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CreateDirectory failed Error when Publishing Third-Party Updates

In this video guide, we will cover an error you may encounter when trying to publish third-party software updates to WSUS.

This exception happens when the WSUS UpdateServicesPackages folder or WSUSContent folder doesn’t exist, isn’t shared correctly, not set correctly in the SUSDB, or has incorrect permissions.

Topics covered in this article:

Determine if You Are affected by Error: CreateDirectory failed

Depending on the method you are using to publish updates to WSUS, you will see one of the following errors in the PatchMyPC.logSMS_ISVUPDATES_SYNCAGENT.log, SCUP.log, or UpdatesPublisher.log

An error occurred while publishing an update to WSUS: createdirectory failed

SyncUpdate: Exception Message: CreateDirectory failed

Exception Message: CreateDirectory failed

Step 1: Check if the WSUS Content Shared Directories Exist

If Step 1 looks okay, perform the following check: Open the Computer Management snap-in by opening a run dialog and typing compmgmt.msc

createdirectory failed verify WSUS Shares Exist

If the WsusContent or UpdateServicesPackages don’t exist you can either manually create them with the appropriate permissions or an easier option may be to move the WSUS content folders to a new folder to reset all settings.

We expect to see that both folders exist, and the paths match those found above in the share dialog

Step 2: Validate the Permissions on the WsusContent and UpdateServicesPackages Shares

After validating the shares exist, confirm the WsusContent or UpdateServicesPackages have Allow permissions for the Share Permissions for NETWORK SERVICE, WSUS Administrators, and Administrators.

validate sharing permissions wsuscontent

For NTFS permissions on the Security tab, you will need to ensure the Allow permission is applied for the following users and groups: SYSTEM, NETWORK SERVICE, WSUS Administrators, Administrators.

 NTFS Permissions Needed to Fix createdirectory failed

Step 3: Validate the WSUS Content Folder in the Registry Matches the SUSDB

If steps 1 and 2 are correct, you should check the values in the registry match the values in the database (SUSDB).

  1. To check the WSUS ContentDir in the Registry check: HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Update Services\Server\Setup:ContentDir
  2. To check the value in the SUSDB run the following query in SQL Management Studio against the SUSDB:

Select LocalContentCacheLocation from tbConfigurationB

Ensure the paths resolve to the same root folder as shown below:

Validate WSUSContent Matches for Error An error occurred while publishing an update to WSUS: createdirectory failed

If these values don’t match and one is incorrect, you should review the following KB instead specific to this scenario: Failed to sign package; error was: 2147942403

Step 4: If you have HTTPS configured, validate that the SSL Cert contains the correct DNS entries

If you have HTTPS configured in your environment, you need to ensure that the correct DNS names (both alias and FQDN) were added when the SSL Certificate was issued.
Follow these steps to verify if the correct names were added: 

1. Go to IIS, select WSUS Administration and click on Bindings

2. Select the https binding and choose Edit. 

3. Next to your SSL Certificate, press the View button. 

4. Go on the Details tab, and scroll down until you find the Subject Alternative Name. If you click on it, you should find 2 DNS entries, one for the Alias and one for the FQDN. 

If the wrong names were added when the certificate was issued, you would have to request the certificate again, and this time add the correct DNS names.
You can follow this video guide we posted on our youtube channel for instructions. 

Once the new SSL certificate is requested and added, you would have to use the wsusutil.exe command to configuressl again. This is also referenced in the video guide linked above. 

Resolution for the Issues in Step 1 or Step 2 (Video Format)

The video guide goes into more detail about why the updates fail to publish to WSUS with the error “CreateDirectory failed” and the possible resolutions.

If this resolution doesn’t work for you, please use our technical support form here https://patchmypc.com/technical-support