How to Resolve Windows 10/11 Error Code 0x8007012F

Regularly updating your computer is crucial in safeguarding it against potential cyber threats. With the increasing number of people working from home, the risk of malware attacks has risen significantly. By staying up to date with system updates, you can enhance your computer’s security and protect it from hackers looking to exploit vulnerabilities.

Installing updates should be a lot easier in Windows 10/11 via Windows Update, but that is not the case most of the time. There’s a wide range of Windows Update errors that users encounter, with most of them common errors that are easier to deal with.

But have you encountered Windows 10/11 error code 0x8007012F? This error is one for the books because it is not something that a lot of Windows users encounter when installing updates. You’ve probably scoured the internet for answers, but found scarce information regarding the error code 0x8007012F resolution. So if you’re looking for ways to deal with Windows 10/11 error code 0x8007012F, you’ve come to the right place.

What Is Windows 10/11 Error Code 0x8007012F?

Error code 0x8007012F is a Windows Update problem, which means that the error happens whenever you try to install updates on your computer. It can pop up when you are installing app updates, system updates, or feature updates.

Here are some of the error messages you might encounter:

There were some problems installing updates, but we’ll try again later. If you keep seeing this and want to search the web or contact support for information, this may help: (0x8007012F)

The operation has failed
The file cannot be opened because it is in the process of being deleted.
Error code: 0x8007012F

The error messages are not actually very useful, particularly the first one, because it does not provide information about what caused the error. If you get the second message, you’ll probably be more confused because it says the file is being deleted. Why would it be deleted when you’re installing updates?

Now this has caused a lot of confusion among Windows users and Microsoft has not offered any solution to this error. It has been around during the early days of Windows 10/11 and there are no clear solutions to this problem.

What’s more confusing about this error is that it usually happens when the updates have been downloaded completely and the installation progress has reached 100%. The error message then pops up saying that the download has failed, even though the dialog says that the updates are already being installed. If that isn’t annoying, then what is?

Causes of Windows 10/11 Error Code 0x8007012F

When you install updates on your computer, a lot of factors are at play. When something goes wrong with any of those factors, it results in an error. When you have poor internet connection, the files won’t be downloaded completely or they may become corrupted. Another element that could affect the integrity of your installation files is the presence of malware.

A super strict firewall or security software may also prevent the updates from downloading to your device. These security features manage incoming traffic to your computer and they filter what’s coming in. If they are overprotective, you might encounter issues when downloading the updates.

But the main reason why this error occurs is because of the old installer files present on your computer. Maybe the update was interrupted at some point and you downloaded another copy of the installer files without completely deleting the old files. In this case, Windows Update does not recognize the new files, but the original download folder instead. Hence, you will keep on getting this error unless you remove the old downloads first.

How to Fix Error Code 0x8007012F on Windows 10/11

Finding a working error code 0x8007012F resolution can be troublesome. You need to try several solutions before finding the right one. But before you work down our list below, you should give these general fixes first:

• Switch to a different internet connection. Connect via cable if possible. If not, try to move your computer or laptop in the same room as your router/modem.
• Scan for malware and get rid of junk files using Outbyte PC Repair. Not only will this remove these nasty elements from your computer, you’ll also be making more space for the downloading of the updates.
• Reboot your computer. Starting with a fresh system helps eliminate temporary glitches that might be getting in the way of the update process.

These steps should help prep your computer for the troubleshooting process, if it does not get rid of the error. Should they not work, you can proceed to the steps below.

Solution #1: Run the SFC Tool.

The System File Checker is a built-in utility designed to scan, repair, or restore corrupted system files on Windows 10/11. So if the Windows 10/11 error code 0x8007012F is being triggered by corrupted installation files or Windows Update service, running this tool should fix it. To run this tool, open Command Prompt with administrator privileges, and enter the command: sfc /scannow.

If the SFC tool does not work, you need to run a deeper scan using Deployment Image Servicing and Management or DISM tool. It works just like SFC, just that the scope of the scan is bigger and deeper. The commands you can use for DISM include:

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

Just let the tool run its course because it will automatically try to repair any corrupted files detected during the scan.

