Method 1: Modify the Autologger Registry Key (Most Effective)
If a corrupted or stuck update is holding the trace log hostage, clearing the SoftwareDistribution folder will force Windows to reset its update components and clear out active trace files.
If your computer is downloading and installing Windows Updates successfully, and you are not experiencing system crashes, blue screens, or extreme slowdowns, this error is mostly benign. It simply means a diagnostic background log failed to start.
Return to the Command Prompt and restart the services by typing and entering: net start wuauserv net start bits net start cryptsvc Restart your PC. Method 3: Run SFC and DISM Scans
In plain English, this means that the operating system tried to create a new session, task, or file with a specific name, but another active session or file was already using that exact same name. Because two things cannot occupy the exact same space in the system's registry or memory under the same identifier, the system fails to start the new session and throws this error.
Double-click on and change its value data from 1 to 0 . (Setting it to 0 disables the autologger from trying to boot up a duplicate session). Click OK . Restart your computer. Method 2: Clear the Windows Update Cache
While the core issue is always a name collision, several underlying factors can trigger this specific event:
Overprotective security software sometimes locks log files or prevents Windows from shutting down background tracing tasks properly.
Scroll down and uncheck the box next to . Click OK and restart your computer. Should You Be Worried About This Error? For the vast majority of users, no .