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
    2012-11-15T12:38:07+00:00

    I have this same problem.

    I also upgraded from Win 7 x64 to Win8Pro.

    No Win Updates and no Mediacenter Update either.

    Ran DISM.exe but it doesn't work... didn't change anything.

    I also tried manually downloading the updates and running them from my desktop, but they also failed there.

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-11-15T02:42:51+00:00

    This **** is driving me crazy too. I am sure it's Lenovo bloatware, seems most people have the issue are using Lenovo or other major OEM laptops. I had the problem not being able to upgrade Windows 8 with Pro Pack, my god that made me angry till I found the solution mentioned with msconfig. So I got that sorted but the Windows updates (4 of them) still can't be installed. Maybe I will just leave it until Microsoft fix it. I am not spening hours and hours troubleshooting something like this probably fix itself in a few weeks. I darn well hope.

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-11-15T00:06:38+00:00

    Lucky you ;)

    I have no 13 not installable Updates.... But behavior changed a bit.. Not it seems all would be installed and on reboot it onyl installs 15%.... fails...retries...reboots.... again 15%, retry and revert all changes... Thats it....

    No install.

    Chris

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  4. Anonymous
    2012-11-14T23:06:54+00:00

    Today the system had approx. 8 new updates to apply for windows 8.  Would you believe the 8 new updates when smoothly  but the original 3 KB2770041, KB 2756872 and KB2756872 failed.

    MS what gives.

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