error code 0x80070005: How do I fix this?

When are you encountering this error? If you can give little bit more details, it would help me to work out a fix.

I'm Greg, an installation specialist and 8 year Windows MVP, here to help you.

Is this a Windows Update error? See this fix for the specific error: https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/help/10164/...

Other situations that can have this error are addressed here: http://www.eassos.com/how-to/fix-error-code-0x8...

Concerning Windows Update situation now:

There's a lot of turmoil with Windows Updates right now, with problematic Updates being withdrawn and rewritten while a half billion PC's are being rescanned constantly to sort them all out. So unless it's interfering with performance I'd give it a few weeks to sort itself out.

If it is interfering or you don't want to wait then there is a new guided walk-through from Microsoft for repairing Windows Update that leads up to resetting components if necessary: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/10164/.... Try running that first.

You can try installing Updates manually from Microsoft Update catalog by searching for them here: http://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Search....

If Updates cause problems you can find out which one by checking at Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Installed Update History and uninstall them there.

You can block Windows Updates and Version Updates: https://www.howtogeek.com/224471/how-to-prevent...
https://www.computerworld.com/article/3241241/m...

You can also install this tool to tell you exactly your level of protection needed for the CPU threat that has lately caused some disruption, how it may affect performance, and what you can do about it: https://www.grc.com/inspectre.htm

You can get more control over Windows Updates with some new features in the last two versions at Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update under Restart Options and set Active Hours when you don't' want to be bothered.

As a last resort, you can set a Metered Connection or disable Windows Update service and only install the Version Updates twice a year when you are ready via the most stable method - which isn't Windows Update anyway, but by running it from Media Creation Tool or the media it creates: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/m.... All previous Updates are rolled up in the Version Update.

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and let us know how it goes. I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

Before carrying out this procedure, disconnect from the Internet. That means turning off Wi-Fi and disconnecting from a wired connection. If you don't, Windows 10 will indicate some files are in use and cannot be modified or the command will be non-responsive. Also, you should restart your computer after disconnecting from the Internet. The easiest way to do it is to enable Airplane mode from the Action Center - Windows key + A.

Open Start, type: CMD
Right click CMD
Click Run as administrator

Type each of the following then hit Enter

taskkill /f /fi "SERVICES eq wuauserv" (Do this multiple times)
net stop cryptSvc
net stop bits
net stop msiserver
ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
rmdir C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore
rmdir C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download

When complete, hit Enter, then restart, then try updating again.

If that does not work..

1. Open Start, type: CMD
Right click CMD
Click Run as administrator

Type each of the following then hit Enter

Run these codes:
Net Stop bits
Net Stop wuauserv
Net Stop appidsvc
Net Stop cryptsvc
Ren %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.bak
Ren %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 catroot2.bak
Net Start bits
Net Start wuauserv
Net Start appidsvc
Net Start cryptsvc
After running these commands, check if your issue is fixed.

Try this additional tips to see if they work:

Troubleshoot Windows Update Problems in Windows 10 Using These Five Tips

https://windows10.help/blogs/entry/23-troublesh...

Please check out this Windows 10 forum article called 0x80070005.

 

It advises you to use the virtual agent designed to guide you through the relevant steps to diagnose and fix the issue.