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
    2017-01-07T17:50:01+00:00

    Same problem here with a lumia 2520 and RT. Last automatically downloaded Update was KB3033055. Microsoft has to fix this problem!

    Searching for updates is loading endless...

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-01-07T11:21:50+00:00

    I left Windows Update checking for one and a half day to get the 2919355 which i installed Yesterday together with 50 new security updates for Office.

    But now, after another day searching for new ones, WU haven't found nothing yet. I let it running and not touching this POS tablet. I dont really need Update 3, Update 1 is enough good compared to early builds of Windows RT 8.1.

    But it makes no sense whats going on. MS really wants us to move to a Surface 4 or at least the 3.

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-01-07T01:20:22+00:00

    2919355 happens to be the last update I got. 2883200was updated a day earlier. No updates since Dec 23

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  4. Anonymous
    2017-01-06T21:22:33+00:00

    The update panel will only show "Checking for Updates ..." and just sits there and scans.

    To find out if updates come across, you wait for about half a day and then click on the menu and then click on the power icon to shut it down.  If you see a message in the list "Restart and Install Updates", then "YES", they came across and you can now do that.

    Also, never use the power button itself to shut down the tablet.  It only puts the machine in sleep mode and thus, never installs the downloaded updates.  Only perform the proper shutdown via the menu power icon.

    Another thing as well; when the machine is sitting and checking for updates, leave the machine alone and just sit it aside and let it run.  Do not use any program, just let it run.

    After installing one batch of updates, you may need to repeat the process about three or four times to get all the updates.

    Mine took a total of four days to run a complete set of updates.

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