[Solved!] Your Device Is Missing Important Security and Quality Fixes

Jerry updated on Jan 11, 2024 | Home >Computer Instruction

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.

windows update error

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  • Out-of-date or problematic Servicing Stack Updates.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.

Workable Solutions Step-by-step Troubleshooting
Fix 1. Run Windows Update Troubleshooter Windows provides a troubleshooting feature that can...Full steps
Fix 2. Rename Software Distribution Folders The error usually occurs because of the corrupted...Full steps
Fix 3. Repair Corrupted System Files Corrupt system files are another reason that might...Full steps
Fix 4. Change Telemetry Level Microsoft Compatibility Telemetry gathers...Full steps
Fix 5. Reinstall Windows Updates Although Windows updates are designed to address...Full steps
Fix 6. Use Windows Update Assistant Windows Update Assistant downloads and installs...Full steps

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.

run windows update troubleshooter-1

Step 3. Locate and click Additional troubleshooters.

run windows update troubleshooter-2

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

run windows update troubleshooter-3

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.

rename software distribution folders-1

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

rename software distribution folders-2Step 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.

repair corrupted system files-1

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

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

repair corrupted system files-2

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.

change telemetry level-1

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

change telemetry level-2

Step 3. Double-click on Allow Telemetry.

change telemetry level-3

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.

change telemetry level-4

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.

reinstall windows updates-1

Step 2. Click Uninstall a program.

reinstall windows updates-2

Step 3. Select View installed updates.

reinstall windows updates-3

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

reinstall windows updates-4

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.

windows update assistant

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".

create system backup step1

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

create system backup step2

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

create system backup step3

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

create system backup step5

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.

create system backup step5

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.

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Updated by Daisy

Daisy is the Senior editor of the writing team for EaseUS. She has been working at EaseUS for over ten years, starting as a technical writer and moving on to being a team leader of the content group. As a professional author for over ten years, she writes a lot to help people overcome their tech troubles.

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Written by Jerry

"I hope my articles can help solve your technical problems. If you are interested in other articles, you can check the articles at the bottom of this page, and you can also check my Facebook to get additional help."

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