB5060842. - Pick the version matching your system architecture. (Right-click the setup file, choose Properties to confirm, or check in System Info.)
- Download, run the installer, and follow instructions.
This is a bit more hands-on but sometimes the only way if Windows Update just refuses to cooperate.
Step 7: Reset Windows Update Components Manually
This is kinda intense but resetting all the update bits can clear out the garbage:
Open Notepad and paste this:
SC config trustedinstaller start=auto net stop bits net stop wuauserv net stop msiserver net stop cryptsvc net stop appidsvc Ren %Systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old Ren %Systemroot%\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old regsvr32.exe /s atl.dll regsvr32.exe /s urlmon.dll regsvr32.exe /s mshtml.dll netsh winsock reset netsh winsock reset proxy rundll32.exe pnpclean.dll,RunDLL_PnpClean /DRIVERS /MAXCLEAN dism /Online /Cleanup-image /ScanHealth dism /Online /Cleanup-image /CheckHealth dism /Online /Cleanup-image /RestoreHealth dism /Online /Cleanup-image /StartComponentCleanup sfc /scannow net start bits net start wuauserv net start msiserver net start cryptsvc net start appidsvc
Save it as Wufix.bat on your desktop. Right-click, run as administrator — go make coffee or whatever while it does its thing. After it finishes, restart.
Step 8: Try the Windows Media Creation Tool
If nothing else works and you want to reset things without losing your files, the Media Creation Tool can help you reinstall or upgrade Windows directly:
- Grab it from the Windows 11 Media Creation Tool page.
- Run it, follow instructions, create a bootable USB or just upgrade directly.
- Important: choose the option to upgrade your current Windows — should keep most apps and data intact.
This is more heavy-duty, but sometimes it’s the only way to fix stubborn update errors.
Extra Tips & Common Issues
Make sure your disk isn’t almost full — Windows hates being tight on space. Also, if you’ve got antivirus or security software, temporarily disable it; sometimes they block updates. And yeah, a restart after all these steps can help “settle” things.
Summary
- Start the App Readiness service.
- Clear or move the
$WinREAgentfolder. - Run the Windows Update troubleshooter.
- Ensure services like WUSA and BITS are running properly.
- Use the Installation Assistant or manually install KBs from the Catalog.
- Reset Windows Update components if all else fails.
- As a last resort, try the Media Creation Tool for a fresh upgrade.
Hopefully this shaves off a few hours for someone.