Windows 7 Service Pack 1 x64 Installation Failure error code 0x80073701

Anonymous
2011-02-24T08:39:39+00:00

Hi, I have tried to install SP1 on Window 7 Home Premium x64 several times today and all end up with failure with the same error code. (error code 0x80073701 - the reference can not be found). I have tried troubleshooting windows update, system update readiness tools, disabling security software, and even installing in safe mode, and all end up with failure. I use offline installer (windows6.1-KB976932-X64.exe) because using windows update, the download can't even start (at first, it starts, then stuck at 22%, and then it shows the same error code).

Hope you can help...

Additional information:

Firewall: Windows Firewall

Antivirus: Microsoft Security Essential 2.0

Additional security softwares: Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 1.50 with real-time protection (has been disabled, but still fail), Panda USB Vaccine (I think this has no connection at all with this problem)

Additional resident programs: SmartDefrag 1.5, Advanced SystemCare 3.7.3, Daemon Tools Lite

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Windows update

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.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2011-03-03T18:59:19+00:00

Ferdian and Ron,

Can you try the following:

  1. Uninstall all updates for Windows. Go to Control Panel, then Uninstall a Program, then click on View installed updateson the left. One by one, find everything under the "Microsoft Windows" category that's listed as an "Update" or "Security Update", right-click on it and Uninstall (if available). You may need to reboot.
  2. Run the following from an administrator cmd prompt: dism /online /remove-package /packagename:Package_for_KB976932~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~6.1.1.17514
  3. Try to install SP1 again.

Let me know if this resolves your problem. Thank you both so much for your cooperation in this matter!

Mark [MSFT]

Was this answer helpful?

60+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

95 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2011-03-04T19:35:57+00:00

    Forgot to add... Please also uninstall any versions of Internet Explorer 9 (beta or RC) that you have. This can be done from "View installed updates" similar to step 1.

    Mark [MSFT]

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2011-03-04T19:18:48+00:00

    Thanks Ferdian87 for your patience and for being very cooperative with this matter.

    After some thought, I realized I may be missing some steps from what I gave you. I believe you may need to remove the extra language packs after removing the other updates.

    Ron -- If you still are experiencing the error, please try the following steps:

    1. Uninstall all updates for Windows. Go to Control Panel, thenUninstall a Program, then click on View installed updateson the left. One by one, find everything under the "Microsoft Windows" category that's listed as an "Update" or "Security Update", right-click on it andUninstall (if available). You may need to reboot.
    2. Uninstall all other languages aside from the one you use. Go to Control Panel, then click on Clock, Language, and Region, and then click on Region and Language. Click on the Keyboards and Languages tab, then click Install/Uninstall languages. Follow the instructions to remove the unnecessary languages.
    3. The following command may not work and return an error. If so, ignore it and move on to the next step. Run the following from an administrator cmd prompt: dism /online /remove-package /packagename:Package_for_KB976932~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~6.1.1.17514
    4. Try to install SP1 again.

    Do let me know if this works out or not. Thank you for your extended patience.

    Mark [MSFT]

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2011-03-04T19:09:08+00:00

    Mark,

    Could you show me how to get the logs again. 

    It wants me to be administrator but I forgot how.

    Thanks,

    Ron

    How to run as admin:

    Open an elevated command prompt. To do this, click Start, clickAll Programs, click Accessories, right-click Command Prompt, and then click Run as administrator. 

    If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password, or clickAllow.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments