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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Answer accepted by question author
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
    2017-06-09T15:25:34+00:00

    Thank you

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-06-09T16:27:13+00:00

    well all i can say is this solved my problem i installed all of the updates in the post and i can install anything from the app store now and i get updates if any are available so if you do it the way he says to it should work it did for me.

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-06-27T22:48:20+00:00

    Unlike my Microsoft Surface RT, my Lumia 2520 has never had any problems with the store or updating.  It has Update 3 and the Windows 10 start menu installed.  But for the life of me I can't get it to work on my Surface RT.  I have a Surface RT 2 that also has all the updates and the start menu.

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  4. Anonymous
    2017-06-28T01:25:52+00:00

    Here is what I have done on more than one Surface RT.

    Requirements:

      You have 8.1 update installed

      You still have the recovery partition on drive C:

    Reset your RT from within Windows.  Reset, not refresh.  Connect the RT to charge.

    https://www.microsoft.com/surface/en-us/support/warranty-service-and-recovery/refresh-or-reset-surface-rt#within

    One of the pages will ask for a drive encryption key. Go to the bottom of the page and select ‘Not this Drive”

    When the reset finishes, in settings go to ‘Power and Sleep’, ‘When plugged in’ set to ‘Never’

    All updating is done from the Control Panel, Windows Update.

    After each search for updates is complete click on the blue line that says ‘important updates are available’ to see what is found. You can speed things up by hiding all Office updates.  Right click an Office update and select ‘Hide’.   To select a long list, select the bottom Office update, hole down the shift key, select the top office update. Now all are selected, right click, hide. 

    Install all other updates found. 

    When Windows updates are all done and Update 3 is installed go back and restore hidden updates and install the Office Updates.

    Start Update Instillation Here

    Turn on WiFi, Search for updates from the Control Panel, you will see a firmware update, install all Windows updates, restart

    *When you go back to Windows Update it will show updates are available. Do not install these updates. What you need is KB2919355 and it will not be there.  Stay on the page and search for updates.

    Install KB2919355 along with the other updates.  KB3173424 May be in this batch, that's OK, go ahead and install it.Restart. 

    Go to Control Panel, Programs and Features, View installed updates. See that KB2919355 is installed.

    Turn off  Wifi,  install KB3173424, restart

     Install KB3172614, restart

     Turn on Wifi, search for updates, should find over 200 updates, install, restart

    Turn off Wi-Fi and install KB3097667

    To get the Win 10 interface, after the restart, right-click on Taskbar > Properties, Start Menu.   Check the box, Use the Start Menu instead of the Start Screen for no more metro screen

    KB3173424, KB3172614 and KB3097667 are standalone MSI update installer files that you download to install at the correct time.

    Download KB3173424 HERE.

    Download KB3172614 HERE.

    Download   KB3097667 Windows RT 8.1 Update 3 Standalone Package

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