Microsoft Windows Error Code 0x80073701: How to Fix It

Medium 30-90 minutes Medium Severity Verified July 2026
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Error Code
0x80073701
Brand
Microsoft Windows
Product Type
operating_system
Severity
Medium
DIY Difficulty
Medium
Estimated Fix Time
30-90 minutes
Windows error code 0x80073701 means that a required assembly component is missing or corrupted in the Windows Side-by-Side (SxS) store, which is the system library Windows Update relies on to install and manage components. This typically appears when running Windows Update and signals that the update cannot be applied because one or more prerequisite files are damaged or absent. The good news is that this is usually fixable without reinstalling Windows using built-in repair tools like DISM and SFC.
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Tools You'll Need

How to Fix Error Code 0x80073701

  1. Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter

    Save all open work before running the troubleshooter, as it may restart Windows Update services mid-session.

  2. Run DISM to Repair the Windows Component Store

    Your PC must be connected to the internet during this step. Do not interrupt the process or shut down your computer while DISM is running — doing so can cause additional corruption.

  3. Run SFC to Repair System Files

  4. Reset Windows Update Components Manually

    Type each command carefully. Renaming the wrong folders can disrupt Windows services. If you make a mistake, you can rename the folders back by replacing '.old' with the original name.

  5. Install the Failing Update Manually via Microsoft Update Catalog

    Only download updates directly from catalog.update.microsoft.com (the official Microsoft site). Never download Windows updates from third-party websites.

  6. Check Windows Event Viewer for Specific Component Errors

  7. Perform a Windows In-Place Upgrade (Last Resort Before Reinstall)

    Back up all important personal files to an external drive or cloud storage before performing an in-place upgrade, even though it is designed to preserve your data. Power outages or unexpected interruptions during the upgrade can result in data loss.
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When to Call a Professional

Contact a professional PC technician or Microsoft Support if: (1) DISM repeatedly fails with errors even with a working internet connection, suggesting severe hardware-level disk corruption; (2) SFC consistently reports files it cannot repair after multiple DISM runs; (3) the in-place upgrade fails to complete or causes boot issues; (4) your hard drive or SSD is showing signs of physical failure (clicking sounds, frequent freezes, or errors in Disk Management). A technician can perform advanced diagnostics, replace a failing storage drive, and perform a clean Windows installation with data recovery if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes Windows error 0x80073701?
Error 0x80073701 (ERROR_SXS_ASSEMBLY_MISSING) is caused by corruption or missing files in the Windows Side-by-Side (WinSxS) component store. This can happen due to interrupted Windows updates, disk errors, malware, sudden power loss during an update, or overly aggressive third-party disk cleaner tools that accidentally delete critical system files.
Will fixing error 0x80073701 delete my files?
No. Running DISM, SFC, or resetting Windows Update components will not delete your personal files. Even the in-place upgrade repair method (Step 7) is specifically designed to preserve your files, applications, and settings. However, always back up important data before performing any major system repair as a precaution against unexpected failures.
How long does DISM take to fix error 0x80073701?
The DISM /RestoreHealth command typically takes between 10 and 25 minutes, depending on your internet connection speed and how many files need to be repaired. The progress bar may appear to stall at certain percentages — this is normal. Do not close the Command Prompt window until it reaches 100% and displays a completion message.
Can I ignore error 0x80073701 and skip the update?
You can temporarily skip a failing update, but it is not recommended to ignore this error long-term. Windows security updates patch critical vulnerabilities, and a corrupted component store will likely cause more updates to fail over time. If the failing update is a security patch, leaving it uninstalled exposes your PC to known security risks. Resolving the underlying corruption is the safest course of action.
Does 0x80073701 mean my hard drive is failing?
Not necessarily. While disk corruption can cause this error, it is more commonly caused by a software-level issue in the Windows component store rather than physical hardware failure. However, if DISM and SFC both fail to repair the system after multiple attempts, it is worth running a disk health check using the built-in tool: open Command Prompt as administrator and type 'chkdsk C: /f /r' to scan for bad sectors. If the disk reports physical errors, consider replacing the drive.

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