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 can confirm that the in-place repair resolved problems that even Microsoft Level 2 could not fix. It takes a while and a few reboots before everything works properly. In my case, I did not allow Windows Update to 'run free' but manually installed the pre-req to KB2919355 and then KB2919355 (standalone versions). Only then did I start Windows Update. I cannot say that this made a difference but it seemed safer than potentially damaging the software software stack again. The challenge for Win 8 clients is getting Win 8.1 install media - the Windows 8 product key will not work on the download site and is also not accepted when you do the in-place repair. Microsoft has shipped some clients Win 8.1 install media with a valid key but you may need to be very firm when you escalate (have blood pressure medication on hand). If doing multiple PCs, there are instructions on the Internet about changing a Win 8.1 product key back to the original Win 8 product key before registering the system (along with how to find out what the Win 8 product key is). I only had to fix one PC so I have not tested these procedures.

What I said earlier. Try sfc and/or the dism. If that doesn't work and you have access to media (see other posts on this topic) you can do an inplace repair install as well that won't demand you reinstalling everything. Since the introduction of component based servicing these platforms can and do get corrupted via a. malware b. antivirus that doesn't play by the rules c. third party installers that don't play by the rules d. hard drive issues e. who knows what else If you've already gone through your support options, we have no other recourse here. I would recommend doing an inplace upgrade that keeps all of the settings as they are and you do not reinstall from clean. So please consider that as well.

My problem is I have no error code. I just get the message that the install can't complete. The only response I get from Microsoft is that I should do a clean install. This is unacceptable! Microsoft screwed up and I want a patch to fix all of this. I'm not the only one. There are numerous articles out there focused on this screw up. Fix this guys. Your mistake we shouldn't have to scour the internet to troubleshoot your mess.

Click on your profile. Find the this thread in your list of subscribed to threads. click on stop emails. There are other options before reinstalling. The tools of sfc /scannow or DISM can be used to see if the image can be repaired. Great! Thanks, I appreciate it. Nope, sfc & DISM don't work. I was on the phone for 2 days with MSFT tech for just 1 computer. I'm not going to waste my time to do the other computers. Thanks again.

Click on your profile. Find the this thread in your list of subscribed to threads. click on stop emails. There are other options before reinstalling. The tools of sfc /scannow or DISM can be used to see if the image can be repaired.

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

2014-09-05T21:17:38+00:00

I can confirm that the in-place repair resolved problems that even Microsoft Level 2 could not fix. It takes a while and a few reboots before everything works properly. In my case, I did not allow Windows Update to 'run free' but manually installed the pre-req to KB2919355 and then KB2919355 (standalone versions). Only then did I start Windows Update. I cannot say that this made a difference but it seemed safer than potentially damaging the software software stack again.

The challenge for Win 8 clients is getting Win 8.1 install media - the Windows 8 product key will not work on the download site and is also not accepted when you do the in-place repair. Microsoft has shipped some clients Win 8.1 install media with a valid key but you may need to be very firm when you escalate (have blood pressure medication on hand).

If doing multiple PCs, there are instructions on the Internet about changing a Win 8.1 product key back to the original Win 8 product key before registering the system (along with how to find out what the Win 8 product key is). I only had to fix one PC so I have not tested these procedures.
Was this answer helpful?

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Anonymous

2014-09-05T16:48:25+00:00

What I said earlier. Try sfc and/or the dism. If that doesn't work and you have access to media (see other posts on this topic) you can do an inplace repair install as well that won't demand you reinstalling everything.

Since the introduction of component based servicing these platforms can and do get corrupted via

a. malware

b. antivirus that doesn't play by the rules

c. third party installers that don't play by the rules

d. hard drive issues

e. who knows what else

If you've already gone through your support options, we have no other recourse here.

I would recommend doing an inplace upgrade that keeps all of the settings as they are and you do not reinstall from clean. So please consider that as well.
Was this answer helpful?

0 comments No comments
Anonymous

2014-09-05T16:36:01+00:00

My problem is I have no error code. I just get the message that the install can't complete. The only response I get from Microsoft is that I should do a clean install. This is unacceptable! Microsoft screwed up and I want a patch to fix all of this. I'm not the only one. There are numerous articles out there focused on this screw up. Fix this guys. Your mistake we shouldn't have to scour the internet to troubleshoot your mess.
Was this answer helpful?

0 comments No comments
Anonymous

2014-09-05T16:13:54+00:00

Click on your profile. Find the this thread in your list of subscribed to threads. click on stop emails.

There are other options before reinstalling. The tools of sfc /scannow or DISM can be used to see if the image can be repaired.

Great! Thanks, I appreciate it. Nope, sfc & DISM don't work. I was on the phone for 2 days with MSFT tech for just 1 computer. I'm not going to waste my time to do the other computers. Thanks again.
Was this answer helpful?

0 comments No comments
Anonymous

2014-09-05T15:53:07+00:00

Click on your profile. Find the this thread in your list of subscribed to threads. click on stop emails.

There are other options before reinstalling. The tools of sfc /scannow or DISM can be used to see if the image can be repaired.
Was this answer helpful?

0 comments No comments