Error 0x800703ee When Updating/Installing Windows

Learn where this error occurs & how to fix it

5 min. read

Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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Key notes

When trying to copy or move files from your Windows system to an external storage device like a Micro SD card or a USB drive, you may encounter Error 0x800703ee. This error can also occur when trying to install, clean install Windows, or update the system. The full error reads:

Installation Failure: Windows failed to install the following update with error 0x800703EE

In this article, we have listed a few troubleshooting steps to help you resolve the error 0x800703ee on external storage when trying to clean Install Windows or install the update.

What is error code 0x800703ee?

If the error 0x800703ee the volume for a file has been externally altered so that the opened file is no longer valid is occurring when clean installing or updating Windows, it usually points to corrupt update files due to which the update process is not initiating.

This error can occur due to several reasons, including third-party antivirus conflict, programs using the file, issues with other third-party software installed on your system, and corrupted storage drives.

How do I fix error 0x800703ee?

1. Change the USB Port

At times a malfunctioning USB port can be the cause for the error 0x800703ee. The issue may also occur on a functioning USB port but due to some other issues.

A quick workaround would be to change the USB Port. Unplug the bootable USB flash drive and connect to a different USB port on your system. This is usually helpful if you are using a USB 3.0 port. Try connecting the flash drive to a USB 2.0 port and then proceed with the installation or upgrade process.

If you are working with the Windows Media Creation tool and are troubled by this error, then move on to the next steps.

2. Update your PC in Safe Mode

Restarting your PC in Safe Mode allows you to install updates without any third-party software conflict. A major cause of the error 0x800703ee has been due to conflict with third-party software.

Finding the exact software that is causing the issue is a difficult task. As a result, you can completely negate this issue by restarting your system in Safe Mode. When in Safe Mode, Windows only starts with necessary system services and apps running in the background.

3. Install the Windows update manually

Microsoft allows you to download and install some feature updates from its update catalog manually. This is particularly helpful if one or a few specific updates are causing the error.

Follow the steps to install the updates manually.

4. Clean Install using a USB flash drive

If the installation fails with the error again, check if the Windows 10 ISO is corrupted. Download a new ISO file and try to clean install Windows 10.

The error 0x800703ee the volume for a file has been externally altered when installing or updating Windows can be triggered due to several reasons.

Follow the steps in this article one by one to fix the error and install the Windows update successfully.

Error 0x800703ee When Updating/Installing Windows#

What is error code 0x800703ee?#

How do I fix error 0x800703ee?#

1. Change the USB Port#

2. Update your PC in Safe Mode#

3. Install the Windows update manually#

4. Clean Install using a USB flash drive#