Windows 8.1 installation error 0x80004005

Anonymous
2013-10-17T19:35:19+00:00

I tried to update my Win8 Pro via the Win8 Store and it downloaded, proceeded to Applying Changes > Gathering info > Preparing to restart

and than : error 0x80004005; install cancelled.

No explanation why it did not do the restart. I tried it several times because initially I started everything while continuing work in a desktop application. Than I tried it with a restart w/o desktop. Same result.

So I am stuck with Win8 until there is a solution that does not require a clean install where I have to re-install all my software again. No way...

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Install and upgrade

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-05-02T21:02:44+00:00

    Hello Gabriel.  not sure exactly what your problem is.  If you could supply more detail maybe we can try to help.

    Regards

    Harry

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-05-02T13:30:19+00:00

    Try all this sings but nothing

    Any one have other resolution.

    Cant find what to do.... is so frustrating

    Thanks

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-04-25T17:48:02+00:00

    This is a ridiculous position for HP support to adopt.  The Windows 8.1 upgrade is free from MS because 8.0 was so irritating to use.  I'm running 8.1 on hardware that was made in 2007 and it runs more smoothly than Windows 7.  It should be a walk in the park for a year old computer.  Maybe you need to buy an OEM version of 8.1 ($100 or so) and then we should all avoid HP hardware in future.

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-04-25T16:01:04+00:00

    I have discovered the cause of the problem by looking at the failed install logs and doing some internet research.

    My HP Elite 7500 computer has the Windows 8 key in its UEFI BIOS.

    When Windows 8.1 update is run from the App Store the 0x80004005 error is caused because the Windows 8 Pro key that HP have in the UEFI BIOS doesn't pass the key check test.

    The Windows 8 key in the HP UEFI BIOS is obviously useful when reinstalling Windows 8 Pro from the recovery partition because it is automatically inserted in the installer so you don't have a sticker on the side of the case and don't have to type it in.

    However, not only does the Windows 8 Installer automatically read this key, but so does the Windows 8.1 ISO updater -- it's automatically inserted and fails test.

    So there is no way to update my HP Elite 7500 computer to Windows 8.1 or Windows 8.1 Update 1 because the key is in the UEFI BIOS and cannot be bypassed.

    What's worse is that HP's webpages say they have no plans to support Windows 8.1 on this hardware; so my year old computer will no longer receive updates and support.

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  5. Anonymous
    2014-04-24T11:02:21+00:00

    Those are Painful memories from the distant past and we all have somehow recoved and went on with out lives.

    It was weird to see the following in yesterdays How-To-Geek and I made note of it purely because I am an Info Hoarder.

    BUT...  Possibly it can help you with your problem?

    http://www.howtogeek.com/187525/how-to-perform-a-clean-install-of-windows-8.1-with-a-windows-8-key/

    Have Look!  Who knows?

    Patience is a Virtue!

    Erich

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