Solution #2: Reset Windows Update Service.

Since this error is caused mostly by old download files, you need to reset the Windows Update components and rename the download folder to something else, so that a new Windows Update folder is generated. By renaming the old folder, your computer will no longer recognize it and will instead refer to the fresh folder.

To do this:

1. Open Command Prompt and run it as an admin.
2. In the console window, type the following commands, followed by hitting Enter after each line:
   • net stop bits
   • net stop wuauserv
3. Next, enter the following command to delete the qmgr*.dat files:
   Del “%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application
   Data\Microsoft\Network\Downloader\qmgr*.dat”
4. Press Enter to execute.
5. Rename the Software Distribution folder using the following commands:
   • Ren %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore *.bak
   • Ren %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution\Download *.bak
   • Ren %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 *.bak
6. Then, reset the BITS service as well as the Windows Update service to their default security descriptor using the commands below:
   • sc.exe sdset bits
     D:(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;SY)(A;;CCDCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRSDRCWDWO;;;BA)(A;;CCLCSWLOCRRC;;;AU)(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;PU)
   • sc.exe sdset wuauserv
     D:(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;SY)(A;;CCDCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRSDRCWDWO;;;BA)(A;;CCLCSWLOCRRC;;;AU)(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;PU)
7. Next, type in the following command to open the System 32 folder: cd /d %windir%\system32
8. You need to re-register the Windows Update components using these commands:
   • regsvr32.exe atl.dll
   • regsvr32.exe urlmon.dll
   • regsvr32.exe mshtml.dll
   • regsvr32.exe shdocvw.dll
   • regsvr32.exe browseui.dll
   • regsvr32.exe jscript.dll
   • regsvr32.exe vbscript.dll
   • regsvr32.exe scrrun.dll
   • regsvr32.exe msxml.dll
   • regsvr32.exe msxml3.dll
   • regsvr32.exe msxml6.dll
   • regsvr32.exe actxprxy.dll
   • regsvr32.exe softpub.dll
   • regsvr32.exe wintrust.dll
   • regsvr32.exe dssenh.dll
   • regsvr32.exe rsaenh.dll
   • regsvr32.exe gpkcsp.dll
   • regsvr32.exe sccbase.dll
   • regsvr32.exe slbcsp.dll
   • regsvr32.exe cryptdlg.dll
   • regsvr32.exe oleaut32.dll
   • regsvr32.exe ole32.dll
   • regsvr32.exe shell32.dll
   • regsvr32.exe initpki.dll
   • regsvr32.exe wuapi.dll
   • regsvr32.exe wuaueng.dll
   • regsvr32.exe wuaueng1.dll
   • regsvr32.exe wucltui.dll
   • regsvr32.exe wups.dll
   • regsvr32.exe wups2.dll
   • regsvr32.exe wuweb.dll
   • regsvr32.exe qmgr.dll
   • regsvr32.exe qmgrprxy.dll
   • regsvr32.exe wucltux.dll
   • regsvr32.exe muweb.dll
   • regsvr32.exe wuwebv.dll
9. Reset Winsock using this line: netsh winsock reset
10. Set the proxy settings as well: proxycfg.exe -d
11. Restart Windows Update using these commands:
    • net start bits
    • net start wuauserv

Solution #3: Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter.

If you still can’t get rid of the error after resetting everything, you can run the built-in troubleshooter by going to the Troubleshoot Settings. Scroll down on the right panel, then click Windows Update > Run the troubleshooter. This tool will scan your computer for whatever issues you’re experiencing when running Windows Update and hopefully fix it for you.

If All Else Fails

Your last option would be to do a clean install of Windows 10/11, if all the steps above don’t help. It may mean more work for you, but at least it will resolve any Windows Update you might be having. This is actually necessary if you encounter the Windows 10/11 error code 0x8007012F for every update you want to install. But if the issue is not too serious, the solutions above should help in some way.