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WU_E_OPERATIONINPROGRESS
WU_E_OPERATIONINPROGRESS means that a conflicting Windows Update operation is already in progress. Microsoft specifically notes that operations such as installation cannot be performed twice at the same time.
How to handle it
- Wait for the active operation to complete or obtain its result before starting another conflicting operation.
- Serialize update installation requests in automation and management software.
- Check for an installation or restart state left by another update workflow.
Serialize operations that WUA cannot run twice
The Windows Update error reference explicitly notes that some operations, including installation, cannot be performed twice simultaneously. For a custom updater, the useful fix is ownership and scheduling: maintain one active installation workflow, associate callbacks with that operation, and do not start another installer because progress appears slow.
When the error appears unexpectedly, inspect overlapping scheduled tasks, management agents, and application instances that use WUA. Record the caller identity and operation phase in your own logs. Once the active operation completes, search again before submitting the queued work, because the first operation may have installed prerequisites or changed the applicable update set.
References
References
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