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.

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

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
    2017-01-08T08:34:27+00:00

    One thing i've experienced is every time running the troubleshooting for windows update it "repairs" two problems.

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-01-07T22:37:44+00:00

    I will never buy a Microsoft tablet again this is ridiculous nobody should have the trouble everybody is having that shows how much they care ill bet if somebody came out with a comparable op they would change their tune then. I keep getting told by some tech on here to take mine to a Microsoft store well microsoft should put some kind of update in that will fix this hole problem.

    Couldn't have said it better. The fact the RT had such a rocky history is because Microsoft management was out of touch and going in the wrong direction with Windows 8. It's somewhat the same as Samsung and the Note 7 debacle. No explanations, plenty of excuses, and then almost total abandonment like it never existed. It's a shame, because even in it's present form (without the crippling updates) it isn't a bad pad, and I think it got a bad rap from a lot of the techno-geeks when it came out. The result, Windows 10 is actually good. Too bad RT owners are left in the lurch. I don't have 800 to 1500 dollars to spend on a Surface. If I did, I might as well go for an Apple, or save some money on a Android pad.

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-01-07T20:07:41+00:00

    If Windows Update has been checking for a long time, try manually stopping and restarting the service to see if it has found any updates to install. To do this, leave the Windows Update window open and:

    1. Run services.msc
    2. Scroll down the list to Windows Update.
    3. Tap and hold Windows Update and select Restart.
    4. Go back to the Windows Update window and see if it found any updates.

    Hope this helps,

    Greg

    @Greg this is not working, it was the first thing i've tried. Since there are so many with this problem could you provide a hotfix or escalate this problem?

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  4. Anonymous
    2017-01-07T20:02:29+00:00

    Surface RT was rubbish before it was born, and it will be still rubbish when it will die.

    I guess it is the worst device i ever had. Even worst than my first Windows Phone that was actually running WP7!

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