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

Anonymous
2013-10-17T13:29:23+00:00

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?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Install and upgrade

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-09-15T12:45:46+00:00

    I'm not a computer or software tech, so can't say for sure what the answer for you would be. Taking off Avast temporarily worked for me. I'm just thinking maybe other virus protection programs could be part of the problem in general. Don't know what program you have, but I would suggest uninstalling - or at lest disabling -  your virus protection program long enough to install 8.1. I activated Windows Defender during this process. Hopefully somebody at Microsoft is monitoring this forum so they can correct this flaw in the next version. It certainly was a MAJOR pain in the rear for me. Good luck.

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-09-15T12:25:15+00:00

    Hello all,

    I have been running 8.1 for about a year when a MS update created havoc for a number of Windows users including myself. Firstly my DVD ceased to function, then gradually parts of the operating system failed, tried all the usual fixes and ended up on a loop between boot-up and repair. Unable to fix the problem I invested in a new hard drive and re-installed Windows 8, followed by update to 8.1. No problems encountered. I have ordered and am now waiting for delivery of a cable to adapt my old drive as a slave and hope, really hope it will allow me to retrieve my data.

    While Windows 8, was working on my machine I was happy, unlike most users I found it to be stable in operation and self repairing when those inevitable gremlins got into the system. Not once in all the time it was installed did it crash, until the duff MS update arrived. The only thing I don't like about Win 8 is the loss of the progress bar.

    Trion.

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-09-15T09:34:58+00:00

    any updates, guys? after almost a year, I'm still stuck here and waiting (no I don't have Avast), do we really need to wait until Windows 9 is out?

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-09-04T23:32:45+00:00

    I actually don't mind the upgrade not working yet. Hey stuff happens.

    But what I cannot fathom is a msg stating "unable to upgrade" without telling us WHY?

    If the upgrade did not work, surely the software knows why. How about telling us why so we can fix it?

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  5. Anonymous
    2014-09-03T23:02:54+00:00

    YES!!!! This did the trick. Thank you so much!!!!

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