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
    2012-12-16T17:59:35+00:00

    Sadly, the Troubleshooter has proven utterly useless with anything I've run into so far. That's why I'm here.  :)

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-12-16T17:39:13+00:00

    Have you tried using the built-in trouble-shooter?  If you go to the Control Panel, under System and Security there will be a link that says Find and Fix Problems.  Go to that and under System and Security select Fix Problems with Windows Update.  Run that, wait a few minutes, and try to install your updates.

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-12-16T17:09:35+00:00

    Thanks so much for taking the time to post this, Michael O. When I run the .exe's I get "the directory or file is corrupted and cannot be read - error 1392".

    Could you help me with the next step please? I've had my new Win8 box for 3wks and this has been an ongoing headache nearly since the get-go.  :/

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  4. Anonymous
    2012-12-15T20:28:07+00:00

    I just updated one at a time without the batch file

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