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Facing Windows 11 Upgrade Failure? Troubleshoot the 0x80240069 Error After the April 2025 Update
Windows 11 administrators and IT professionals managing enterprise environments have encountered a significant issue following the April 2025 cumulative security update (KB5055528). This update, intended to improve security and system stability, has unintentionally blocked upgrades to Windows 11 version 24H2 via Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), resulting in widespread frustration and deployment delays across organizations.
What Happened?
Update KB5055528, released on April 8, 2025, for Windows 11 22H2 and 23H2 (Enterprise and Education), includes essential security and quality improvements. After installing this update (or any subsequent update), systems managed by WSUS are unable to upgrade to Windows 11 24H2. The upgrade process fails with error code 0x80240069, and Windows Update logs may show messages like “Service wuauserv has unexpectedly stopped”.
Who Is Affected?
- Impacted: Enterprise and business environments using WSUS to manage Windows updates on Windows 11 22H2 or 23H2 devices.
- Not Impacted: Consumer systems and devices not managed by WSUS (such as Windows 11 Home users) are unaffected and can upgrade normally.
Key Issues Introduced by KB5055528
- Upgrade Block: Devices cannot download or install the Windows 11 24H2 feature update via WSUS after KB5055528 is installed.
- Error Code: The process fails with error 0x80240069, typically indicating broken system files or update installer issues.
- Service Interruption: Update logs may reference the Windows Update service (wuauserv) stopping unexpectedly.
- Other Known Issues: The update also creates an inetpub folder (to address a security vulnerability) and has documented problems with Citrix environments and Active Directory group policies.
Microsoft’s Response
Microsoft has acknowledged the issue and is actively investigating the root cause. No official fix is available yet, but an update is promised as soon as a solution is identified.
Temporary Workaround
A workaround has been shared by affected users and acknowledged in community discussions:
Step 1: Create a Registry File with the following content:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\FeatureManagement\Overrides\8\3000950414] "EnabledState"=dword:00000001 "EnabledStateOptions"=dword:00000000 "Variant"=dword:00000000 "VariantPayload"=dword:00000000
Step 2: Import the .reg File into the registry with administrator privileges on affected machines.
Step 3: Retry the Upgrade: The Windows 11 24H2 feature update should now be able to deploy via WSUS.
Note: Always back up the registry before making changes, and test the workaround in a controlled environment before rolling it out organization-wide.
What Should IT Administrators Do Now?
- Monitor Official Channels: Keep an eye on Microsoft’s Release Health Dashboard and support articles for updates on a permanent fix.
- Apply the Workaround: If urgent deployment is needed, use the registry workaround above, but proceed with caution.
- Communicate with Stakeholders: Inform IT teams and relevant business units about the upgrade block and expected timelines for resolution.
- Document Any Changes: Ensure all registry modifications and troubleshooting steps are well documented for compliance and future reference.
The April 2025 update has caused a critical roadblock for organizations relying on WSUS for Windows 11 upgrades. While a registry-based workaround is available, a permanent fix is still pending from Microsoft. IT professionals should stay vigilant, apply interim solutions as needed, and follow Microsoft’s updates closely to ensure a smooth transition to Windows 11 24H2.