Partition Recovery™
An expert tool for recovering lost partitions
An expert tool for recovering lost partitions
Last updated: Aug 26, 2021

What to do if you get the potential Windows Update database error detected message

Here you will find out:

  • what a “potential Windows Update database error detected” error is
  • how to fix this error
  • how DiskInternals Partition Recovery can help you

Are you ready? Let's read!

What is a “potential Windows Update database error detected” error?

You will likely get the "potential Windows Update database error detected" message when trying to update a Windows Update file. It simply implies that Windows is unable to detect or read the C:/Windows folder. Windows' inability to read this folder could be due to a malware attack or bad registry entries.

How to fix this error


Method 1: Refresh your PC without affecting your files

Refreshing your computer can help fix the "potential Windows update database error detected not fixed" error on your Windows 10 PC. This fix is achievable via the Windows "Settings" page.

Steps:

  • Open the Windows Settings page by pressing Windows key + I on the keyboard.
  • Click on the "Search" bar and search for Refresh.
  • Select "Reset this PC" from the search results.
  • Click on the "Get Started" button under the "Reset this PC" section.
  • Follow the onscreen instructions to refresh your PC in order to fix the current issue you're facing.

Refreshing/resetting a computer can take up to 20 minutes or more. After the reset is complete, reboot the computer and check for the error again.

Method 2: Run SFC scan

SFC scan has been one of the ways to fix most issues with Windows. It runs through the Command Prompt when the current user has Admin privileges.

Steps:

  • Choose "Command Prompt (Admin)" from the WinX menu (press Windows key + X to open the menu).
  • Enter the SFC command when the command prompt launches: SFC /scannow
  • Press the Enter key on the keyboard to run this command. It takes quite a lot of time for this command to execute completely, so you've got to wait. After the SFC scan completes, it is recommended to run the DISM command. The DISM command also runs through the Command Prompt.
  • Enter the command: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

As with SFC, DISM takes time to run. You'll need to be patient. Restart the computer after SFC and DISM have run successfully.

Method 3: Run Troubleshooter

Still looking for how to get around the "Windows update database" error? The built-in8 Windows troubleshooting utility can help you out.

Steps:

  • Launch the Windows Control Panel by pressing Windows Key + R and enter "Control" into the bar, then hit the "Run" button.
  • On the control panel page, lookout or search for "Troubleshooting," click on it.
  • Click on the "View all" link at the left pane (it is the first option).
  • Now, select "Windows Update" from the list (usually the last entry).
  • Windows Update database error registration is missing or corrupt.
  • Double click on "Windows Update" and follow the onscreen instructions to run the troubleshooter for Windows update errors.

Restart the PC after the troubleshooting is complete.

Restore corrupted partitions easily

It is possible to restore corrupted partitions or retrieve lost/deleted ones; all you need is DiskInternals Partition Recovery. It is an advanced Windows software that allows you to recover lost or corrupted partitions and files seamlessly. It features an intuitive interface with a wizard to guide you through the data recovery processes.

Interestingly, DiskInternals Partition Recovery supports three data recovery modes meant to retrieve data lost due to several scenarios, including OS crashes, hard disk failure, malware attacks, etc. DiskInternals Partition Recovery is the ultimate solution to getting back your lost partition with all the files inside.

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