Your device is missing important security and quality fixes windows 10

What Does «Your Device Is Missing Important Security and Quality Fixes» Mean

Installing the latest Windows update is vital for the overall health of your system, but doing so is more challenging than it may seem. When you try to update your Windows, the update error «Your device is missing important security and quality fixes» might appear.

The error may occur when you haven’t updated your computer or are running a significantly outdated operating system. And when Windows tries to download or install an update on your computer but cannot, an error like this happens. This error message typically indicates that your Windows computer falls behind critical upgrades that can enhance the performance of its software. Besides, it implies that the most recent Windows update you installed might be flawed or corrupt.

What Causes «Your Device Is Missing Important Security and Quality Fixes»

Your Windows computer missing security and quality fixes may happen because of corrupt system files, particularly those critical for updating Windows. However, there can be additional factors. The following are some potential causes of this error:

• Bugs in recent updates.
• Broken or incomplete update installation.
• Third-party programs that prevent upgrades.
• Out-of-date or problematic Servicing Stack Updates.
• Malware infection.
• The Telemetry level set to Security only.

Now that we know the potential cause of this error on your computer, we can discuss the troubleshooting methods.

How to Fix «Your Device Is Missing Important Security and Quality Fixes»

Do not worry if you are encountering this error. There are a few workable solutions to fix this issue. You can refer to any solutions mentioned below to help fix this error. Let’s see how they work in detail.

Fix 1. Run Windows Update Troubleshooter

Windows provides a troubleshooting feature that can help find and fix systemic issues. You may solve this error using the Windows Update Troubleshooter, which can resolve common problems in the Windows Update service. Take the following steps:

Step 1. Press the Win + I keys to open Windows Settings.

Step 2. Go to Update & Security > Troubleshoot.

Step 3. Locate and click Additional troubleshooters.

Step 4. Select Windows Update under Get up and running, click Run the troubleshooter and wait for it to complete its operation.

Step 5. Once done, exit the troubleshooter and try installing the updates to see if the issue has been fixed.

Fix 2. Rename Software Distribution Folders

The error usually occurs because of the corrupted Windows Update files essential to install the updates in the Software Distribution folder. If these files are corrupted, you cannot update the Windows. You can either rename or delete the file folder to help you fix this error. The detailed steps are as follows:

Step 1. Type «cmd» in the search bar and click Run as administrator.

Step 2. In the Command Prompt, type each of the commands below one by one, and then press Enter after each to execute.

Note: Wait for each command to complete before typing the following command.

• net stop wuauserv
• net stop cryptsvc
• net stop bits
• net stop msiserver
• ren %systemroot%\softwaredistribution softwaredistribution.bak
• ren %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 catroot2.bak
• net start wuauserv
• net start cryptSvc
• net start bits
• net start msiserver

Step 3. Restart your computer after all commands are executed. You can try installing the updates now.

Fix 3. Repair Corrupted System Files

Corrupt system files are another reason that might result in this issue. Your computer’s crucial system files could be damaged, preventing you from using specific Windows features. This often occurs when your computer becomes infected with malware and viruses. Thus, you can try to repair corrupted Windows files by executing the DISM or SFC commands.

Step 1. Type «cmd» in the search bar and click Run as administrator.

Step 2. Copy and paste the commands below and press Enter after each command.

• DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
• Sfc /scannow

Step 3. Once done, close Command Prompt and check whether Windows Update can work normally.

Fix 4. Change Telemetry Level

Microsoft Compatibility Telemetry gathers information on the performance of your computer and the software and sends it to Microsoft. Some Windows updates might not work if the Telemetry setting is disabled or set to «security-only.» Therefore, you can alter the level to help resolve the issue. Perform the following steps to change the Telemetry level:

Step 1. Input Local Group Policy Editor in the search box and click Open.

Step 2. Head for Computer Configuration > Administrative Template > Windows Components > Data Collection and Preview Builds.

Step 3. Double-click on Allow Telemetry.

Step 4. Choose Enabled and change the Telemetry level to any option except 0 — Security [Enterprise Only]. Once finished, click Apply, then click OK to save the changes.

Fix 5. Reinstall Windows Updates

Although Windows updates are designed to address system problems, this is not always the case. Broken updates can occasionally result in issues like «Your device is missing important security and quality fixes». Here’s how to fix it:

Step 1. Input Control Panel in the search box and click Open.

