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
    2013-10-28T03:56:17+00:00

    Same issue, very frustrating.  On my Dell XPS 15.   I dual boot with Ubuntu.  I reinstalled windows 8, got all updates still same 0x80004005 error.  It shouldn't be this difficult. 

    I'm in the process of doing the drivers, but am not optimistic about this.

    When I tried to set the windows partition as active, the choice was whited out, implying it was the active partition already.  I've reset the strore as well.

    Microsoft has been less than responsive on this issue, with all the threads I've seen offering the same solutions.

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-10-27T07:03:56+00:00

    How i can mark Windows partition as active if i have a GPT disk. I heard that active term is valid for MBR disks only.

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-10-27T00:44:43+00:00

    You don't need to start from scratch, I found the full solution here:

    http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows8_1-windows_install/windows-81-installation-fails-at-installing-app/de6522d2-ee43-49e2-a2e2-6924c9222d27

    So what you need to do is set the Windows partition to active, but this will mess up the boot record so you have to have a Windows 8 DVD or USB handy because when you restart it will give you an error.

    You boot from the DVD/USB and then follow the instructions in that link so it fixes the boot record and then you run the update, which then works without that stupid annoying error. It keeps all the applications and settings too so no need to install from scratch.

    I think this error is common on DIY desktops and people who have added SSD's because of that set Active step.

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  4. Anonymous
    2013-10-26T08:33:57+00:00

    On that cheerful note, and after 3 wasted days, I am going to give up on Windows 8.1.

    A friend has upgraded his laptop and says it is not worth the effort.

    I shall stay with Windows 8 until something much better comes along.

    Good luck to you all.

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  5. Anonymous
    2013-10-25T19:19:00+00:00

    Possibly MS is at the end of it's Capability/level that it can assist us?

    If all at MS were Brains Surgeon standard, one could expect a 100% success Rate (Excluding Obamacare!)

    Here in what is left of 19 years of breaking down what South Africa was, education has been watered down to lowest in the world and a "Pass" is 30%

    If something slightly similar has been happening in the once powerful US of A, I would think achieving a 60% success of it's installed base of Windows 8.0 upgrade to 8.1 is not bad going!

    The Bill Gates' and Steve Jobbs' are gone forever.

    Today's Brilliant is actually Mediocre!

    Count your blessings!

    It is only going to get worse!

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