How to fix
KB5014697 fails to install
on Windows

Hello. I tried to install the KB5014697 update several times on my Windows 11 PC but it fails every time. What should I do?

Windows 11 was released at the end of 2021 by Microsoft. Many people rushed to try it out. However, people were met with a number of errors, bugs, and glitches. We previously wrote about problems, like 100% disk usage, Windows Defender won't open, long audio delay, and many others.

Recently, users ran into trouble when trying to install the latest Windows 11 update KB5014697. Unfortunately, update installation problems are quite common and occur on every version of Windows. Some people report receiving the 0x800700a1 error code. The full message reads as follows:

Windows Update Standalone Installer

Installer encountered an error: 0x800700a1

The specified path is invalid

There are a number of reasons why this could be happening. Most often, Windows updates fail to install because of malfunctioning update components, and services. However, it was found that this specific error could occur because of third-party security software interference or Windows encryption called BitLocker.[ref en-1]

In this guide, you will find 6 steps that could help you fix KB5014697 fails to install in Windows problem. Of course, manual troubleshooting can be a lengthy process so you can try running a scan with [d1]. This maintenance tool can fix most system errors, BSODs,[ref en-2] corrupted files, and registry[ref en-3] issues. Otherwise, follow the instructions below.

Solution 1. Run Windows Update Troubleshooter

• Click the Windows button and select Settings
• Select System from the left pane, then scroll down on the right pane, and click on Troubleshoot
• Click on Other troubleshooters

• Locate the Windows Update troubleshooter and hit the Run button

Solution 2. Restart Windows Services

• Type services in the search bar and launch the Services utility
• Find Windows Update in the list
• Double-click on it, set the Startup type to Automatic, and click Apply

• Now click on Restart the Service
• Do the same with Background Intelligent Transfer Service

Solution 3. Reset Windows Update Components

• Open the Command Prompt as an Administrator
• Type the following commands one by one and press Enter after each:

net stop bits

net stop wuauserv

net stop cryptsvc

Del "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\Microsoft\Network\Downloader\qmgr*.dat"

Ren %Systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore DataStore.bak

Ren %Systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution\Download Download.bak

Ren %Systemroot%\System32\catroot2 catroot2.bak

sc.exe sdset bits D:(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;SY)(A;;CCDCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRSDRCWDWO;;;BA)(A;;CCLCSWLOCRRC;;;AU)(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;PU)

sc.exe sdset wuauserv D:(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;SY)(A;;CCDCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRSDRCWDWO;;;BA)(A;;CCLCSWLOCRRC;;;AU)(A;;CCLCSWRPWPDTLOCRRC;;;PU)

cd /d %windir%\system32

regsvr32.exe atl.dll

regsvr32.exe urlmon.dll

regsvr32.exe mshtml.dll

regsvr32.exe shdocvw.dll

regsvr32.exe browseui.dll

regsvr32.exe jscript.dll

regsvr32.exe vbscript.dll

regsvr32.exe scrrun.dll

regsvr32.exe msxml.dll

regsvr32.exe msxml3.dll

regsvr32.exe msxml6.dll

regsvr32.exe actxprxy.dll

regsvr32.exe softpub.dll

regsvr32.exe wintrust.dll

regsvr32.exe dssenh.dll

regsvr32.exe rsaenh.dll

regsvr32.exe gpkcsp.dll

regsvr32.exe sccbase.dll

regsvr32.exe slbcsp.dll

regsvr32.exe cryptdlg.dll

regsvr32.exe oleaut32.dll

regsvr32.exe ole32.dll

regsvr32.exe shell32.dll

regsvr32.exe initpki.dll

regsvr32.exe wuapi.dll

regsvr32.exe wuaueng.dll

regsvr32.exe wuaueng1.dll

regsvr32.exe wucltui.dll

regsvr32.exe wups.dll

regsvr32.exe wups2.dll

regsvr32.exe wuweb.dll

regsvr32.exe qmgr.dll

regsvr32.exe qmgrprxy.dll

regsvr32.exe wucltux.dll

regsvr32.exe muweb.dll

regsvr32.exe wuwebv.dll

netsh winsock reset

net start bits

net start wuauserv

net start cryptsvc

• Wait for the process to finish and restart your PC

Solution 4. Use Microsoft Update Catalog

Whenever Windows updates fail to install automatically, you can always try doing it manually. First, you need to find out which KB number is relevant to you.

• Right-click Start button and pick Settings
• Go to Update & Security
• On the right, locate and click View update history
• From the list, note the KB number that fails to install with the error code
• Go to Microsoft Update Catalog page, type in the KB number and press Search

• Download the update and install it manually

Solution 5. Disable Third-Party Security Software

Sometimes antivirus software can block legitimate processes mistakenly. You should try disabling your antivirus and trying to run the update again.

Solution 6. Suspend BitLocker

• Open Control Panel, select System and Security
• Go to BitLocker Drive Encryption and click on Suspend protection

• Select Yes
• Try installing the update

Resume BitLocker protection:  

• Open Control Panel
• Select System and Security > BitLocker Drive Encryption > Resume protection
• Select Yes

How to uninstall the KB5014697 update?

If the installation of KB5014697 has caused you problems, you can try uninstalling it through your settings.

• In Settings, from the left sidebar, select Windows Update
• On the Windows Update page, click Update History
• From the Related Settings section, choose Uninstall Updates

• To remove an update, select it in the list and then click Uninstall
• Click Yes in the prompt to continue