Article ID: 952032 - Last Review: October 22, 2009 - Revision: 4.0

You receive error 0x80070103 when you use the Windows Update or Microsoft Update Web sites to install updates

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SYMPTOMS

When you visit the Windows Update Web site or the Microsoft Update Web site to download the latest update for hardware drivers, and then you click install the updated driver, you may receive the following error message:
Error 0x80070103

CAUSE

This issue occurs if the following scenarios are true:
  • Windows Update or Microsoft Update tries to install a driver a second time for an additional piece of identical hardware such as a graphics adapter.
  • Windows Update or Microsoft Update tries to update a currently installed driver to an unsuitable version of that driver.

RESOLUTION

This issue can be safely ignored. However, the driver may be offered again by Windows Update in the future. To hide the update so that it is not offered again, follow these steps, depending on your operating system:

For Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003

  1. Visit the Microsoft Update Web site:
    http://update.microsoft.com (http://update.microsoft.com)
  2. After the scan for updates is complete, click Custom on the Welcome page.
  3. In the navigation pane, click Hardware, Optional. Then, the Update client displays the available updates on the Select Optional Hardware Updates page.
  4. Expand the second update for the graphics card, and then click to select the Don't show this update again check box.
  5. Click Review and install updates.
  6. Verify that the second update for the graphics card is not present, and then click Install Updates.

For Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, and Windows 7

  1. Click Start, click All Programs, and then click Windows Update.
  2. Click Check for updates.
  3. After the scan for updates is complete, click the Optional updates are available link.
  4. In the Select the updates you want to install section, right-click the update that you want to hide, and then click Hide update.
  5. Click OK.
  6. Click Install Updates to install any additional updates that are selected. If no other updates are selected, close Windows Update.

MORE INFORMATION

Windows Update and Microsoft Update may try to install duplicate hardware drivers because they detect two distinct graphics cards in the computer, even though the graphics cards use the same graphics adapter. In this case, one copy of the driver is successfully installed before you receive the error message.

APPLIES TO
  • Microsoft Update
  • Microsoft Windows Update
Keywords: 
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