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
    2016-11-09T18:10:07+00:00

    I have already done all this but it still stops at checking for updates. I just did a recovery and was able to install some updates but not all of them. This time I can't get SkyDrive update to OneDrive. This is getting really frustrating. A simple update process shouldn't be this complicated...

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  2. Anonymous
    2016-11-09T01:13:15+00:00

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

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  3. Anonymous
    2016-11-09T00:17:31+00:00

    Based from the information and status of your device's Windows Update, it's possible that there are broken components that's causing this issue. Let's reset the Windows Update components this time.

    1. Before running the reset process, make sure to make a backup using the Restore Point.
    2. Once done, we will now stop the Services responsible for the Windows Update process. Run the Command Prompt and type the following script one at a time then press Enter key.

    net stop wuauserv

    net stop bits

    net stop cryptsvc

    net stop appidsvc

    net stop msiserver

    1. Delete all files found in these folders:

    C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution

    C:\Windows\System\Catroot2

    Provide permission to proceed when notified by the User Account Control.

    1. Restart your Surface RT device.
    2. Then, let's enable the Services once again. Open Command Prompt again, then run the scripts one at a time then press Enter key.

    net start wuauserv

    net start bits

    net start cryptsvc

    net start appidsvc

    net start msiserver

    1. Now check and install any available updates.

    Update us on the result.

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  4. Anonymous
    2016-11-09T00:07:04+00:00

    EXACTLY! we cannot even get into our surface tablet to do restore... it is stuck in a loop of saying update in progress and such... we cannot access anything or do anything on the tablet

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