Fix Windows Update Error Code 0xC1900208

Windows upgrade process takes compatibility very seriously. They have to be compatible with the hardware and installed applications else the Windows Upgrade will get stuck. One of the error messages that show up is Windows Update error 0xC1900208 – 0x4000C. If Windows 11/10 will not upgrade due to Incompatible applications, then this post may help you.

Error 0xC1900208 – 0x4000C is caused due to app incompatibility. This indicates that an incompatible app installed on the PC is blocking the upgrade process from completing. You will have to ensure that all applications are up to date to the latest version and then check the compatibility. Else make sure that any incompatible apps are uninstalled and then try upgrading again. Do note that this is one of the error codes among many for compatibility issues that Windows Upgrade shows.

Fix Windows Update Error Code 0xC1900208 – 0x4000C

Since the error is related to compatibility, usually shown by Windows Upgrade Advisor or Windows Update Assistant, we have three options. Update to the latest version of the application, and software, uninstall the application, or trick Windows into that it’s compatible. Take the following steps to fis Windows update Error :

Update Software and Applications
Uninstall software or application
Run Windows Update Troubleshooter
Bypass Upgrade Advisor
Delete the file blocking the upgrade.

1] Update Software and Applications

Depending on where you installed it, your steps will change. If you have installed it directly from the website, follow the steps below:

Most of the applications have an inbuilt option for checking for updates. Look for it
You can also go to the software website and see if there is a new version available. Download and Update.

If you have downloaded it from the Microsoft Store:

Launch Store and click on the three dots on the top right.
Click on Download and Updates
See if there is an update available for the store, if yes, update it

2] Uninstall software or application

If you downloaded it from the website, you would need to use the classic Program and Features to complete it.

Type ‘control’ in the search box, and click on Control Panel (desktop app) when it appears.
Select Program and Features from the list.
This will list all the programs.
Select the program which is possibly not compatible, and uninstall it.

If you have downloaded the application from the Windows Store, you can right-click on it from the application list and select uninstall.

3] Run Windows Update Troubleshooter

Run Windows Update Troubleshooter and see if it helps

4] Bypass Upgrade Advisor

Many a time, software developer fails to pass the compatibility test for their applications. It is possible that they work on Windows 10 upgraded version, but they haven’t passed the check. If you are 100% sure of it, read our detailed post on how you can trick the upgrade advisor when it says Uninstall this app now because it isn’t compatible with Windows.

5] Delete the file blocking the upgrade

If Windows Setup says you have incompatible applications installed – but you are sure that you don’t have any, then you need to determine which file is triggering the block. To do this, follow these steps suggested by Microsoft:

Open Explorer and make sure the Show Hidden & System Files option is enabled.
Type *_APPRAISER_HumanReadable.xml in the search box and search the PC for file names that end with this term.
Right-click the file that ends with _APPRAISER_HumanReadable.xml and open the file with Notepad.
Press CTRL+F and search for DT_ANY_FMC_BlockingApplication. Look for the value; it should be True.
Next search for LowerCaseLongPathUnexpanded. The value contains the file path of the program that should be removed or transferred to another drive.
Make a note of the file path listed in the value for LowerCaseLongPathUnexpanded and copy it to Notepad.
Now open this file location in Explorer and delete the file.