How to Resolve 'Device is Missing Important Security and Quality Fixes' in Windows 11/10.

If you encounter the error "Your Device is Missing Important Security and Quality Fixes" with Error Code: 0x80073712 while trying to install updates through Windows Update, this guide will help you resolve the issue. This error typically indicates that your device is unable to install the required updates, potentially leaving it vulnerable to security threats.

How to FIX: Your Device is Missing Important Security and Quality Fixes on Windows 11/10

Method 1. Delete the Windows Update Store Folder

The first method to resolve the "Device is Missing Important Security and Quality Fixes" error is to force Windows to re-download all available updates from scratch.

Step 1: Stop the 'Windows Update' Service

1. Open the Windows Services control panel:
   1. Press Windows + R keys to open the run command box.
   2. Type services.msc in the search box and click OK.

2. In the Services control panel, locate the Windows Update service.

2a. Right-click on the Windows Update service and select Stop. Stopping the service ensures that no updates are being downloaded or installed while you perform the next steps.

3. Without closing the Services window, proceed to Step 2 below.

Step 2: Delete the 'SoftwareDistribution' Folder

* Info: The C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution folder is where Windows stores downloaded updates. Corruption in this folder can prevent updates from being installed. Deleting or renaming this folder forces Windows to recreate it, ensuring a fresh download of updates.

1. Open Windows Explorer and navigate to the C:\Windows folder.
2. Find and Delete the SoftwareDistribution folder (or rename it, e.g., to "SoftwareDistributionOLD").

Step 3: Start the 'Windows Update' Service

In the Windows Services control panel, apply the following actions:

1. Right-click on the Windows Update service and select Start. This action restarts the service, allowing Windows to begin downloading updates again.

Step 4: Check and Install Windows 10 Updates

1. Navigate to Settings -> Update and Security -> and click Check for Updates. This prompts Windows to search for and install any available updates.

2. After Windows finds the available updates, try to install them. If you receive the same error, proceed to Method 2 below.

Method 2. Repair Windows System Files with DISM & SFC Tools

If the above method does not resolve the problem, check and repair any errors in the Windows system files.

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
2. In the command prompt, enter the following command and press Enter:
   • DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup

   This command cleans up the component store, removing unnecessary files and potentially resolving component corruption.

3. When the process is completed, enter the following command:
   • DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth

   This command scans the system for corruption and repairs any issues using Windows Update as a source.

4. When the DISM operation is completed, type the following command and hit Enter:
   • sfc /scannow

   This command runs the System File Checker tool, which scans for and repairs corrupted system files.

5. Wait until the System File Checker (SFC) repairs the Windows System Files.
6. When done, restart your computer.
7. Open Windows Update and try to install the failed updates.

Method 3. Update Windows using the Update Assistant

If Windows fails to install updates via Windows Update, use the Windows Update Assistant to update your system.

1. Navigate to the Windows 10 download site and click the Update now button.Note: For Windows 11, go to the Windows 11 download page and download the Windows 11 Installation Assistant.

2. Double-click the downloaded file to open the Windows Upgrade Assistant.
3. Click Update Now to start the update process.

4. Let Windows finish downloading and verifying the update files.
5. When verification reaches 100%, disconnect your computer from the Internet (or set it to "Airplane mode" if you own a laptop).
6. Wait for Windows to update your system.
7. When prompted, restart your system to complete the update.

Method 4. Update Windows from ISO File

Another method to fix the "Your Device is Missing Important Security and Quality Fixes" error is to update Windows 10/11 using the Windows ISO file.

Step 1. Download Windows 10 in an ISO File

1. Navigate to the Windows 10 download page and under the "Create Windows 10 installation media" section, click Download Tool now to download the Media Creation Tool.Note: For Windows 11, go to the Windows 11 download page and download the Windows 11 Installation Media tool.

2. Run the downloaded file and Accept the License Terms at the first screen.
3. At the "What do you want to do?" screen, select Create installation media for another PC.

4. At the 'Language, architecture and edition' screen, click Next.
5. Select ISO file and click Next.

6. Save the 'Windows.iso' file to your desktop.
7. Wait for the 'Media Creation Tool' to download Windows 10/11 to an ISO file.
8. When the download is completed, close the Media Creation Tool wizard.

Step 2. Run Disk Cleanup

Clean the already downloaded update files using the Disk Cleanup tool.

1. Type "disk cleanup" in the search bar and open the Disk Cleanup App.

2. In the 'Disk Cleanup' window, click Clean up system files.

3. Select the following options and click OK to delete them:
   • Windows Update Cleanup
   • Windows upgrade log files
   • Temporary Windows installation files

4. Close the Disk Cleanup tool and continue to the next step.

Step 3. Update Windows 10 from the ISO File

1. IMPORTANT: Disconnect your computer from the Internet (or set it to "Airplane mode" if you own a laptop).
2. IMPORTANT: Disable or temporarily uninstall any third-party antivirus.
3. Right-click on the "Windows.iso" file on your desktop and click Mount.
4. Double-click the Setup application.

5. Click Next to install Windows 10.

6. Follow the rest of the onscreen instructions to update your system.

Method 5. Reset Windows Update Components

If the problem persists, resetting the Windows Update components can be an effective solution. This involves stopping the Windows Update services, renaming the affected folders, and restarting the services.

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
2. Stop the BITS, Windows Update, and Cryptographic services by typing the following commands and pressing Enter after each:
   • net stop bits
   • net stop wuauserv
   • net stop appidsvc
   • net stop cryptsvc
3. Rename the SoftwareDistribution and Catroot2 folders by typing the following commands:
   • ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
   • ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 Catroot2.old
4. Restart the BITS, Windows Update, and Cryptographic services by typing:
   • net start bits
   • net start wuauserv
   • net start appidsvc
   • net start cryptsvc
5. Close the Command Prompt and attempt to update Windows again.

Summary

In summary, resolving the "Device is Missing Important Security and Quality Fixes" error involves several methods. Start by deleting the Windows Update Store folder and resetting the update components. If the issue persists, use the DISM and SFC tools to repair system files. Additionally, consider updating Windows using the Update Assistant or an ISO file. These steps should help restore your system's ability to receive important updates.

That's all folks! Which method worked for you? Please leave a comment in the comment section below or even better: like and share this blog post on social networks to help spread the word about this solution.

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Konstantinos Tsoukalas

Konstantinos is the founder and administrator of Repairwin.com. Since 1995 he works and provides IT support as a computer and network expert to individuals and large companies. He is specialized in solving problems related to Windows or other Microsoft products (Windows Server, Office, Microsoft 365, etc.).

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