Steps to Resolve 0xC1900101 Errors on Windows 11 and Windows 10

2024/10/23

To resolve the 0xC1900101 error on Windows 11 (and 10), you will need to undertake several troubleshooting tasks, which include checking available storage, clearing space, repairing installation files, addressing Windows Update issues, rectifying device conflicts, and removing incompatible applications.

Error code 0xC1900101 frequently occurs during installation or system upgrades on Windows 11 (and 10). This issue often signals a compatibility problem related to drivers, hardware, or storage capacity; however, you can usually fix these issues through various methods, as they vary based on the root cause.

It’s crucial to note that error 0xC1900101 is not indicative of a software bug but rather represents a common problem that can have multiple fixes. You might encounter various versions of this error on Windows, such as 0xC1900101 – 0x20004, 0xC1900101 – 0x2000c, 0xC1900101 – 0x20017, 0xC1900101 – 0x30018, 0xC1900101 – 0x3000D, 0xC1900101 – 0x4000D, 0xC1900101 – 0x40017.

This guide will provide you with comprehensive methods to troubleshoot this error across nearly any version of Windows.

How to Fix the 0xC1900101 Error on Windows 11 (and 10)

When faced with a “0xC1900101″error code, the issue is often linked to device drivers but can arise from several other factors. Insufficient storage space, incompatibilities with security software, problems with connected peripherals, or corrupted system files could also lead to this error.

Regardless of the cause, you can use the following troubleshooting steps to remedy the “0xC1900101″issue on your Windows 11 and 10 systems.

Address Storage Space Issues

Many instances of error 0xC1900101 can be attributed to inadequate storage capacity.

Free Up Disk Space

Windows 11 demands a minimum of 20GB of free space to facilitate updates. Attempting to upgrade the system with insufficient space will likely result in errors.

For Windows 10, the requirement for an upgrade is at least 16GB of available space for the 32-bit version, or 20GB for the 64-bit version.

Checking Space on Windows 11

To verify your available space on Windows 11, follow these steps:

Launch Settings.
Select System.
Navigate to the Storage section.
Check the free space on the primary drive.
If available space is below 20GB, opt for the “Clean recommendations” .
Select the files you wish to delete.
Press the Clean up button.

You can also check other methods to gauge storage space on your Windows 11 machine.

Checking Space on Windows 10

For Windows 10, validate available space by following these steps:

Open Settings.
Select System.
Select the Storage tab.
Verify free space on the main drive.
If the space available is below 20GB, click on “Temporary files” .
Choose which files to remove.
Press the Remove files button.

Windows 10 also has various ways to check and manage storage usage effectively.

Check for Drive Issues

An error code 0xC1900101 may appear if any system files are corrupt or missing. You can utilize the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) and System File Checker (SFC) tools to rectify this quickly on Windows 11 (and 10).

If the system drive has errors, it might prevent you from upgrading your Windows version. The Check Disk (chkdsk) command-line utility can also help identify and fix such issues. It is advisable to run the DISM, SFC, and ChkDsk commands as detailed in the following steps.

Here’s how to use DISM and SFC commands to repair your Windows installation on Windows 11:

Open Start.
Type Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select Run as administrator.
Enter the command below and hit Enter:

dism /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
Now enter the following command to repair the setup and hit Enter:

SFC /scannow
Next, type the following command and press Enter:

chkdsk/f c:
Type “Y” to schedule a scan and press Enter.
Restart your system.

After completing these steps, the DISM command will fix the local image files, and the SFC command will utilize the repaired image to rectify any Windows setup files. The logs of these repairs can be found in C:\Windows\Logs\CBS, specifically in the “CBS.log.”

Lastly, the ChkDsk command will attempt to resolve any logical and physical errors on the disk.

Troubleshoot Windows Update Issues

Additionally, the 0xC1900101 error may stem from complications with Windows Update settings. If your update system is malfunctioning, you can try fixing it using the steps outlined below.

Troubleshoot Windows Update on Windows 11

To address Windows Update issues on Windows 11, follow these steps:

Access Settings.
Go to System.
Select the Troubleshoot option.
Click on Other troubleshooters.
Locate the Windows Update section under “Most frequent,” and click the Run button.
Follow any on-screen prompts within the “Get Help” app (if it appears).

