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

In the last try, I removed all graphic card drivers (intel and nvidia) and the related software,  before reboot, I start upgrade windows 8.1, as soon as the system finished downloading from windows store and in the 'gather info' stage, I quickly removed the entire software and driver for network ( I can't do this before upgrade cuz I need it to connect to windows store), and the rest of upgrade went through without any issue.

With much credit to homerli's comments, I was able to get 8.1 installed on my machine last night.  I followed the steps he described but with a slight modification, likely due to specifics of my computer.

First, I uninstalled my graphics drivers.  I have an AMD and Intel card for switchable graphics, but only the Intel card has been functioning.  I disabled the Intel card and rebooted, into the generic Microsoft display drivers.  The resolution was poor, but sufficient for what I was trying to do.

Next, I started the 8.1 Pro install.  From previous tries, I didn't have to wait for the download again and it went straight into installation.  From homerli's experience he removed his network drivers at the "Gathering Info" stage, but on my machine, doing that paused the install since it cuts off my internet connection.  So I waited until it was ready to restart before uninstalling network drivers. 

Upon reboot, it got through the initial setup stage, and the second reboot at Getting Devices Ready was usually the end of my install in the past.  This time, it went all the way through, and a few minutes later I had a working install of 8.1 Pro.  My Intel graphics driver was still the only one active, and my AMD driver was replaced in Device Manager with a Microsoft Display Driver which was inactive, but no matter.  Only hiccup left was my network card, which I had seen from other commenters in this thread was an issue.  I went to HP to download the drivers they provided for my card, to no avail.  I had to go to Intel's site to get the latest 8.1 drivers for my card, which upon installing, connected me to the Web.  SUCCESS!

I'll echo other's comments by saying this is a painstakingly ridiculous trial and error process when it shouldn't be.  Microsoft providing a compatibility tool prior to install would probably alleviate many of these problems.  The "Checking compatibility" step in the install clearly isn't checking for the things that caused mine or other problems.  In the end, I still don't know if it was the network or graphics drivers which was the problem, but uninstalling both, at the right time, seemed to do the trick.  Additionally, I don't know what to expect from Microsoft as far as a fix for this.  I might be of a minority opinion here, but perhaps the blame should be on OEMs and driver manufacturers for not pushing updates to drivers through Windows Update in time for the 8.1 launch.  If the install worked on my two other desktops without an issue, and then worked on mine after disabling drivers, clearly the problem isn't in the 8.1 code, but in the hardware drivers.  But again, my opinion is my own.  I still think it's ridiculous I had to spend the better part of a week, not to mention nuking my Windows install, to get this far. 

Best of luck to the rest of you still trying.

I have quite similiar issue but a little different.

I tried to upgrade my father's laptop which was originally intended for Windows 7. The laptop is old - it is Asus K72JK-TY001V. Yes, I know, Microsoft and Asus will tell me the eight is not for this device and go away. Well, from my short experience Windows 8 works flawless anyway.

When I tried to upgrade to 8.1 - I admit, I didn't install all drivers and not even one update from Windows Updates - I'll try that today. Coming back to the topic - installation goes veeery smoothly until last part -> "Preparing PC" (it may say something else, I have polish language pack). It's after devices and all. I get no bluescreen, it just freezes after a minute and that's it. After restart it goes back to previous Windows Version and shows me same error screen as everybody's here. I don't get blue screen though.

If Windows Update and drivers won't help, I might as well buy Macbook next time, seeing how even 2007 devices get newest OS (it's like Vista for us) and for free.

Just today tried to upgrade from Win 8 to 8.1 and encountered the same error everyone else is. Looks as though nobody has it figured out though. The above "Announcement" seems only relevant to Windows RT devices. Where's the workable update for the desk/laptop users? It HAS been a few days...

FINALLY, I got 8.1 to install! The only thing different was I checked today and there was a Windows Update marked "important" and just 2 days ago. I was upgrading a Windows 8 Pro 64bit OS to 8.1 Pro 64 bit and had ALL updates posted until today. Even though it's dated as 2 days ago, I think it was post very recently.

I double checked my BIOS, graphics card drivers, etc. and all were up to date from the manufactures web sites. After installing this new update, I decided to try to install 8.1 again from the MS Store. Everything went as before, but this time it got to the "Setting Up" stage and kept going with no problems at all. All I had to do was log back into my MS account with the same info I used in 8.0 and everything was there. The settings, programs, etc. were ALL just fine and I now had a fully working 8.1 version.

It's unknown what this update may have done, but I know it was NOT there a few days ago. For those going through a lot of trouble, I can relate, but it's almost never all the stuff they are saying like uninstalling anti-virus, unplugging devices, etc. Everything on my PC remained exactly the same, I did NOT remove a single program or driver and kept all USB and other devices plugged in. It just simply worked this time with no problem and must had to do with that one new update.

Good luck to others, I'm sure you will get it going to, just a matter of time for updates to drivers and MS patches like the one I tried. Hope things go well.