0x80073712 Component Store Corruption: Repair Without Reinstalling

When Windows throws error 0x80073712, it’s telling you the component store (WinSxS) that Windows uses to install, service, and update components is corrupt or missing files. This issue most often appears during Windows Update, Feature on Demand installs (like .NET Framework 3.5), or cumulative/security updates. It’s critical to fix because it blocks security patches and feature updates, potentially leaving your system vulnerable or unstable.

This guide goes far beyond generic advice. It provides a structured, step-by-step path to repair 0x80073712 without reinstalling Windows, using tools built into Windows and trusted methods. You’ll find quick checks, deeper diagnostics, and advanced recovery options—plus prevention tips to keep the component store healthy.

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Understanding the Error

Error 0x80073712 translates to “ERROR_SXS_COMPONENT_STORE_CORRUPT.” In plain language: Windows can’t complete an install/update because the internal repository of system components (the Component Store in the WinSxS folder) is corrupted, incomplete, or out of sync.

The Component Store is used by Windows Servicing (CBS/TrustedInstaller) and the Servicing Stack to add, remove, or update Windows components. When it’s damaged, operations like Windows Update, adding .NET Framework features, or installing cumulative updates can fail with 0x80073712.

Typical scenarios where you might see 0x80073712:

During Windows Update (especially cumulative updates, language packs, .NET updates)
When enabling optional features (e.g., .NET Framework 3.5, Hyper-V)
When a prior update was interrupted (power loss, forced shutdown)
After disk errors or abrupt crashes have corrupted system files
In environments using WSUS where repair content isn’t accessible

Why it’s critical to fix:

You can be blocked from receiving security updates
Servicing operations (including features and drivers) may fail unpredictably
Over time, more updates can fail, compounding the problem

Quick Reference Table

Cause	Symptom	Recommended Fix
Corrupted Component Store (WinSxS)	0x80073712 during Windows Update or feature install	Run SFC and DISM: sfc /scannow; DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Missing repair content (WSUS/limited internet)	DISM fails with “source files not found”	Use ISO as source with DISM /Source:WIM or ESD and /LimitAccess
Interrupted prior update (pending actions)	Stuck updates, “pending” state	DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RevertPendingActions and reset Windows Update components
Outdated Servicing Stack Update (SSU)	Updates repeatedly fail	Manually install latest SSU then retry updates
Disk errors or bad sectors	SFC/DISM fail repeatedly	chkdsk /scan or chkdsk /r; check SMART; replace failing drive if needed
Third-party antivirus interference	Update/download failures, timeouts	Temporarily disable/uninstall AV; retry DISM/updates
Insufficient disk space	Updates fail mid-way, error codes vary	Free space on system drive and system reserved partition
Mismatched source media	DISM with source fails (0x800f081f)	Use ISO matching exact build, edition, language, and architecture
Policy blocks repair content	Feature install fails (e.g., .NET 3.5)	Enable “Contact Windows Update directly” in Group Policy for component repair
Corrupted SoftwareDistribution/Catroot2	Updates stuck or fail to download/install	Reset Windows Update components and clear these folders

Common Causes

Corrupted or missing Component Store files (WinSxS/CBS)
Interrupted or failed servicing operations (pending actions that never complete)
Outdated or broken Servicing Stack Update (SSU)
Disk errors or sudden power loss causing file corruption
Third-party antivirus/endpoint protection locking system files
Feature install requiring external repair content (e.g., .NET 3.5) not available
Group Policy/WSUS preventing Windows from downloading repair content
Using the wrong ISO or source files for DISM repairs (wrong build/edition)
Insufficient free disk space on the system drive or system reserved partition

Preliminary Checks

Boot into Safe Mode (if needed)

If updates fail repeatedly or tools won’t run, try repairs from Safe Mode to minimize interference:

Hold Shift and click Restart > Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart > press 4 (Enable Safe Mode) or 5 (Safe Mode with Networking).
Or run msconfig > Boot tab > check Safe boot > Minimal, apply, restart. Remember to undo afterward.

Back up important data

Before major repairs, back up your user data. While the steps here are non-destructive, system repairs always carry some risk.

Basic health checks

Ensure stable internet (for online DISM/updates).
Confirm time/date is correct (Settings > Time & language).
Free disk space: ideally 10–20 GB free on C:.
Run disk and system file checks:
- Open an elevated Command Prompt (Run as administrator) and execute:
  
  chkdsk C: /scan
  sfc /scannow
- If SFC reports errors it cannot fix, proceed to DISM in the next section.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting

Follow these steps in order. Stop once the error is resolved.

