Resetting Surface RT in NOV 2016. Cannot get Windows RT 8.1 Update 3. [Solved]

Anonymous
2016-11-15T05:47:14+00:00

Hi

I reset my Surface RT recently. After resetting, I could not get Windows RT 8.1 Update 3 back like before.

My Windows Update now checking for update forever. I left it open for 24 hours, the process is in infinite loop.

  1. I tried the method reset the Windows Update components (Stop services, delete Windows\SoftwareDistribution). It doesn't work.
  2. I check my installed update, I can't find KB2919442.
  3. I can't download or update any apps from Windows Store too. (wsreset.exe tried)

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Updates (JANUARY 2017) *You can skip this to the solution below

================

  1. gianpietromerighetti found Windows RT 8.1 update 3 standalone installer
  2. Evan Forrest made a step by step guide to get Windows RT 8.1 Update 3
  3. Windows update and Windows Store issues are still not solved.
  4. According to Barb Bowman, Surface Support is aware of the problem and working to push a fix out quickly but don't have an exact time frame.

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Solution (Issues solved)

================

Thanks to one of the community member Stjinchan found a solution and provided a complete guide.

Step 1: Download KB3173424 from HERE.

Step 2 : Download KB3172614 from HERE.

Step 3: TURN OFF your WiFi, and reboot the surface.

Step 4: Install KB3173424 by opening it.

Step 5: Reboot the surface.

Step 6: Install KB3172614 by opening it.

Step 7: Reboot the surface.

Step 8: TURN ON your WiFi, start searching for updates.

▲ Windows Update: I completed every updates using the method above.

▲ Windows Store: My Windows Store is working and got a new interface.

Surface | Other

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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Anonymous
2017-01-17T19:55:27+00:00

After contacting Microsoft, and doing research for at least a few weeks, I found a solution to this major problem.

Alright, so I got a permanent solution for the Windows Update searching disaster! :)

Step 1: Restore your Surface RT with the recovery image from the microsoft website. (optional)

Step 2: Set up your surface and head to Windows update.

Step 3: Search for updates, after 30m-1h you will see a firmware update, press install without modifying the update list.

Step 4: After the installation succeeded, and your surface rt restarted go ahead and search again for updates.

Step 5: Again you will see a package of updates, this update includes the Windows RT 8.1 Update 1 update (kb2919355).

Step 6: When you finished installing the updates and your surface rebooted again, go to "installed updates" and check if kb2919355 is installed.

Step 7: If not, try to install the updates again. If it did, start searching for updates again.

Step 8: Once Windows Update is searching for at least 4 hours we came at the point where most of us are stuck.

THE SOLUTION

Step 9: Download kb3173424 from HERE.

Step 10 : Download kb3172614 from HERE.

Step 11: Turn off your Wifi, and reboot the surface.

Step 12: Install kb3173424 by opening it.

Step 13: Reboot the surface.

Step 14: Install kb3172614 by opening it.

Step 15: Reboot the surface.

Step 16: Turn on your Wifi, start searching for updates and after 10+/- minutes you will see 180+ updates coming your way :D.

I hope this helps a lot of people, since it was a major problem on the Surface RT.

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  1. Anonymous
    2016-11-11T16:56:07+00:00

    I eventually got SkyDrive update to OneDrive. Now the total of installed updates counts to 233. Exactly like the last time I did a recovery and installed all updates the process could find me. Now the process is stuck and I'm missing update 3 and more important updates. Last time I had the update process running for days without success.

    Updates are sent out by batch. This may take longer than expected but they will surely land on your device. I've sent you message to request some information.

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  2. Anonymous
    2016-11-11T16:34:53+00:00

    how am i supposed to run command prompt when i cant access anything on the tablet?

    This is in reference to my response last November 9,

    "Thanks for the update.

    Consider performing a Restore or Reset on your Surface RT. It's the best option to have it back up and running. It's important to read theFAQ's first before performing a reset or a recovery.

    Should you consider recovery, download the recovery image here.

    Recovery is basically a factory reset. So be sure all your data has been backed up.*

    (*If files are available to be extracted or stored in separate External Hard Drive.)

    Let us now how it goes."

    Have you tried performing a Recovery through image?

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  3. Anonymous
    2016-11-10T05:59:28+00:00

    I eventually got SkyDrive update to OneDrive. Now the total of installed updates counts to 233. Exactly like the last time I did a recovery and installed all updates the process could find me. Now the process is stuck and I'm missing update 3 and more important updates. Last time I had the update process running for days without success.

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  4. Anonymous
    2016-11-10T03:04:46+00:00

    I cant even get mine to stop cycling through updates. I have tried all of the hard resets, but it is still stuck in the loop. This is ridiculous that an automatic update has made my tablet useless and there are no fixes...

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