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.

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

I recently (2 weeks ago) bought a new laptop. It was the display model and so had all the latest updates, including updates to windows 8.1. Part of the policy of buying a display model is that the hard drive gets completely wiped.

I got the refurbished laptop (which was now running only windows 8) and updated it including eventually downloading and installing 8.1. All this happened fine andI was successfully running 8.1.

Then I had some problems - After a week, the store refused to work. I tried many things including resetting cache and even refreshing the device. The only thing left to do was to perform a complete refurbishment.

I did this and when I got round to downloading windows 8.1 again it only comes up with 0x80004005.

The point I'm trying to add is that a device that used to run 8.1 now can't.

The store is working fine (for now).

Me too!!!!!!!!!!!    worked on 10yr old computer, not on a 2yr old laptop.

I tried all three methods, plus Clean Boot, plus various other things from other threads on the internet (e.g. delete download and download it again); there is nothing plugged in, latest drivers, no third-party software installed, utterly clean install.

Nothing.

No matter what I do, my Window 8 update to Windows 8.1 installation has error 0x80004005

I even tried reformatting and reinstalling Windows 8 -- which is from the hard drive partition on my HP desktop -- and that doesn't help, still has error 0x80004005