Additionally, Windows 11 provides several methods for troubleshooting and resolving Windows Update difficulties.

Troubleshoot Windows Update on Windows 10

You can reset Windows Update on Windows 10 using its built-in troubleshooter by adhering to these steps:

Open Settings.
Click on Update & Security.
Select Troubleshoot.
Choose “Additional troubleshooters” .
Under “Get up and running,” select the Windows Update option.
Click the “Run the troubleshooter” button.
Continue following any on-screen directions.

Windows 10 also features additional methods to troubleshoot and rectify Windows Update settings issues.

Fix Device Driver Problems

The issue may stem from device driver complications as well. If this is the case, you should leverage Device Manager to diagnose any existing issues and use Windows Update to install the latest driver versions.

Identifying Driver Issues

Open Start.
Search for Device Manager and select it.
Look for any devices marked with a yellow exclamation mark.
Right-click on the problematic device and select Uninstall.
Restart your computer.

Upon completing these actions, your system should restart and attempt to reinstall the missing drivers automatically. After the reboot, check Device Manager again to verify the status of the device and proceed with the instructions below to update the drivers.

Update Device Drivers

The process of updating device drivers to solve the 0xC1900101 error will slightly differ depending on whether you’re using Windows 11 or Windows 10.

Updating Drivers on Windows 11

Follow these steps to update drivers on Windows 11:

Open Settings.
Select Windows Update.
Go to the Advanced options tab.
Choose the Optional updates setting listed under “Optional updates.”
Select the Driver updates option.
Choose the driver you want to update.
Click the “Download & install” button.

After these steps, the driver update will automatically download and install on your Windows 11 system.

Updating Drivers on Windows 10

To update drivers in Windows 10, follow these steps:

Open Settings.
Select Update & Security.
Click on Windows Update.
Navigate to the “View optional updates” setting.
Select the Driver updates option.
Choose the device driver you want to update.
Press the “Download & install” button.

Once these steps are completed, the new version of the device driver will download and install on your Windows 10 machine automatically.

Alternatively, you can manually update your device driver by downloading the latest version from your hardware manufacturer’s support website.

Disconnect Unnecessary Peripherals

Installation challenges can sometimes be attributed to peripherals that might not be compatible with the upgraded Windows version. To prevent any installation issues, disconnect any non-essential devices from your PC, including printers, webcams, and external storage devices (such as USB drives and external hard disks). Only retain the crucial peripherals required for operation, such as a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and network adapter for internet access.

Disconnecting USB flash drive from computer / Image: Copilot AI

Additionally, consider disabling Bluetooth on your device before upgrading via Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices.

Uninstall Security Software

Another possible reason for encountering the 0xC1900101 error when upgrading may be third-party security software. If you have antivirus software (other than Microsoft Defender Antivirus) or similar applications present, consider disabling or temporarily removing them before starting the installation process.

Uninstalling applications varies slightly depending on the Windows version you’re utilizing.

Uninstalling Apps on Windows 11

To remove an application on Windows 11, follow these steps:

Open Settings.
Click on Apps.
Go to the Installed apps section.
Select the app you wish to uninstall.
Click on the menu (three dots) next to the app and choose “Uninstall” .
Confirm by pressing the Uninstall button once again.
Proceed with any on-screen instructions.

On completion, the security software will be eliminated from your Windows 11 system.

Uninstalling Apps on Windows 10

To uninstall a security application on Windows 10, follow these steps:

Open Settings.
Click on Apps.
Navigate to Apps & features.
Select the app you wish to uninstall.
Press the Uninstall button.
Click the Uninstall button again to confirm.
Complete any additional on-screen instructions.

After following these steps, the security software will be uninstalled from your Windows 10 system.

Although the error 0xC1900101 is not an OS bug, it tends to arise from hardware or software configuration issues, which can be challenging to pinpoint.

If you struggle to identify the source of the problem, feel free to seek assistance in the comments section by providing detailed information about your issues and the troubleshooting steps you’ve already tried.

Moreover, if you intend to upgrade to a newer version of Windows and have been using the same operating system for a prolonged period, it would be wise to back up your files and perform a clean installation. This approach not only provides a fresh copy of Windows but also aids in resolving performance issues, startup problems, and memory management concerns.

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