Error message when you try to download an update from Windows Update or from Microsoft Update in Windows XP or Windows Vista: "0x80070020 The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process"
Important This article contains information that shows you how to help lower security settings or how to turn off security features on a computer. You can make these changes to work around a specific problem. Before you make these changes, we recommend that you evaluate the risks that are associated with implementing this workaround in your particular environment. If you implement this workaround, take any appropriate additional steps to help protect the computer. On This PageSummaryWhen you try to download an update from Windows Update Web site or from the Microsoft Update Web site, you receive an error message that tells you that the process cannot access the update file because it is being used by another process. This article contains step-by-step methods that you can use to resolve this issue and successfully download Windows updates. This article is intended for a beginning to intermediate computer user.You may find it easier to follow the steps if you print this article first. Symptoms of the problemWhen you try to download an update from the Windows Update
Web site or from the Microsoft Update Web site while you are using Windows XP or Windows Vista, you receive the following error message: 0x80070020 The process cannot access the file because it is being
used by another process. CAUSETypically, this problem occurs because a program is interfering with the automatic update process. For example, this problem may occur with some antivirus programs that use real-time scanning. Antivirus programs that use real-time scanning can interfere with the automatic update process. Methods to resolve the problemProblems with installing Windows updates can occur when Windows Update and another program both try to access the same file. Although many programs can cause this issue to occur, the most common are antivirus programs and programs that perform real-time backups of system files. This section contains several methods that may help you resolve the problem. Complete the steps in each method, and then try again to install the updates. If the issue is not resolved, go to the next method and complete those steps before trying to install the updates again. Method 1: Perform a clean boot of your computer and then install the updateTo perform a clean boot of your computer, follow the appropriate steps for your version of Windows. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:310353 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353/)
How to configure Windows XP to start in a "clean boot" state
To manually perform a clean boot of your computer in Windows XP, follow these steps:
310353 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353/) How to configure Windows XP to start in a "clean boot" state
Method 2: Temporarily disable spyware and antivirus software.Warning This workaround may make a computer or a network more vulnerable to attack by malicious users or by malicious software such as viruses. We do not recommend this workaround but are providing this information so that you can implement this workaround at your own discretion. Use this workaround at your own risk.To disable your antivirus or antispyware software, follow these steps:
Method 3: Temporarily disable any firewallsWarning This workaround may make a computer or a network more vulnerable to attack by malicious users or by malicious software such as viruses. We do not recommend this workaround but are providing this information so that you can implement this workaround at your own discretion. Use this workaround at your own risk.Disable the Windows Firewall in Windows XPTo temporarily disable Windows Firewall in Windows XP, follow these steps:
Disable Windows Vista FirewallTo temporarily disable the firewall in Windows Vista, follow these steps:
Remember to turn your firewall back on. A firewall helps protect your computer from attack by malicious users or by malicious software. Malicious software includes viruses that use unsolicited incoming network traffic to attack your computer. Method 4: Restart your computer, and then make sure that Windows Automatic Updates is not runningIf you try to install updates by using the Microsoft Update or Windows Update Web site, and Automatic Updates is running, you may receive an error message. In this scenario, two instances of the update process can be running at the same time and cause a conflict which one another. To avoid this issue, restart your computer, make sure that Automatic Updates is not running on your desktop, and then run Microsoft Update or Windows Update. You can determine whether Automatic Updates is running by looking for its icon in the notification area at the lower right of your screen.Advanced troubleshootingThis section is intended for advanced computer users. If you are not comfortable with advanced troubleshooting, you might want to ask someone for help or contact support. For more information about how to contact Microsoft support, visit the following Microsoft Web site: http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/
(http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/) Method 5: Start your computer in safe mode with network support and install the update.Start your computer in safe mode in Windows XPTo start your computer in safe mode in Windows XP, follow these steps:
Start your computer in safe mode in Windows VistaTo start your computer in safe mode in Windows Vista, follow these steps:
STATUSMicrosoft
has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed
in the "Applies to" section. APPLIES TO
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