Fix Windows 10 Error 0xc1900101 0x20017

To fix Windows 10 installation error 0xc1900101 0x20017, you need to free up disk space, disable third-party antivirus, and remove external peripherals before retrying the upgrade. This error typically appears during a feature update or upgrade attempt, and it usually means the system ran out of space or a driver blocked the installation.

What This Error Means

Error 0xc1900101 0x20017 is a generic Windows Update failure code that appears when the upgrade process cannot complete. The first part, 0xc1900101, is a common prefix for errors related to the Windows installation engine (CBS or DISM). The second part, 0x20017, points to a specific failure during the driver or system file migration phase. In practice, this error almost always comes down to one of three root causes: insufficient disk space, a conflicting driver, or interference from security software.

Microsoft does not publish a single official fix for this exact code because the underlying cause varies by machine. However, the steps below address the most frequently reported triggers and have a high success rate for most users.

Before You Start: Check Disk Space

The most common reason for error 0xc1900101 0x20017 is a lack of free space on the system drive (usually C:). A Windows 10 feature update needs about 20 GB of free space to download and install. If you are upgrading from an older version or have a small SSD, you may need more.

Open File Explorer and right-click on This PC.
Select Properties and check the free space on the C: drive.
If you have less than 20 GB free, use the Disk Cleanup tool (search for it in the Start menu) to remove temporary files, Windows Update cache, and previous Windows installations.
You can also use Storage Sense (Settings > System > Storage) to automatically free up space.

After cleaning, restart your PC and try the update again. If space was the issue, the error should not reappear.

Disable Third-Party Antivirus Temporarily

Antivirus programs, especially third-party ones like Norton, McAfee, or Bitdefender, can interfere with the upgrade process. They may lock system files that Windows needs to replace, causing error 0xc1900101 0x20017.

Right-click the antivirus icon in the system tray (bottom-right corner).
Select Disable or Pause protection. Choose a duration of at least 1 hour.
If there is an option to disable the firewall as well, do that too.
Try the Windows update again.

After the update finishes, re-enable your antivirus. Do not uninstall it unless the update fails again after disabling it.

Remove External Devices and Disconnect Peripherals

External hardware can also cause the upgrade to fail. USB drives, external hard drives, printers, and even some mice or keyboards have drivers that may conflict with the installation process.

Unplug all USB devices except the mouse and keyboard (if they are USB, try using a PS/2 port if available).
Disconnect any external monitors, docks, or adapters.
Remove SD cards and other removable media.

Once everything is disconnected, restart your PC and attempt the update. After the upgrade, reconnect your devices one by one to ensure they still work.

Update or Remove Problematic Drivers

Drivers, especially graphics and network drivers, are a frequent cause of this error. The upgrade process tries to migrate drivers, and if one is incompatible, the installation rolls back with 0xc1900101 0x20017.

Open Device Manager (right-click the Start button and select it).
Expand categories like Display adapters, Network adapters, and Sound, video and game controllers.
Right-click each device and select Update driver > Search automatically.
If no update is found, right-click the device and select Uninstall device. Check the box that says Delete the driver software for this device if available.

After uninstalling, restart your PC. Windows will reinstall the default driver. Then try the update again. If the error persists, you may need to download the latest driver directly from the manufacturer’s website and install it before retrying the upgrade.

Run Windows Update Troubleshooter and Clean Boot

If the above steps do not work, use the built-in Windows Update troubleshooter and perform a clean boot to eliminate software conflicts.

Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
Select Windows Update and run the troubleshooter.
If that does not help, perform a clean boot:
- Press Win + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.
- Go to the Services tab, check Hide all Microsoft services, then click Disable all.
- Go to the Startup tab and click Open Task Manager. Disable all startup items.
- Restart your PC and try the update.

After the update, re-enable the services and startup items by reversing the steps.

Use the Media Creation Tool or ISO

If Windows Update still fails, you can bypass it entirely by using the Media Creation Tool or a downloaded ISO file. This method often works when the built-in updater cannot complete.

Download the Media Creation Tool from Microsoft’s official website.
Run the tool and select Upgrade this PC now. This will keep your files and apps.
Follow the on-screen instructions. The tool will download the latest Windows 10 version and install it.

Alternatively, download the ISO file, mount it by right-clicking and selecting Mount, then run setup.exe inside. Choose Keep personal files and apps when prompted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I lose my files if I fix this error?

No. All the methods described above preserve your personal files and installed applications. The upgrade process is designed to keep everything intact. However, it is always wise to back up important data before any major update, just in case.

How long does the upgrade take after fixing the error?

Typically 30 to 60 minutes, depending on your hardware and the speed of your internet connection. The installation will restart your PC several times. Do not interrupt it once it starts.

Can I fix this error without disabling my antivirus?

It is possible, but not recommended. Antivirus software is a known cause of this error. If you cannot disable it, try uninstalling it temporarily. You can reinstall it after the update completes.

What if the error appears again after trying all these steps?

If the error persists, the issue may be a hardware problem, such as failing RAM or a corrupted hard drive. Run Windows Memory Diagnostic (search for it in the Start menu) and check the disk with chkdsk /f in an elevated command prompt. If both are fine, consider performing a clean install of Windows 10 using the Media Creation Tool, which will erase everything but will also eliminate any software conflict.

Is error 0xc1900101 0x20017 the same as 0xc1900101-0x20017?

Yes, they are the same error. The hyphen and space are just formatting variations. The underlying cause and fixes are identical.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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