Reset Windows Update components and services

This clears corrupted caches and resets servicing state.

Run these commands in an elevated Command Prompt:

net stop wuauserv
net stop cryptSvc
net stop bits
net stop msiserver

ren %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
ren %systemroot%\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old

net start wuauserv
net start cryptSvc
net start bits
net start msiserver

Optional: Ensure the Windows Modules Installer (TrustedInstaller) is available:

sc config trustedinstaller start= demand

Run System File Checker

Repairs system files using the component store.

sfc /scannow

If SFC now reports “Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations,” retry Windows Update. If not, continue.

Use DISM to assess and repair the Component Store (online)

Check and repair the store. These can take time—be patient.

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

If RestoreHealth completes, run:

sfc /scannow

Try updates again. If DISM fails with “source files could not be found” or similar (0x800f081f), use the offline source method below.

Repair with a matching ISO source (offline DISM)

Use media that matches your exact Windows version, edition, language, and architecture.

Steps:

Download the ISO for your current build (use the Microsoft site or Volume Licensing Service Center as appropriate).
Mount the ISO (right-click > Mount). Note the drive letter (e.g., E:).
Find the correct index in install.wim or install.esd:

DISM /Get-WimInfo /WimFile:E:\sources\install.wim

Identify the index for your edition (e.g., Pro, Home).
Run RestoreHealth using the source and limit online access:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:WIM:E:\sources\install.wim:INDEX /LimitAccess

Replace INDEX with the number you found.

If your ISO has install.esd instead of install.wim:

DISM /Get-WimInfo /WimFile:E:\sources\install.esd
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:ESD:E:\sources\install.esd:INDEX /LimitAccess

Afterward:

sfc /scannow

Retry Windows Update.

Clear pending actions and retry
If updates were interrupted, pending actions can block repairs.

Revert pending actions:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RevertPendingActions
Reboot and run:

sfc /scannow
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Clean up superseded components and analyze the store

Helps reduce complexity and remove obsolete packages.

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /AnalyzeComponentStore
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup

Optional, advanced:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup /ResetBase

Note: /ResetBase makes current components permanent (you cannot uninstall existing updates afterward). Use with care.

Install the latest Servicing Stack Update (SSU) and Cumulative Update (CU) manually

If Windows Update is stuck, install SSU/CU from the Microsoft Update Catalog.

Steps:

Identify your OS build (Win+R > winver).
Download the latest SSU for your build/edition/architecture.
Install the SSU, reboot.
Download/install the latest CU, reboot.
Run:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
sfc /scannow

Ensure Windows can download repair content (Group Policy)
If you’re installing features like .NET 3.5:

Open gpedit.msc > Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System.
Open “Specify settings for optional component installation and component repair.”
Set to Enabled and check “Contact Windows Update directly to download repair content…”
Apply, then retry DISM/feature install.

For WSUS environments: Temporarily set the Windows Update policy to allow contacting Microsoft directly for repair content (coordinate with your IT policy).

Temporarily disable third‑party antivirus

Some security tools lock system files. Temporarily disable or uninstall, then:

sfc /scannow
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Re-enable AV after successful repair.

Check disks thoroughly if corruption persists

A failing drive can repeatedly corrupt files.

From elevated Command Prompt:

chkdsk C: /f

You’ll be prompted to schedule at next boot. Accept, reboot, let it complete. Also check SMART status with your drive manufacturer’s utility or:

PowerShell: Get-PhysicalDisk | Select FriendlyName,HealthStatus,OperationalStatus

If disk issues are found, back up immediately and replace the drive before retrying repairs.

In-place repair upgrade (repair install) — no data loss

This is not a full reinstall; it refreshes Windows system files while keeping your apps and data.

Steps:

Mount a matching Windows ISO.
Run setup.exe from the mounted ISO.
Choose “Keep personal files and apps.”
Complete the repair install, then run:

sfc /scannow
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth

Try Windows Update again.

Minidump Analysis (optional and situational)

This section is primarily for Blue Screen analysis and is not required for fixing 0x80073712. However, if you also experience BSODs, they may indicate underlying disk or memory issues causing component corruption.

Enable and find minidumps:
- Control Panel > System > Advanced system settings > Startup and Recovery > Settings > Write debugging information: Small memory dump (256 KB). Dumps are in C:\Windows\Minidump.
Use BlueScreenView (simple) or WinDbg (advanced) to inspect crashes for disk or memory drivers.
If crashes implicate storage or RAM, prioritize hardware diagnostics (CHKDSK, SMART, MemTest86) to stop recurring corruption.

