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
    2012-11-03T13:35:33+00:00

    I was having this problem for days on a Lenovo desktop that was upgraded to 8 pro from 7 Home Premium and none of the proposed solutions were helping. I finally found updated drivers for my sound and video devices, updated them, and restarted once. I then ran Windows update and it went through without a problem.

    Here is the link that led me to this solution:

    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2777330

    I

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-11-03T10:10:04+00:00

    I have the same problem with updates and Media centre. Microsft tech support 8 hr no help. I do not have a disc, just the windows 8 update assistant and a product key, now the web site that I downloaded it from says the down load is not available in my country Australia?? How do I get a copy of the Windows 8 pro file???

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  4. Anonymous
    2012-11-02T20:36:55+00:00

    Hello,

    If your running into issues with trying to install Windows Updates on Windows 8, try the steps below:

    1.     Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and then tap Search. (If you're using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, and then click Search.)

    2.     Type command prompt in the search box.

    3.     In the list of results, swipe down on or right-click Command Prompt, and then tap or click Run as administrator.

    4.     In the Administrator: Command Prompt window, type the following commands exactly as they appear. Press the Enter key after each command:

    o    DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Scanhealth

    o    DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth

    5.     To close the Administrator: Command prompt window, type Exit, and then press Enter.

    6.     Run Windows Update again.

    Below is a link to the article for the information below, this article also includes steps to be completed on machines running operating systems older than Windows 8.

    System Update Readiness Tool fixes Windows Update errors in Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008 R2, and Windows Server 2008

    Let us know how this works for you.

    Thanks!

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