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
    2013-10-27T07:03:56+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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  2. 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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  3. Anonymous
    2013-10-28T04:42:23+00:00

    identical issue here with my DELL XPS 15 laptop with SSD. This should not have to be this complicated, it is outrageous Microsoft stays mum and do not help at all resolving this problem plaguing a lot of W8 Pro users like us.

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  4. Anonymous
    2013-10-28T18:01:31+00:00

    @Microsoft - I am still trying to update my Windows 8 to 8.1 and I carried out many things like:

    ~ repeated n+1 times to install the update via the shop as well as via an ISO that I did build

    ~ deleted my anti virus software

    ~ disconnected everything but monitor, mouse and Keyboard

    ~ did reset BIOS

    ~ cleared the store cache with wsreset.exe

    ~ scanned system files with sfc /scannow

    ~ did run a chkdsk /r

    I have invested lot's of my valuable time and it still does stop update after some 87%. I am pretty unhappy about this piece of software that I have payed money for and I am even more unhappy with the type of support you are providing ( which one btw ).

    It would help a lot to receive your official statement on this 0x80004005 error with an outlook if and when this would be cured. Would not mind if your engineers need until year end to fix this, but to have this uncommented is simply NOT professional.

    Thanks, for listening, a very frustrated Microsoft user !

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  5. Anonymous
    2013-10-28T18:28:03+00:00

    I got iso from torrent (thanks to nonsense MS policy) and installed without a key with the help of the ei.cfg file . In the midst of the setup(not beginning) it asks for my poor (because MS does not deem oem key worthy of ISO access)  key.

    After all i entered my free MCE (which i was used on Win8) key then it downloads MCE.

    Now i have Win8.1 pro MCE.

    1. Find proper ISO 
    2. Use RUFUS to make bootable usb installation media from win8.1 ISO file.

    ei.cfg link:

    http://dosya.co/oqh210bn8w1m/ei.cfg.html

    1. Download ei.cfg file into "source" folder on media.

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