How to fix
KB5033204 fails to install
on Windows

Hello. I just got a new Windows 11 PC and I had to install the KB5033204 but it failed. Is there any way to fix this?

Users who depend on the update to improve their initial setup and overall user experience are concerned about the installation failure of KB5033204 in Windows 11 23H2, especially in the Out of Box Experience (OOBE) environment. The update with the knowledge base number KB5033204 was created especially to enhance this Windows 11 version's WinRE (Windows Recovery Environment), setup, and out-of-box experience.

The current problem may affect users by preventing them from benefiting from the planned enhancements during the initial setup procedure. When setting up their devices for the first time, consumers can now experience a smoother and more user-friendly experience thanks to the OOBE update. Users can lose out on improvements meant to streamline settings and raise the operating system's general usability if the installation goes wrong.

When installing KB5033204, users may encounter dissatisfaction and discomfort because they will not be able to benefit from the intended improvements while configuring their devices. Furthermore, the update's automatic availability on the Microsoft Update Catalog points to a broad distribution, which increases the possible impact of the installation failure.

In this guide, you will find 7 steps that should help you fix KB5033204 fails to install in Windows 11. You can also run a maintenance tool like [d1] that can fix most system errors, BSODs,[ref en-1] corrupted files, registry[ref en-2] issues, or clear cookies and cache[ref en-3] automatically. Otherwise, follow the step-by-step 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. Repair Corrupted System Files

Use Command Prompt commands to repair system file corruption:

• Open Command Prompt as administrator
• Use the following command and press Enter:
  sfc /scannow

• Reboot your system
• If SFC returned an error, then use the following command lines, pressing Enter after each:
  DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
  DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
  DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Solution 3. 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 4. Reset Windows Update Components

• Type cmd in the search bar.
• Right-click on Command Prompt in the search results.
• Select Run as administrator.
• In the Command Prompt window:
• Type the following commands one by one and press Enter after each:

net stop wuauserv

net stop cryptSvc

net stop bits

net stop msiserver

• Execute the following commands one by one:

net start wuauserv

net start cryptSvc

net start bits

net start msiserver

• Restart your PC.
• Check to see if the issue has been resolved.

Solution 5. Use the Microsoft Update Catalog

• Go to the official Microsoft Update Catalog website
• Type the KB number KB5033204 into the search bar, and press Enter or click Search

• You will find many different versions on the update – you need to find the one that matches your PC specs and Windows version (as a home user, ignore Windows server versions)
• After picking the correct version, click the Download button and proceed with the on-screen instructions
• Restart your system once done

Solution 6. Try Clean Boot

• Open the Search menu, type in system configuration, and press Enter.
• Under the Services tab, tick the Hide all Microsoft services box.
• Click on Disable all button.

• Head over to the Startup tab and click on Open Task Manager.
• Select a third-party program and click on Disable at the top.
• Repeat this step to disable all third-party apps and programs.
• Restart your PC to enter the clean boot state and see if the issue persists.
• If the issue disappeared in the clean boot state, then you can be certain that a third-party app is causing it.
• Go through all recently installed apps or programs and remove them one by one.

Solution 7. Use Installation Media

If none of the previous steps helped you resolve the issue, your current installation of Windows may be corrupt. Perform a repair installation and see if it fixes the issue of updates not installing.

• Visit the official Microsoft website to download Windows 11 Installation Media.
• Run the Media Creation Tool and select Create Installation Media for another PC.
• Select your USB drive.
• Let the Process complete of writing the Installation files to the USB drive.
• Click Finish.
• On the PC you wish to upgrade, Press Windows + E to open the File Explorer.

• Open the Removable drive and click Setup.exe.
• Accept the license terms on the next screen.
• Confirm the Upgrade options – Files, apps and Settings are kept.
• Click Install, and the upgrade should start.