keeps installing the same windows update kb2538242

Whenever Microsoft releases a cumulative update, the Windows 10 update history would have detailed information about the update, and also has information about the prerequisite update. This issue can happen if the Servicing Stack Update (SSU) was not installed before installing the Cumulative Update. Install the Servicing Stack Update (Prerequisite) first Checking the View your Update history page in Windows Settings shows two entries for the same update – it will report that installation completed successfully twice. Then, after some days or weeks, the same update would appear in Windows Update, and this time it installs successfully.

Due to the lack of any error code or message, the end-user would assume that the update has installed successfully.

However, Windows goes through the “preparing” and “install” screens as if the update is installing correctly. After the 1st install and followed by a subsequent restart, the Windows build and version number would show that the system hasn’t been patched successfully. Many users have experienced a problem where the cumulative updates, e.g., KB4494441, KB4457128, KB4505056 installed twice on the computer. Read more at Simplifying on-premises deployment of servicing stack updates. With the Windows Update experience where the SSU and LCU are deployed together to the device, the update stack automatically orchestrates the installation, so both are applied correctly. You don’t need to install SSU separately.

Update (2021): Microsoft now combines the latest servicing stack update (SSU) for your operating system with the latest Cumulative Update (LCU).

Keeps installing the same windows update kb2538242