Windows 8.1 installation error 0x80004005

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.

I believe that this is also my problem with my Sony VAIO. It uses UEFI and I upgraded to windows Pro with Media Center right after I got it. Now the 8.1 Update is trying to match the product key in the UEFI BIOS and it fails because I don't have the original operating system installed any longer. Sony refuses to recognize that this is a problem. Very frustrating!!!

Frank

Hello,

       The first two items that are listed above executed but the third, regsvr32 Initpki.dll, is not on my Windows 8 system anywhere.  I scanned the entire drive, including file variables and nothing.  I ran the DISM /ScanHealth, /CheckHealth, and /RestoreHealth Windows 8 repair tool, it found no errors. 

       Rebooted with just the two and Windows 8.1 still will not upgrade.

Doug

Hi,

To fix this, launch a command prompt window with administrator privileges and run the following commands, one by one:

regsvr32 Softpub.dll

regsvr32 Wintrust.dll

regsvr32 Initpki.dll

Reboot your computer and try to install Windows 8.1 once again.

I tried many times and many things - then at the end of April -the system got the update - by itself - and updated. I had not tried anything more to fix it - it just installed and worked. - No clue what Microsoft Changed - but it seemed to co-incide with the Internet Explorer fix rollout.

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

Regards

Harry

Hi Harry

I already solve the problem.

Just used my revory tool intall in my laptop and re-intall the windows 8 again. Then the upload to win 8.1 works fine.

Thanks.

Gabriel