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
    2012-11-09T06:03:12+00:00

    Same issue here.  However, only my HP laptop is unable to install updates or Media Center after installing Win 8 Pro.  My desktop (also upgraded to Win 8 Pro) works perfectly normal.  Both computers are HP, less than 6 months old, were running Win 7 Pro and have virtually identical software installed.  Both were upgraded to Win 8 Pro at the same time. Can't figure out why this issue only affected the laptop, not the desktop.  I've tried every fix I could find on the internet, including make sure all drivers were updated to the latest version (this was apparently identified as the cause of this issue according to some Microsoft Knowledge Base article I found).  Nothing has worked.  I hope Microsoft issues a fix for this before the time expires on the free Media Center upgrade or I will be pissed...

    I hope you are listening Microsoft!

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-11-10T16:19:57+00:00

    That didn't work either. I have update, deleted, re-installed drivers, firmware, bios update, nothing works. Two sessions with tech support one with level 2 and all he did was make things worse. It took me only about five minutes to figure out I new more than he did. When he finished, I had peripherals not working due to missing drivers. I am about ready to revert back to 7 and demand a refund. If I have to re-format to get 8 to work, then screw it. I'll just use 7.

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-11-11T00:52:22+00:00

    Having spent all this time with no help or solutions, seeing that I'm unable to add apps to the Metro screen due to similar errors, and seeing the monstrosity that my registry has become, I realize how uncomfortable I am with this wreck of an operating system. Every time I double-click something, I expect a problem.  That's unacceptable. 

    I'm now backing up all my files so that I can restore my Lenovo to factory conditions and Windows 7.  It's a shame, a brand new computer, previously running quite smoothly, which I've come to regard with contempt because of this complete failure... 

    It will be many years before I buy a new one, but when the time comes, I'm unhappily certain that- after 20 years of PC patronage- my next computer will be a Mac.

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  4. Anonymous
    2012-11-11T08:49:48+00:00

    Me Too!!!

    I got the Same Problem after Updating from Win7Ultimate x64 to Win8Pro.

    No Win Updates and no Mediacenter Update possible with the Serial Number Provided.

    Ran DISM.exe as suggested, no changes, update still fails with error 800F081F!

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