This error may appear anytime a Windows Update fails. To investigate possible solutions, we need to start with the specific error code. We can do this by viewing your update history. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen (or, if you're using a mouse, pointing to the lower-right corner of the screen and moving the mouse pointer up), and tap or click Settings . Tap or click Change PC settings , and then Update and recovery . Tap or click View your update history . View failed update error code. Please post here with your error code, so that the Community can try to help guide you appropriately.

I think reinstalling Windows 8.1 or whichever platform you are using is probably the best solution, but don't ask me how to do that. My new Windows 10 update went very well and old update problems seems to be gone.

For my Win 8.1 I am getting this error - there is no error code and when I go to update history the entire history of updates is wiped clean. I'm up for suggestions, that's for sure. I can install any/all other updates each month but this one fails, every time. It appears to install fine - reboots - gets to I think 98% then the above error and 30 minutes later it does one, final reboot and I'm back up/running.

I was able to get a Microsoft technical ace on the phone, who took over my laptop remotely and reinstalled Windows 8.1. It has worked beautifully since. It is hard to get through to the right people and they try to divert you -- but with persistence, it can be done. I started with live chat and convinced them to give me a phone number. Good luck!

This update saga is getting very trying ... Have tried a number of resolve to no effect. Initially if I allow the system to automatically update, it downloads, reboots, then I have a message that states that it was unable to complete update and that it removes all changes that it has made. In update history it gives an error of 80070002. If I try to manually update, same as above with a different error code 0x80240009. I have tried a number of ways to get this to work and have read through different forums, but am getting no closer to a resolve. Any ideas :D

Windows 8.1 will not install updates. Has consistently refused. There is no error code. Have run troubleshooter many times and tried almost daily for 4 months since buying new computer with 8.1 installed. When restarted says installing updates gets to 8% then quits says restarting then comes back and says unable to install updates undoing changes. The system will not let me try to install one update at a time by unclicking all but one and trying to just manually install 1 at a time it tries to do all available updates. Cannot get support from the seller of computer the "geeks". Have read and tried everything on the web about this same message and problem. When these updates don't work it invariably screws up my printer and other apps/programs that I have to reinstall or fix using compatibility settings. What’s the problem! How is this fixed this is frustrating! Nothing posted by Microsoft is of any help and there does not seem to be any solution. These are supposed to be IMPORTANT security updates so I feel vulnerable. Things don’t work! Why is Microsoft not fixing the problem. Please help this is time consuming. What was wrong with Windows 7 never had a problem with it or Vista just this one. I spend the majority of my time with this computer trying to troubleshoot Microsoft op system errors than I do actually using it for what I need it for. Thanks please responds with a FIX. Is the release of Windows 10 just going to give me additional problems I don't need when is it going to happen. 8.1 is not a good op system nothing seems to work not even sure what the advantage is. If you buy a new computer you are forced to accept this miserable op system which is completely full of problems. Thanks Victor

Error: We couldn’t complete the updates, Undoing changes. Don’t turn off your computer.

Anonymous

This error may appear anytime a Windows Update fails. To investigate possible solutions, we need to start with the specific error code.

We can do this by viewing your update history.

Swipe in from the right edge of the screen (or, if you're using a mouse, pointing to the lower-right corner of the screen and moving the mouse pointer up), and tap or click Settings.
Tap or click Change PC settings, and then Update and recovery.
Tap or click View your update history.

View failed update error code.

Please post here with your error code, so that the Community can try to help guide you appropriately.

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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998 answers

Anonymous

2015-08-03T18:00:50+00:00

I think reinstalling Windows 8.1 or whichever platform you are using is probably the best solution, but don't ask me how to do that. My new Windows 10 update went very well and old update problems seems to be gone.
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Anonymous

2015-08-01T03:30:17+00:00

For my Win 8.1 I am getting this error - there is no error code and when I go to update history the entire history of updates is wiped clean. I'm up for suggestions, that's for sure. I can install any/all other updates each month but this one fails, every time. It appears to install fine - reboots - gets to I think 98% then the above error and 30 minutes later it does one, final reboot and I'm back up/running.
Was this answer helpful?

0 comments No comments
Anonymous

2015-07-31T13:52:04+00:00

I was able to get a Microsoft technical ace on the phone, who took over my laptop remotely and reinstalled Windows 8.1. It has worked beautifully since. It is hard to get through to the right people and they try to divert you -- but with persistence, it can be done. I started with live chat and convinced them to give me a phone number. Good luck!
Was this answer helpful?

0 comments No comments
Anonymous

2015-07-31T13:25:28+00:00

This update saga is getting very trying ... Have tried a number of resolve to no effect.

Initially if I allow the system to automatically update, it downloads, reboots, then I have a message that states that it was unable to complete update and that it removes all changes that it has made. In update history it gives an error of 80070002.

If I try to manually update, same as above with a different error code 0x80240009.

I have tried a number of ways to get this to work and have read through different forums, but am getting no closer to a resolve.

Any ideas :D
Was this answer helpful?

0 comments No comments
Anonymous

2015-07-31T11:19:26+00:00

Windows 8.1 will not install updates. Has consistently refused. There is no error code. Have run troubleshooter many times and tried almost daily for 4 months since buying new computer with 8.1 installed. When restarted says installing updates gets to 8% then quits says restarting then comes back and says unable to install updates undoing changes. The system will not let me try to install one update at a time by unclicking all but one and trying to just manually install 1 at a time it tries to do all available updates. Cannot get support from the seller of computer the "geeks". Have read and tried everything on the web about this same message and problem. When these updates don't work it invariably screws up my printer and other apps/programs that I have to reinstall or fix using compatibility settings. What’s the problem! How is this fixed this is frustrating! Nothing posted by Microsoft is of any help and there does not seem to be any solution. These are supposed to be IMPORTANT security updates so I feel vulnerable. Things don’t work! Why is Microsoft not fixing the problem. Please help this is time consuming. What was wrong with Windows 7 never had a problem with it or Vista just this one. I spend the majority of my time with this computer trying to troubleshoot Microsoft op system errors than I do actually using it for what I need it for. Thanks please responds with a FIX. Is the release of Windows 10 just going to give me additional problems I don't need when is it going to happen. 8.1 is not a good op system nothing seems to work not even sure what the advantage is. If you buy a new computer you are forced to accept this miserable op system which is completely full of problems. Thanks Victor
Was this answer helpful?

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