Fix Windows Setup Error 0xc1900101 0x40017

Windows setup error 0xc1900101 0x40017 usually appears during an upgrade to a newer version of Windows 10 or 11, and it means the installation rolled back because a driver or system component caused the upgrade to fail. The most reliable fix is to update or remove the problematic driver (often a graphics, network, or storage driver), then retry the upgrade after cleaning up temporary files and disabling third-party antivirus. Below is a step-by-step approach that resolves the issue in most cases, followed by background on why this error occurs and what to do if the basic steps don’t work.

What Exactly Is Error 0xc1900101 0x40017?

This error is part of the 0xc1900101 family, which Windows uses when a feature update or upgrade fails during the driver installation phase. The second part, 0x40017, is a sub-code that points to a specific failure point in the setup process. In practice, it almost always means that a driver on your system is incompatible with the new Windows version, or that the upgrade process couldn’t complete because a driver caused a system crash or hang.

Windows setup is designed to be safe: if an upgrade fails, it automatically rolls back to your previous version. That’s why you see the error after the computer restarts and boots back into the old Windows. The rollback is a protective measure, but it leaves you stuck on the old version until you fix the underlying driver issue.

Before You Start: Prepare Your System

Before diving into driver fixes, take a few minutes to prepare your system. This reduces the chance of the upgrade failing for unrelated reasons and makes the troubleshooting process cleaner.

Back up your important files to an external drive or cloud storage. While the upgrade process is generally safe, a failed upgrade can occasionally cause data loss.
Uninstall third-party antivirus software temporarily. Antivirus programs can interfere with the upgrade process. Windows Defender will automatically re-enable itself, so you’re not left unprotected.
Disconnect non-essential peripherals like printers, external hard drives, and USB hubs. These can sometimes cause driver conflicts during setup.
Ensure you have enough free disk space – at least 20 GB for a 64-bit upgrade. If you’re low on space, use the Disk Cleanup tool to remove temporary files.
Run Windows Update to install all pending updates, including driver updates. This ensures your system is as up-to-date as possible before the major upgrade.

Step-by-Step Fix for Error 0xc1900101 0x40017

Follow these steps in order. The first few are the most likely to resolve the issue; the later ones are for stubborn cases.

Update your drivers manually. Open Device Manager (right-click the Start button and select Device Manager). Look for devices with a yellow warning icon – these are likely problematic. Right-click each one and select “Update driver” > “Search automatically for drivers.” Pay special attention to display adapters, network adapters, and storage controllers. If Windows doesn’t find a new driver, visit the manufacturer’s website for your PC or component and download the latest driver for your specific model.
Uninstall the driver that’s causing the issue. If updating doesn’t help, you may need to uninstall the driver entirely. In Device Manager, right-click the device and select “Uninstall device.” Check the box that says “Delete the driver software for this device” if it appears. Then restart your PC – Windows will reinstall a basic driver automatically. Try the upgrade again.
Clean up the SoftwareDistribution folder. This folder stores temporary files for Windows Update. Corrupted files here can cause upgrade failures. Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run these commands:
```
net stop wuauserv
net stop bits
ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
net start wuauserv
net start bits
```
This renames the folder, forcing Windows to create a fresh one.
Disable Secure Boot and TPM temporarily. Some users report that disabling these in the BIOS/UEFI allows the upgrade to complete. This is a temporary measure – you should re-enable them after the upgrade. To access BIOS, restart your PC and press the key shown on screen (usually F2, F10, or Del). Look for Secure Boot and TPM settings under Security or Boot tabs. Disable them, save and exit, then try the upgrade. After successful installation, re-enable them.
Perform a clean boot. This starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs, eliminating conflicts. Type “msconfig” in the Start menu, 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, then restart. Try the upgrade. Afterward, re-enable everything.
Use the Windows Update Assistant or Media Creation Tool. Sometimes the built-in Windows Update fails, but the standalone tools work. Download the Windows Update Assistant from Microsoft’s website, or use the Media Creation Tool to create a bootable USB drive and run setup from there. These tools often bypass the issue.

Why Does This Error Happen?

The root cause is almost always a driver that is incompatible with the new Windows version. When Windows upgrades, it needs to migrate all existing drivers to the new system. If a driver is old, buggy, or designed for a different architecture, the migration can fail, causing the system to crash and triggering the rollback.

Common culprits include:

Graphics drivers – especially older NVIDIA or AMD drivers that don’t support the new Windows version.
Network drivers – Wi-Fi or Ethernet drivers that crash during the upgrade.
Storage drivers – particularly RAID or AHCI drivers that aren’t compatible.
BIOS/UEFI firmware – outdated firmware can cause issues with power management and hardware initialization.
Third-party drivers – for devices like sound cards, webcams, or specialized hardware.

Another contributing factor is corrupted Windows Update components. If the update cache is damaged, the upgrade process can’t properly stage files, leading to failure.

What to Do If the Error Persists

If you’ve tried all the steps above and the error still appears, you have a few more options:

Check the setup log files. Windows writes detailed logs during the upgrade. Look in C:\Windows\Panther for files like setupact.log and setuperr.log. Open them with Notepad and search for “0x40017” or “error” to see which component failed. This can pinpoint the exact driver.
Perform a clean install. If you can’t upgrade, back up your files and do a fresh installation of Windows. This wipes all drivers and starts from scratch, eliminating any driver conflicts. You’ll need to reinstall your applications afterward.
Wait for the next Windows update. Sometimes the issue is a bug in a specific Windows version, and Microsoft fixes it in a subsequent update. Check Windows Update periodically.
Contact the manufacturer. If your PC is from a major brand (Dell, HP, Lenovo, etc.), they may have specific guidance or updated drivers for the upgrade.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I lose my files if the upgrade fails?

No, the rollback is designed to restore your previous Windows version and all your files. However, it’s always wise to back up important data before attempting an upgrade, as unexpected issues can occasionally cause data loss.

Can I skip the upgrade and stay on my current version?

Yes, you can continue using your current version of Windows. Microsoft supports each version for a set period, but you’ll eventually need to upgrade to receive security updates. If you’re on Windows 10, support ends on October 14, 2025, so it’s better to resolve the issue sooner rather than later.

Is it safe to disable Secure Boot and TPM?

Temporarily, yes, but only for the duration of the upgrade. After successful installation, re-enable both. Disabling them permanently reduces your system’s security and may prevent Windows 11 from running properly, as TPM 2.0 is a requirement for Windows 11.

Why does my antivirus cause the upgrade to fail?

Antivirus software hooks deep into the Windows kernel to monitor system activity. During an upgrade, these hooks can conflict with the setup process, causing it to crash. That’s why it’s recommended to uninstall third-party antivirus before upgrading and reinstall it afterward.

How do I know which driver is causing the problem?

Check the setup log files in C:\Windows\Panther. Look for entries with “0x40017” or “error” – they often mention the specific driver. You can also use Device Manager to check for devices with warning icons, which indicate driver problems.

Can I use the Media Creation Tool to upgrade?

Yes, the Media Creation Tool downloads the latest Windows version and can be used to upgrade your PC. It often works when Windows Update fails. Just run the tool and select “Upgrade this PC now.”

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

More in this bed

The whole Tech How-To bed →