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

My installation crashed every time I tried. So I tried doing a Refresh which also crashed, did one restore that crashed, and it also deleted my OS.. Made a bootable USB tried installing from it maybe 10times got stuck at the boot logo every time then it crashed. Tried one last time and it worked somehow.

Now I have Windows 8.1 PRO installed, but the installation must be corrupted since, it crashes often, Refresh still don't work. Windows says everything I download is corrupted, so I cant download and install Radeon drivers, cant even download and install Chrome. Also have a windows update that fail 249mb. Internet explorer in desktop mode instant crash at launch, modern works.

Really need help with this...

Success! But most of You won't like solution. I tried all proposed methods here and at the end decided to do clean install. Also I switched from MBR to EFI boot. I had my windows instaled long time (update from win 7) and noticed that some things just don't work (for example File History, Windows explorer hanging) so I decided to clean install. I had only Office 2013 and Autocad 2014 installed when I tried update to Windows 8.1. NO drivers installed exept windows default drivers.

Further problems found after computer message re installing your previous version of Windoze. (sic).

All is not returned as before-I had issues with IE 10, which would not work on the Charm screen and had to 'repair'.  The software for my remote camera failed, re-install.  Was unable to sync with my Archos tablet, re-install and who knows what else. Oh yes one other thing I did not use profanity in my earlier comment but instead used a bit of Olde English grammar referring to a male chicken+up. How on earth Microsoft can obliterate such a simple expression is unbelievable when one considers the variety and amount of expletives that are freely used on American TV.

Many, many thanks to all those who responded to my earlier post.

triron. MOG.

I spent about six days on the phone with tech support and it got all the way up to level three without success.  Over twenty attempts in total.  At the end of the day the problem was solved with the "Nuke & Pave" approach.  

Fortunately I had backups but the act of re installing programs and apps is a pain and should not be necessary for an upgrade let alone an update to a point release.  Here's hoping Windows 9 is less problematic...

I have been following this thread for the past couple of weeks, and it seems like few people were able to resolve their problems.

I am running a custom build with NVIDIA graphics; I did what Microsoft said, but when the update failed yet again I decided to contact their support center instead of going program by program. Apparently I had corrupted files, and they used a tool to repair my Windows 8 install as well as deleted from Windows Store my original download of Windows 8.1. The customer service representative took me through the update process with no problem. It was a long experience, but it was worthwhile because I am now at Windows 8.1 on my home PC, with no problems as of yet. Believe it or not, it was AAA service. If you're still having problems, I suggest chatting with one their service representatives like I did or shooting them over an email with your PC information.