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

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
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.

Was this answer helpful?

7 people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

102 additional answers

Sort by: Oldest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2012-11-22T17:15:29+00:00

    Note that you got a File Not Found error, that means that the package was never actually installed fully or partially onto your PC. I suspect you may be having a deeper problem that may require some more work on your part. 

    If you haven't already try the steps located here http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2777330. One thing that i found in those steps is that it simply states remove Video and Sound drivers but doesn't say where to remove them from. In one situation that I had with a friends computer I actually had to remove all devices found in the Sound, video and Game Controllers.

    Just go into your Device Manager expand the item named "Sound, video and Game Controllers", select each item, right click and select Uninstall. Ensure the box to remove the files is left UNCHECKED. Once they have all been removed try to install just KB2756872, and then reboot. If and hopefully it you encounter success, windows will detect and reinstall the devices you uninstalled at which point you can try other updates.

    Doc

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2012-11-22T17:27:01+00:00

    Nice work, I agree that there are multiple solutions as every system has different hardware and software drivers. 

    I've been doing some more work on this by refreshing my Win8 in order to determine the root cause of the issue and I'm starting to think that the initial problem (at least on my system) is caused by the failure of KB2756872 to install. The other updates appear to download and unpack properly as near as I can tell, but once there is a failure in KB2756872 the cleanup is not done and for some reason DISM cleanup and restorehealth options don't correct it, hence having to use removepackage. 

    It's a very frustrating situation but with continued perseverance by the community we will make it easier on others who follow to correct the problem until MS fixes the update (if they ever do!).

    Doc

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2012-11-24T09:24:33+00:00

    Thank you, it worked. I was able to install the updates, and add Windows Media Center. Still having another issue with Win8, but have posted that on a different thread.

    Again, thank you for this solution.

    *S*

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2012-11-27T01:40:08+00:00

    I've noticed that all of the failed updates which this method from DocSlax fixes (thank you btw!) have "amd64" in the filename while my machine is an Intel machine I built. Maybe the reason it fails is related to this?

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments