- Software and digital services
- Operating system
0x80070570
Windows 0x80070570: update file corrupted or unreadable
Risk level
Medium
Proceed carefully and stop if the check is unclear.
Urgency
Medium
Quick answer
Windows cannot read the files it needs to install the update. Back up your files first, then clear the Windows Update cache so the update downloads again.
Safety first
Stop and check this first
- Microsoft asks you to back up the system disk before these steps. With a drive that shows read errors, every repair attempt can make data loss worse.
Safe checks you can perform
- Back up before repairing
- Clear the Windows Update cache
- Repair the component store and check files
Leave these tasks to a qualified professional
- Do not attempt this professional task: Check the system drive's integrity
- Do not attempt this professional task: Find the corrupted package in the logs
- Do not attempt this professional task: Case with Microsoft support
What a technician must be able to justify
Technician visit
These are the steps they must carry out and show you. Tick them as they work: if steps are skipped, do not accept a part swap.
These are not instructions for opening or handling the equipment yourself. They are the checks that should support a technical conclusion.
Check the system drive's integrity
What they doThe technician runs chkdsk C: /f /r with a scheduled restart, reviews the result and, if there are bad sectors, runs the drive maker's diagnostics.
They must show youthe chkdsk report and the maker's diagnostic result.
In writingwhether the drive passed and, if replaced, the part reference and reason.
Find the corrupted package in the logs
What they doThey review WindowsUpdate.log and CBS.log for entries with HRESULT 0x80070570 and the KB package name, and run sfc /verifyonly.
They must show youthe log line naming the affected package.
In writingwhich package was corrupted and which repair was applied.
Case with Microsoft support
What they doIf cache, DISM, SFC and chkdsk do not solve it, a case is opened with Microsoft support using the collected logs.
They must show youthe logs and results sent.
In writingthe case number and support's conclusion.
Before accepting a part or repair
Nothing has been shown yet. Do not accept a part swap based on the code alone.
Follow these steps
Note: Follow the documented order. An error code identifies the affected system, but it does not prove by itself which part has failed.
Back up before repairing
- Who:
- you.
- How:
- copy your documents, photos and important files to a USB drive or OneDrive before any repair.
- Result that matters:
- having your files off the system drive.
- If the copy finishes without errors:
- you can carry on with the next steps.
- If the copy shows read errors:
- stop here and hand the PC to a technician, as the drive may be failing.
- Evidence to keep:
- list of folders copied and any error the copy showed.
Evidence: Microsoft Windows Update troubleshooting · Troubleshoot Windows Update error 0x80070570
Clear the Windows Update cache
- Who:
- you, with an administrator account.
- How:
- Windows + R, services.msc, stop Windows Update, delete the contents of C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution, start the service again, restart and retry the update.
- Result that matters:
- whether the freshly downloaded update installs.
- If it installs:
- the corrupted download was the cause.
- If 0x80070570 returns:
- the damage is in the component store or on the drive.
- Evidence to keep:
- time of clearing and the result.
Evidence: Microsoft Windows Update troubleshooting · Troubleshoot Windows Update error 0x80070570
Repair the component store and check files
- Who:
- you, from a Command Prompt as administrator.
- How:
- run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth, restart and retry; if it still fails, run sfc /scannow, restart and retry.
- Result that matters:
- whether DISM or SFC report repairs and the update goes in afterwards.
- If it goes in:
- the store or system files were damaged.
- If nothing changes:
- the drive check remains, which a technician should guide.
- Evidence to keep:
- screenshot of the DISM and SFC results.
Evidence: Common Windows Update errors · Troubleshoot Windows Update error 0x80070570
Still not solved
If the error persists, stop here. See what the technician must do and show you.
Where this code applies
A code is meaningful only inside the right product and version context.
Primary scope
- System
- Software and digital services
- Brand
- Microsoft Windows
- Product type
- Operating system
Known code variants
- 0x80070570
- 80070570
- ERROR_FILE_CORRUPT
- ERROR_FILE_OR_DIRECTORY_CORRUPTED
What it means
Microsoft defines 0x80070570 (ERROR_FILE_CORRUPT, also ERROR_FILE_OR_DIRECTORY_CORRUPTED) as a corrupted, unreadable file or folder during installation. It lists five conditions: corrupted downloads in SoftwareDistribution\Download, damaged manifests or files in the WinSxS component store, a system volume with bad sectors or file system errors, security software interfering while packages are extracted, or an interrupted download. The code does not say which one: they are ruled out in the order Microsoft gives.
Warnings and stop conditions
- Highsource verified
Microsoft asks you to back up the system disk before these steps. With a drive that shows read errors, every repair attempt can make data loss worse.
Evidence: Troubleshoot Windows Update error 0x80070570
Symptoms and causes
Probable causes · in order
- Interrupted or corrupted downloadCommon
Confirmed if, after clearing the Windows Update download folder, the freshly downloaded update installs.
Evidence: Troubleshoot Windows Update error 0x80070570
- Damaged WinSxS component storePossible
If the new download fails the same way and DISM finds and repairs damage, the problem was in the component store.
Evidence: Common Windows Update errors · Troubleshoot Windows Update error 0x80070570
- Errors on the system drivePossible
If chkdsk finds bad sectors or file system errors, the drive is not letting files be read. That alone does not prove it must be replaced.
Evidence: Troubleshoot Windows Update error 0x80070570
- Security software interfering with extractionPossible
Microsoft lists it among the causes; a technician assesses it by checking which program touches the files during extraction.
Evidence: Troubleshoot Windows Update error 0x80070570
Virtual technician
Does 0x80070570 still appear after these checks?
Answer a few questions to narrow down the likely cause and the safest next action. Guidance only - it never replaces a professional.
Sources and technical references
- 1
Microsoft · 2026 · official_doc
- 2
Microsoft Windows Update troubleshooting
Microsoft · 2026 · official_doc
- 3
Troubleshoot Windows Update error 0x80070570
Microsoft · 2026 · official_doc
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