Step 2. Click Uninstall a program.

Step 3. Select View installed updates.

Step 4. Find the most recently installed update, right-click on it, then click Uninstall.

Step 5. After that, reboot your computer to check Windows updates, then reinstall the updates.

Fix 6. Use Windows Update Assistant

Windows Update Assistant downloads and installs the most recent Windows Update files without depending on the in-built Windows services needed to install the update. Therefore, you can also try Windows Update Assistant to install the updates.

Step 1. Download Windows Update Assistant from Microsoft’s official site.

Step 2. Launch it and click on Yes in the confirmation prompt.

Step 3. Click on Update Now. Then wait for the updates to be downloaded.

Additional Guide: How to Backup your Computer

You should fix it immediately if you encounter «Your device is missing important security and quality fixes» error. This can keep your Windows up-to-date. However, there needs to be more than keeping Windows updated to keep your computer safe.

Data on a computer is easily lost after computer virus or malware attacks, so it would be best if you back up your precious data. Besides, backing up your Windows system is considered good practice before any update, so you may revert to a previous version in case something goes wrong. Under such circumstances, professional backup software, like EaseUS Todo Backup, is an excellent choice for you to back up your computer.

EaseUS Todo Backup Home is an all-in-one backup tool for Windows 11/10/8/7. It can automatically back up the operating system, file, disk, partition, etc. it allows you to create scheduled, full, incremental and differential backups and store them in various locations, for example, the local drive, NAS, Security Zone, and cloud. In addition, it lets you create an iso image from the operating system and install Windows on a new SSD without using a USB. It is worth noting that this backup software offers 250G of free cloud storage.

You can perform the steps below to create a system backup of your computer.

Step 1. On the main page, click «Select backup contents«.

Step 2. Among the four available categories, click OS.

Step 3. EaseUS Todo Backup will automatically select your system partition, you only need to select the backup destination.

Step 4. Both Local Drive and NAS are available for you to save the backup file.

Step 5. After finishing the backup process, you can check the backup status, recover, open, or delete the backup by right-clicking the backup task on the left.

The Bottom Line

That is all about how to fix «Your device is missing important security and quality fixes» error. If you are encountering this error and are bothered by this error, you can try ant methods mentioned above. You should meticulously follow the steps of every method to help resolve the issue.

Backing up your computer is a troubleshooting way for many problems you encounter with your computer. EaseUS Todo Backup is a nice tool for backing up your computer. Do not hesitate to try it.

FAQs

1. How do I manually install a security update?

Go to Start > Control Panel > Security > Security Center > Windows Update in Windows Security Center. Within the Windows Update window, click View Available Updates. The system will automatically check whether any updates are required and show you which ones can be downloaded and installed on your computer.

2. How do I fix error code 0x80248007?

You might occasionally notice the Windows Installer service running. Right-click on the Windows Installer service and select Restart. Run Check for Updates after waiting for the service to resume. That ought to fix the 0x80248007 Windows update download error.

Are you unable to update Windows because of the “Your device is missing important security and quality fixes” error?

For smooth performance and overall health of the system, installing Windows updates is crucial. But if there are PC configuration issues, some temporary bugs, the PC hasn’t been updated in a while, or the operating system is significantly outdated, you might encounter the error.

This troubleshooting guide discusses some workable fixes to resolve the “Your device is missing important security and quality fixes” error. The best part about these methods is that you can use them to fix other similar updated issues.

What Does “Your Device Is Missing Important Security and Quality Fixes” Mean?

Typically, the error indicates that critical updates are not installed on your PC, and you might face performance issues. Besides, it suggests that the most recent updates installed might be problematic or corrupt.

Causes for “Your Device Is Missing Important Security and Quality Fixes

Several reasons can cause the computer’s missing security and quality fix error message. Here we enlist some probable causes for the error:

1. Corrupt system files.
2. The latest update has some bugs.
3. The update was broken or partially installed.
4. Third-party software is preventing updates from being downloaded.
5. Outdated or problematic Servicing Stack Updates.
6. PC is infected.
7. The Telemetry level is set to Security only.

How to Fix “Your device is missing important security and quality fixes” Error on Windows?

The error does not seem fatal until it becomes difficult to update the PC. However, there’s nothing to worry about, as a few workable ways will help fix the issue. You can follow the solutions below to find the right fix.

