"Couldn't update to Windows 8.1 - 0xC1900101 - 0x40017"

Quote: "...then your only choice is a fresh install from a cd or usb and deletion of ALL partitions and then installing to the un-partitioned space."

With all due respect, that is unacceptable. Windows 8.1 cannot upgrade from 8.0 and one has to use the scorched earth process to fix it? And MS, with it's gazillions of endless resources, is incapable of simply listing the problem so it can be resolved?

Instead, it says upgrade failed. Since it failed for some reason, then why can't MS show the reason?

As unacceptable as it seems, it may still be the only choice. Take your Ford to the Ford dealer, ask them to upgrade the 6 cylinder engine to a V8.  If it turns out that the Ford, had been rebuilt with a Chevy transmission, and the upgrade won't work or can't be done. The mechanics, not trained on Chevrolet transmissions don't have enough knowledge of Chevy mechanics to even begin to explain why it can't be done or does not work.

Before you think that analogy is off base, let me explain. I saw one computer with 8.0 on it where there was a brand new Toshiba 3TB HD. The Toshiba drive came formatted with a "Basic" NTFS partition table. The limit on a Basic partition is 2.1TB. To get 3TB, one must use a GPT volume. The drive used a basic volume but modified the volume to make it use the entire drive in a way that might be usable by Unix and some versions of Linux, but is not compatible with any version of windows, (or for that matter, most versions of Linux. While that trick may make the buyer think they are getting more GB per dollar, and may even work for the average user who will never fill up the drive, the end result is that when you do an upgrade, you are building a new house on a crumbling foundation. Often, third party partition programs can do things that the MS equivalent (Computer Management - Disk Management) won't do because MS obeys all the rules set down by the FAT and NTFS standards used by all previous versions of Windows. BTW, the upgrade failed on that drive with the same message you got. I removed the partitions and converted the disk to GPT. Then installed 8.0 and the upgrade to 8.1 went off without a hitch.

If you have incompatible partitions, an incompatible BIOS , other third party programs, (like some anti virus programs), incompatible , hardware, drivers, or have done something outside the rules set forth for the OS, (like moving some system folders like /USERS to another drive via a registry hack, you can not expect MS to be able to display an error message for every conceivable stupid thing users and vendors could possibly do.

If you are unable to fix the partition or other problem and get the laptop back in compliance, then you can try a clean install of 8.0. (And by CLEAN install, I mean that during the install you delete all partition/volumes using the install disk, and install to the un-partitioned space.)

Hi everybody, 

At the end I solved my problem by contacting the official Microsoft chat assistance. They solved the problem by taking the control of my pc through a remote control software they made me download. So what I suggest you is to call the online assistance, it's the fastest and easiest way. Of course I agree with you that this problem should have been solved long time ago

Quote: "...then your only choice is a fresh install from a cd or usb and deletion of ALL partitions and then installing to the un-partitioned space."

With all due respect, that is unacceptable. Windows 8.1 cannot upgrade from 8.0 and one has to use the scorched earth process to fix it? And MS, with it's gazillions of endless resources, is incapable of simply listing the problem so it can be resolved?

Instead, it says upgrade failed. Since it failed for some reason, then why can't MS show the reason?

I have downloaded the Windows 8.1 update from the store but cannot get it to install. Each time I try, I get to the point where it is "getting my devices ready", then the PC restarts to a blue screen with error message. It then tries to recover the installation, fails, then restores Windows 8. When the system boots up after this, I get a message saying:

"Couldn't update to Windows 8.1

Sorry, we couldn't complete the update to Windows 8.1. We've restored your previous version of Windows to this PC.

0xC1900101 - 0x40017"

There is n o explanation as to why the update could be completed. Any ideas how to resolve this?

Well its DECEMBER 2014 and this still happens.... Is there ever going to be a fix for this issue?!?!?!?!

I have a laptop (no external devices attached) so only have the touchpad, touchscreen and keyboard for input. All my drivers are up-to-date, I've manually checked.....

I have downloaded the Windows 8.1 update from the store nearly every month for 18  months.  And I still cannot get it to install. Everytime I try, I get to the point where it is "getting my devices ready", then the PC restarts to a BSOD. It then tries to recover the installation, fails, then restores Windows 8. When the system boots up after this, I get a message saying:

"Couldn't update to Windows 8.1

Sorry, we couldn't complete the update to Windows 8.1. We've restored your previous version of Windows to this PC.

0xC1900101 - 0x40017"

Did you remove the shovel-ware that came on the laptop from the vender? In particular, any antivirus software, Almost all of the antivirus **** will prevent the update. I'd remove all the **** they added on using Add and remove programs.

 Did you use any third party partitioning programs on this computer, Nearly all of them can screw up the partitioning, While they may create or modify partitions that will work with normal day to day operation, they often don't comply 100% with the specs for MS. If that is the case, then the upgrade may fail. If that is the case, and you can't fix it using the Manage Disk feature under Computer Properties, then your only choice is a fresh install from a cd or usb and deletion of ALL partitions and then installing to the un-partitioned space. In my experience, This almost always results in fixing the upgrade to 8.1 problem.

The two items above are the most common reasons for your problem, (in my experience). The one exception was an Acer tablet, Prior to the upgrade to 8.1 showing up in the store, there was a update from Acer that re-flashed the Bios. It that was not done. the upgrade to 8.1 would fail. One weird possibility that a friend had, involved the date/time not being set. I have not seen that  one personally.

The deal is, (In my opinion) you will not see a solution from Microsoft, because the problem is not caused by windows 8. The upgrade has worked dozens of time for me personally, and millions of times for other users. That eliminates the windows 8 as the cause, leaving it as an issue with the laptop BIOS, partitioning, firmware or hardware.

If I were you, and this laptop came with 8.0 from the factory, I'd be on the laptop manufacturer's case like butter on toast till they fixed or replaced it.

I have downloaded the Windows 8.1 update from the store but cannot get it to install. Each time I try, I get to the point where it is "getting my devices ready", then the PC restarts to a blue screen with error message. It then tries to recover the installation, fails, then restores Windows 8. When the system boots up after this, I get a message saying:

"Couldn't update to Windows 8.1

Sorry, we couldn't complete the update to Windows 8.1. We've restored your previous version of Windows to this PC.

0xC1900101 - 0x40017"

There is n o explanation as to why the update could be completed. Any ideas how to resolve this?

Well its DECEMBER 2014 and this still happens.... Is there ever going to be a fix for this issue?!?!?!?!

I have a laptop (no external devices attached) so only have the touchpad, touchscreen and keyboard for input. All my drivers are up-to-date, I've manually checked.....

I have downloaded the Windows 8.1 update from the store nearly every month for 18  months.  And I still cannot get it to install. Everytime I try, I get to the point where it is "getting my devices ready", then the PC restarts to a BSOD. It then tries to recover the installation, fails, then restores Windows 8. When the system boots up after this, I get a message saying:

"Couldn't update to Windows 8.1

Sorry, we couldn't complete the update to Windows 8.1. We've restored your previous version of Windows to this PC.

0xC1900101 - 0x40017"