Advanced Diagnostics

Use Event Viewer to pinpoint servicing failures

Open Event Viewer > Windows Logs > Setup.
Look for events around update failures (CBS, Servicing). Note package names and error codes.
Also check Applications and Services Logs > Microsoft > Windows > WindowsUpdateClient and CBS.
Review C:\Windows\Logs\CBS\CBS.log and C:\Windows\Logs\DISM\dism.log for lines referencing 0x80073712 or “manifest missing.”
- To extract SFC details:
  
  findstr /c:”[SR]” %windir%\Logs\CBS\CBS.log > “%userprofile%\Desktop\sfcdetails.txt”

Driver Verifier (only if you’re also debugging BSODs)

Caution: Driver Verifier can cause intentional stress and BSODs; use only to catch faulty third-party drivers.
Enable:

verifier /standard /all

Reboot and use normally. If BSODs occur, analyze dumps, then disable:

verifier /reset

This tool is not needed to repair 0x80073712 directly, but can help diagnose underlying causes of corruption.

Post-Fix Checklist

After repairs, confirm system stability and servicing health:

Run:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
sfc /scannow

Expect “No component store corruption detected” and “did not find any integrity violations.”
Open Windows Update and install pending updates successfully.
Event Viewer > Setup and WindowsUpdateClient should show successful installs without new errors.
Re-run CHKDSK (or chkdsk /scan) and confirm no file system errors.
Check Reliability Monitor (type “Reliability Monitor” in Start) for a stable score with no repeated Windows failures.

When to Seek Professional Help

DISM and SFC repeatedly fail even with a matching ISO source.
You encounter persistent errors like 0x800f081f despite correct source matching build/edition/language.
CHKDSK or SMART indicates disk errors or bad sectors—replace the disk.
Enterprise systems with WSUS or specific policies that you cannot change—contact IT.
You cannot boot normally or into Safe Mode, and WinRE repairs fail—consider professional data recovery and service.

Prevention Tips

Keep Windows current: install Servicing Stack Updates (SSU) and cumulative updates regularly.
Maintain sufficient free space on the system drive; avoid filling C: to near 100%.
Avoid aggressive “registry cleaners” or tools that delete “large Windows folders”—never manually delete WinSxS contents.
Use a UPS or battery power during updates to prevent sudden shutdowns.
Schedule periodic component cleanup:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup
Back up regularly (File History, system images, or third-party tools).
Avoid mixing sources: use repair media that matches your exact build/edition/language/architecture.
In managed environments, ensure policy “Contact Windows Update directly for repair content” is enabled when needed for Features on Demand.

Conclusion

Error 0x80073712 signals component store corruption—but in most cases, you can fix it without reinstalling Windows. Start with SFC and DISM, reset Windows Update components, and, if needed, use a matching ISO as a repair source. Clearing pending actions, installing the latest SSU/CU manually, and performing an in-place repair upgrade are proven paths to recovery. With the post-fix checks and prevention practices above, you can restore reliability and keep future updates running smoothly.

You’ve got this—and if a step doesn’t work the first time, move methodically to the next. Most systems can be repaired successfully with the tools in this guide.

FAQ

What does error 0x80073712 mean in Windows Update?

It means the Windows Component Store (WinSxS) is corrupt or missing files. Windows servicing cannot find the correct components/manifests to complete the update. Run SFC and DISM to repair, and use a matching ISO source if DISM can’t find repair files online.

How long should DISM /RestoreHealth take?

Anywhere from a few minutes to over an hour, depending on system speed, health, and whether it must download repair content. If it seems stuck, give it time—progress sometimes jumps in larger increments.

DISM says “The source files could not be found” (0x800f081f). What now?

Use a matching ISO for your exact Windows version, edition, language, and architecture. Mount the ISO and run DISM with /Source pointing to install.wim or install.esd plus the correct index, along with /LimitAccess.

Is an in-place repair upgrade the same as reinstalling?

No. A repair install (in-place upgrade) refreshes Windows system files while keeping your apps and data. It’s a safe, effective last step before considering a full reinstall.

Can I delete the WinSxS folder to fix this?

No. Deleting WinSxS contents breaks servicing and can make recovery harder. Use DISM’s cleanup commands (StartComponentCleanup) and repair steps in this guide instead.

Stay patient and methodical, and you’ll resolve 0x80073712 without a full reinstall. If you need help at any point, feel free to ask for assistance with your specific build, logs, or error messages.

0x80073712 Component Store Corruption: Repair Without Reinstalling

Understanding the Error

Quick Reference Table

Common Causes