Windows Update Error 0x80070661 — Fix the Incompatible Version Error

What Does This Error Mean?

Windows Update error 0x80070661 means Windows detected that the update is not compatible with your current system configuration or Windows version. This can happen when an update is designed for a different edition or build of Windows, or when required prerequisite updates are missing. Installing missing prerequisite updates and checking your Windows edition usually resolves this.

Affected Models

Windows 10
Windows 11
Windows 8.1
Windows Server

Common Causes

The update requires a prerequisite update to be installed first
The update is intended for a different Windows edition (Home vs Pro vs Enterprise)
Your Windows version is too far behind and needs intermediate updates first
The Windows component store has version tracking issues
A previous failed update left the system in a state that triggers version conflicts

How to Fix It

Check which edition of Windows you have. Go to Settings > System > About and look at the 'Windows specifications' section. Note your Edition (Home, Pro, etc.) and Version number.

Some updates are edition-specific. If an update is for Windows 10 Pro but you have Windows 10 Home, it will not install and will show a version incompatibility error.
Install all available updates first. Go to Settings > Windows Update and install everything listed. Restart as needed. Some updates require other updates to be installed before they can run.

This is called an update dependency chain. Installing all pending updates often resolves this error because the prerequisite update gets installed in the process.
Run DISM to repair Windows component version tracking. Open Command Prompt as Administrator and type: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

This repairs the component store that tracks which versions of Windows files are installed, which is often the root of compatibility conflicts.
Run the System File Checker. After DISM completes, type: sfc /scannow in the same elevated Command Prompt.

This repairs any corrupted system files that may be reporting incorrect version information.
If a specific optional update is failing, try hiding it and installing other updates first. In Windows Update, click 'View optional updates,' find the failing one, and skip it for now.

Sometimes an optional update becomes compatible after other updates are installed. Check back in a week and try the skipped update again.

When to Call a Professional

If you are on a corporate or managed PC and cannot install updates, your IT department may need to adjust update policies. For home users, if your Windows installation is badly out of date, a technician can bring it up to date systematically.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Windows Home and Pro?

Windows Home is designed for personal home use. Windows Pro includes extra features for business users like BitLocker encryption, Remote Desktop, and advanced management tools. Some updates and features are only available for Pro or Enterprise editions. You can upgrade from Home to Pro in Windows Settings, but it requires purchasing an upgrade license.

Can I be on Windows 10 and still get this error?

Yes. Windows 10 went through many major version releases (1903, 1909, 20H2, 21H2, 22H2, etc.). Some updates require you to be on a recent version of Windows 10 before they can install. If you are running a very old version of Windows 10, you may need to update to a newer version first.

Is it safe to skip an update that keeps failing?

It depends on what the update is. Security updates should never be permanently skipped as they patch vulnerabilities that hackers exploit. Feature updates or optional driver updates can generally be skipped if they keep failing without causing security issues. Always check the update description in Windows Update to understand what it is before skipping it.