How to Install and Troubleshoot the Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) on Windows Server

The Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) is a Windows component that enables applications to transfer files in the background using idle network bandwidth. It is commonly used by Windows Update, Microsoft Store, and other services to download updates and content without interrupting the user’s network experience.

To use BITS, you need to enable it on your Windows Server. The process varies slightly depending on your server version, but it typically involves using the Windows Components Wizard or Server Manager to select the BITS Server Extensions component.

Once BITS is installed, it will automatically start running in the background, allowing other applications to utilize its file transfer capabilities. This can help reduce network congestion and improve overall system performance.

Troubleshooting BITS Issues

If you encounter problems with the BITS service, such as it not starting or not functioning correctly, there are a few troubleshooting steps you can take:

Use the Background Intelligent Transfer Service troubleshooter in Control Panel to automatically detect and fix common issues.
Run the System File Checker (SFC) and Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tools from an elevated Command Prompt to scan and repair any system file corruption that may be causing problems with BITS.
Install the latest quality update for Windows 10 manually from the Microsoft Update Catalog website if the above steps do not resolve the issue.

By following these installation and troubleshooting guidelines, you can ensure that the BITS service is properly configured and functioning on your Windows Server, enabling smooth background file transfers for various applications and services.