Note – The screenshots used in the article are taken from Windows 11. If you are using Windows 10, you might find a difference in visual appearance and a slight variation in the option’s name. Do not get confused because of that. For any assistance, drop us a line in the comments section.

Solution 1. Reinstall the Previous Important Update

The Windows updates your PC gets regularly are essential. They give a sense of reliability that your PC’s security is getting refreshed now and then. Most of the time, these updates are installed without any issues. However, the error is generated if an older Windows update is broken.

The best way to deal with such a situation is to remove the broken update files and re-install the security update. Here’s how you can do it –

• Use your Windows taskbar to search for the updated history of the PC.
• Open the View Update History option available on your computer.

• Here, you will probably find the history of installed security and quality updates (if any). Select the most recently installed update > click Uninstall and confirm the action by again clicking Uninstall.

Note – If you cannot find the Uninstall option, scroll down and click Uninstall updates . From here, select the recent update, click Uninstall > confirm the action, and again click Uninstall.(Windows 11 users)

• Once you have uninstalled the recent update, restart your PC.
• Again, check for updates and reinstall it; it should work.

If this doesn’t help, move to the next fix.

Read Also: Identifying if Your PC Drivers Need Updates! Is there a Way?

Solution 2. Run Windows Update Built-In Troubleshooter

The troubleshooting feature of Windows is not always the go-to solution for the issues you face. However, it has surely gotten better over time. If the above technique did not fix the issue, you can initiate Windows update troubleshooting.

To initiate the troubleshooting error on Windows 10 & 11, follow the given path –

• Windows 11

  Go to Settings (Press Windows + I to open it) System → Troubleshoot→ Other troubleshooters→ Windows Update.

• Windows 10

  Open Windows Settings (Press Windows + I) → Update & Security → Troubleshoot→ Additional Troubleshooters → Windows Update.

• Click on Run (Windows 11) and Run the troubleshooter (in Windows 10) to initiate the troubleshooter for Windows Update.
• Wait for the troubleshooter to work out the potential errors and follow on-screen instructions to resolve the error.

Let the troubleshooting process get over. Restart your PC and check if the error  “Your device is missing important security and quality fixes” is gone. If it is still there, move on to the next fix!

Solution 3. Enable Telemetry Settings on Your PC

If you are even slightly good with computers, you can easily perform this technique. Telemetry is your PC’s ultimate connection with Microsoft’s support, allowing it to send data directly to Microsoft.

If, by chance, these settings are off, you should try turning them on. This is because updates are often installed based on how your PC behaves. If Microsoft does not know of it, you might not get some important quality updates. To enable these settings, follow the given steps –

• Open Run by pressing Windows + R.
• Insert the Command gpedit.msc to open the group policy editor.

• Click Apply > OK.

Once the telemetry settings are applied, restart your PC. Considering if your telemetry was off, this should do the trick for you. Check for the latest update for Windows and install it to delete the error.

Solution 4. Reset Windows Updates Service

When Windows service components are corrupt, you encounter “Your device is missing important security and quality fixes.” To reset them manually through Command Prompt, follow the steps below:

Note – We must first stop the services required for Windows Updates to reset the service. After, we will delete the Software Distribution folder as Windows stores temporary updates in it. Windows detects and creates a new one when missing, so there is nothing to worry about. Lastly, we will restart the service to fix the device missing essential updates messages.

• Press Windows + R to open the Run window.
• Type cmd in the Run dialog box and press Ctrl+Shift+Enter. This will open Command Prompt with admin rights.
  

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• Here, copy and paste the following commands. Make sure you press the Enter key after each command.

net stop wuauserv

net stop bits

net stop appidsvc

net stop cryptsvc

• After running the above commands, copy and paste – Ren %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old command in the Command Prompt window and press Enter.
• After that, copy and paste the following commands and press enter after pasting each command:

net start wuauserv

net start bits

net start appidsvc

net start cryptsvc

• Windows Updates error should now be gone.

Solution 5. Modify the Registry

When looking for additional information about the error, some users found the error message – “You can’t install Windows on a USB flash Drive using setup.” If you also encounter a similar error message, a specific change in Windows Registry can help fix it. You need to change the value of the PortableOperatingSystem key in the Registry to 0.

However, before we learn how to modify the registry, take a complete backup of the Windows Registry.

