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Microsoft documented “Some updates were cancelled. We’ll keep trying in case new updates become available” as a known issue in certain Windows 10 Insider Preview builds in 2017. Its workaround was to delete one specific registry subkey. That is a historical, build-specific fix—not a proven solution for current retail Windows 10 or Windows 11. Check your Windows build before changing the registry.
What the message means—and who it affected
The wording indicates that Windows Update cancelled or withdrew one or more pending update operations and is waiting to see whether another update becomes available. Microsoft listed it as a known issue, but did not assign it a numeric error code or publish a full technical explanation of its cause.
The documented cases were Windows 10 Insider Preview builds from March to May 2017. Microsoft release notes listed the issue for these builds:
| Windows 10 Insider Preview build | Announcement date | What Microsoft noted |
|---|---|---|
| 15060 | March 16, 2017 | Listed the message as a known issue and included a registry workaround. Microsoft’s Build 15060 notes |
| 15061 | March 17, 2017 | Listed the message and specified the registry key to delete. Microsoft’s Build 15061 notes |
| 16188 | May 4, 2017 | Continued to list the issue among known PC problems. Microsoft’s Build 16188 notes |
| 16193 | May 11, 2017 | Continued to list the issue among known PC problems. Microsoft’s Build 16193 notes |
| 16199 | May 17, 2017 | Continued to list the issue among known PC problems. Microsoft’s Build 16199 notes |
The release-note evidence concerns Insider Preview builds, not Windows 10 retail releases generally or Windows 11. If you see the same wording on a current system, do not assume it has the same cause or that the 2017 registry workaround applies.
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Check your Windows build before trying the workaround
On Windows, open Settings > System > About and check Windows specifications for the edition, version, and OS build. The exact labels can vary by Windows release. If the PC is managed by an organization, ask its administrator before making registry changes.
The workaround is most relevant when the exact message appears on a related 2017 Windows 10 Insider Preview build, the problem began during an Insider build update, and the specified registry subkey exists. If you are on a current retail Windows 10 or Windows 11 build, have a different update error, or cannot verify the build, use troubleshooting guidance for your version instead of deleting the key.
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Back up the registry before making a change
Microsoft’s historical note specifies the key and suggests deleting it for affected Insiders. The backup and restore-point steps below are standard precautions; they are not additional steps prescribed in that release note.
- Create a restore point if System Protection is enabled. Search Windows for Create a restore point and use the System Protection controls if available.
- Open Registry Editor as an administrator. Search for Registry Editor, choose Run as administrator, and approve the prompt if requested.
- Navigate to the parent key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionWindowsUpdateAuto UpdateRequestedAppCategories. - Export the parent key: select RequestedAppCategories, choose File > Export, save the file somewhere you can find it, and confirm the export range is the selected branch.
Delete only the documented subkey
Microsoft’s workaround names this exact subkey beneath RequestedAppCategories:
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8b24b027-1dee-babb-9a95-3517dfb9c552
- In Registry Editor, expand
RequestedAppCategoriesand find the subkey with that exact name. - For an additional backup, right-click that subkey, choose Export, and save it separately.
- Verify the name carefully, then right-click only
8b24b027-1dee-babb-9a95-3517dfb9c552and choose Delete. Confirm the prompt. - Close Registry Editor and restart the PC. Then open Windows Update and check again.
Do not delete the whole RequestedAppCategories branch or other Windows Update registry entries. Microsoft’s documented workaround is for the one named subkey and the historical Insider issue. It does not guarantee that updating will succeed in every case.
If the subkey is missing or the message remains
- The subkey is absent: do not create it. The PC may not be in the documented scenario, the issue may have been resolved on that installation, or the message may have another cause. Confirm the OS build and use version-specific support guidance.
- The subkey was deleted but the message remains: restart once if you have not already, then check Windows Update again. Check Update history for an update that failed or was withdrawn and see whether Windows is waiting for another restart.
- You are using a current Windows release: use the Windows Update troubleshooter or Microsoft’s current recovery instructions for that release rather than trying other registry deletions or broad reset procedures.
- The PC is organization-managed, or you cannot back up the registry: stop and contact your IT administrator or a qualified support provider. Do not remove broader registry branches or rename system folders based on generic advice.
A matching message years after the 2017 Insider releases may simply share the same wording. The available Microsoft release notes establish the historical symptom and its suggested workaround, not a universal present-day cause or fix.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is “Some updates were cancelled” a Windows Update error code?
No numeric error code is given in Microsoft’s release notes; they list the wording as a known issue.
Does the documented workaround apply to Windows 11?
The Microsoft documentation cited here concerns Windows 10 Insider Preview builds from 2017; it does not establish that this registry deletion applies to Windows 11.
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Will deleting the subkey uninstall updates already installed?
The documented action is deleting a registry subkey, not uninstalling an update. Microsoft’s note does not describe the effect on installed updates.
Should I leave the Windows Insider Program to fix the message?
The cited Microsoft workaround does not instruct users to leave the Insider Program. Check the OS build and use guidance appropriate to your current Insider or retail installation.
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