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
    2012-12-27T14:20:17+00:00

    Hi

    I have the same problem so I use the immersive windows update. It works there

    Go with the mouse in any right corner Settings>Change PC Settings>Windows Upate

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-01-11T10:51:31+00:00

    Thanks silfiriel !

    The immersive Windows Update was the only solution that worked for me...

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-01-28T19:28:48+00:00

    I also have the same problem and I can't Install the new windows updates and I get the same error code (800F081F)

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  4. Anonymous
    2013-02-16T23:19:10+00:00

    I didn't have to go to the command prompt or mess with batch files at all ... here is everything I did to fix this, in order:

    1. Opened msconfig and disabled all non-microsoft services, reboot
    2. Opened the troubleshooter and had it "fix problems with windows update"
    3. Check for updates again. If you get an error, try it again. This will take awhile.
    4. Note the KB number of the update you are having trouble with. For example, "KB274523"
    5. Open the C:\Windows\servicing\Packages directory. Search in that directory for the KB number.  For example search for "KB274523".
    6. Delete *all* files that come up in the search.  Just highlight one of the search results and then ctrl-a, delete.
    7. Go back to Windows Update and try to install just that one package, in this case try to install *only* KB274523 and nothing else.
    8. Success? Repeat for all packages that won't install.

    This exact procedure worked for me.  You may not even have to do steps 1 and 2, I don't know if those steps even mattered but this is how I did it.

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