Press Windows + R to open the Run window. Here, type regedit.exe and press the Enter key. Then, in the Registry Editor, click File > Export > Give it a name and save the backup.

Once that is done, follow these steps:

• Press the Win + R keys together to open Run.
• Type regedit and click OK > click Yes if you get the User Account Control prompt.
• Look for HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control in the Registry Editor
• Double-click on PortableOperatingSystem and change the Value data to 0.
  

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• Click OK > close the Registry Editor > restart the PC to check if the issue is fixed.

Solution 6 – Check System Files for Inconsistencies

In some cases, when essential system files are corrupt, then, too, you face the error message. To fix it, scan the system files for errors and fix them using SFC and DISM commands. To use these commands, follow the steps below:

Solution 7 – Use Windows Update Assistant

If nothing has worked so far, try using Windows Update Assistant. It downloads and installs the most recent Windows Update without using the built-in Windows services.

Step 1. Download Windows Update Assistant from Microsoft’s official site.

Step 2. Install it by following on-screen prompts.

Step 3. Click on Update Now and wait for the update to download.

Now restart the PC and check for updates. You should no longer face any issues.

Pro Tip: Make Sure Drivers are Updated on your PC

While the above techniques revolve around the Windows Update settings, the error “your device is missing important security and quality fixes” might also result from missing drivers on your PC.

Drivers are a crucial part of your PC, and while outdated drivers do not directly cause this error, they might add to the gruesome repercussions that this error may cause. Not to mention, running your PC with outdated drivers is not recommended as it may cause a lot of errors.

However, you cannot deny that updating all drivers is a tough nut to crack, especially if you have to do it manually. Well, good for you; there’s an automated way!

Advanced Driver Updater is the ultimate tool that you can use to finish all your driver updates in just a few clicks. The tool is easy to use and takes 5 steps to finish the task. Check out the steps below.

• Download the Advanced Driver Updater on your PC and install it.

• Run the application to find the welcome screen with the Start Scan Now button.

•  Initiate the preliminary analysis of outdated drivers on your PC

• Once the scanning is finished, you will have a number of outdated drivers listed on your screen
• Review the software that it has listed and click on update all to update the outdated drivers.

It is that easy! Updating the drivers will make your PC smoother and help you rectify common errors such as “your device is missing important security and quality fixes.”

FAQ

Q1. How to fix security settings missing or changed in Windows 10, issue?

There are different ways to fix the “Some security settings are missing or have been changed” error. Here are the best solutions you can try.

1. Restart and re-register TrustedInstaller (Windows Modules Installer Service).

Once this is done, open Command Prompt as Administrator.

If you are working on a 32-bit operating system, copy and paste the below commands one by one.

Press Enter after each:

%windir%\system32\msiexec.exe /unregister
%windir%\system32\msiexec.exe /regserver

64-Bit operating system users, please use the following commands.

Press Enter after each:
%windir%\syswow64\msiexec.exe /unregister
%windir%\syswow64\msiexec.exe /regserver

Restart the system. This should work.

2. Repair Corrupted Files

1. Open Command Prompt as Admin
2. Type  DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth and press enter. Wait for the command to process.
   

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3. After that, enter sfc /scannow and press the Enter key.

This will replace the files in the Windows cache and fix the error.

Q2. Why does Windows 10 show your device is missing important security and quality fixes?

The error usually occurs due to corrupted Windows Update files required to install the updates in the Software Distribution folder. You can easily fix this error using the steps we discussed above.

Q3. How do I reinstall the Windows Security update?

You can reinstall Windows Security update through Windows PowerShell. To do so, follow these steps:

1. Press Windows + X > select Windows Terminal (Admin)

2. Copy and paste the following command and press the Enter key:-
Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.SecHealthUI -AllUsers | Reset-AppxPackage

3. Wait for the command to execute. Once done, you will get a success message. Close Terminal.

4. Restart the PC and the security update will be reinstalled.

No Longer Missing On Windows Updates

There are multiple ways to resolve the issue, provided you can spend time on your PC. On a lighter note, the error is not fatal as it will not cost you all your data or slow down your PC; however, it might make your PC prone to virus and malware attacks.

Resolving the error and keeping your PC drivers up to date are the ultimate ways of using your machine well. I hope this blog gives you a solution to your PC issue. Let me know in the comments which technique worked for you. Catch you at the next one!

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