Can't do any Windows 8 update (error code 800F081F)

Anonymous
2012-10-27T09:23:06+00:00

I just update my Windows 7 laptop to windows 8 pro and found that I couldn't install any update due to this error 800F081F. It seems that MS had a solution, "System Update Readiness Tool", for all other windows version from vista to server 2008; but anyone know any solution for windows 8?

Some attemps I did:

I've tried troubleshooting to fix Windows update automatically but it doesn't help (Funny thing is that when troubleshooting has complete it actually tells me "Potential Windows Update Database error detected 0x800f081f -- fixed");

I've tried a MS tool called "Fix it" but the problem is still there;

I even uninstalled my anti-virus software and use Windows Defender instead; I also tried to restart Windows Update services several times.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Windows update

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Anonymous
2012-11-19T01:36:18+00:00

Just wanted to share with anyone else who was having this issue what it was that I did to resolve it. First off some quick background, this is a brand new HP laptop so was no update over windows 7.

I first had issue updating due to a device issue with an installed HP codec that conflicted with a Windows Codec update, I resolved that and manually updated that single update. Then Windows update failed again. I tried doing the DSIM w/ Restorehealth option as suggested previously in this post, but to no avail.

Some more research led me to the following folder "C:\Windows\servicing\Packages" in this folder I did a quick search for some of the failing updates KB numbers.. (KB2727528 for example) and sure enough found the following...

Package_for_KB2727528~<blahblah>~6.2.1.0 cat and mum files

Package_1_for_KB2727528~<blahblah>~6.2.1.0 cat and mum files

Package_for_KB2727528_RTM~<blahblah>~6.2.1.0 cat and mum files

Using the following command (note that trying to remove the _1_ or _RTM results in a package not found!):

dism /online /NoRestart /remove-package /packagename:Package_for_KB2727528~<blahblah>~6.2.1.0

and recieved a 100% package removed! No way! Installed just that update and booyaah success, restarting it seemed to stall at 15% but then kept going after a few mins and success.

I then wrote out a batch file to execute the above command for any found package namefor anything that had a KB code in the the Windows Update list and viola all were removed. Windows update then completed successfully!

As my wife pointed out.. what do people who don't know computers/software as well as me do, and I told her they probably take them back for a refund, and she replied this is why people use Macs LOL! Probably true. I hope this helps someone else.

After 20+ years you'd think MS would've finally stopped releasing broken Windows software *sigh*

Doc.

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  1. Anonymous
    2012-11-22T04:06:31+00:00

    Doesn't work. I'm still getting the same errors I did before. All I accomplished was wasting another hour on this problem without actually making anything better. At least I can see that I'm not alone in my frustration over this.

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-11-22T03:42:20+00:00

    Oh good catch on the hidden File Extensions... I'm so used to turning it on as the first thing I do on a Windows PC that I forget that having them showing is not the default. At least it's easier in Win8 to turn them on then it used to be ;)

    Doc

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-11-21T23:11:28+00:00

    Doc is the man!  Where can I send you a drumstick?!

    Except one note.  File extensions are hidden by default, so you need to have the .txt showing before you can rename it to .bat.  So, if your file extensions are hidden ...

    Click the View tab in any folder.  Check the File name extensions box.

    Annnnd UPDATE:  Mission accomplished!  Thanks again, Doc!

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  4. Anonymous
    2012-11-21T20:07:05+00:00

    You are welcome!

    I had to write the batch file to make it easier on my non-technical minded family members who were all having the same problems so it really made sense to share it. Hopefully it'll help those who are having issues, for this and future updates until MS patches the obvious problem with the updater in Windows 8.

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