Fixing DISM /restorehealth Issues on Windows 10, Server 2016 / 2019

My notes on repairing broken systems that no longer install updates.

 When /restorehealth fails, check the following:

Perform chkdsk /f on Boot volume

Clear \Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download after stopping Windows Update service

Set UseWUServer to 0 in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU if WSUS is being used

Perform DISM /startcomponentcleanup to see if superseded component is causing the problem

Perform DISM /restorehealth to see if problem is fixed

Examine C:\WINDOWS\Logs\DISM\dism.log for errors

Examine C:\WINDOWS\Logs\CBS\CBS.log for errors, especially missing Catalogs

Perform Google Search for associated KB Articles/Updates for missing catalogs

Download update from Microsoft Update Catalog site

Unpack the update with the following command:

Expand <update>.msu -f:* c:\temp

Add the update package to the SxS store with the following command:

Dism /online /add-package /packagepath=c:\temp\<update>.cab

If the missing catalogs are no longer present, or are horribly broken, remove from registry

- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Component Based Servicing\Packages

- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Component Based Servicing\PackageDetect

- Backup/export keys first!

- Search for package as well; search on the package listed in CBS.log as 'CBS Catalog missing'

- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Component Based Servicing\ComponentDetect

- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Component Based Servicing\PackageIndex

- The reference link for the CBS registry edits -  Windows 10 V1703: Fix for DISM error 0x800F081F