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'm not an official on this, but this has happened to me twice before. The first time, I was able to access my computer by refreshing it from the menu that pops up after the first two failed bootups. While I was relieved to use my computer again, I also discovered that the refresh had deleted such desktop programs as Firefox, and with it, all of my bookmarks and history. I was forced to restore all of them manually. The second time this problem came up, I was in despair at losing everything again, but I looked at all of the options and finally chose to try starting up my computer in Safe Mode. It started without a problem, and I then restarted it, hoping the notification wouldn't pop up again. It didn't. I didn't lose anything. Assuming this wasn't a chance of luck, I recommend this method. I only wish I had seen it somewhere on here before resorting to desperate measures the first time. In short: Don't refresh or restore your computer to factory settings If error message continues to appear, turn off computer, turn on computer, wait for error message to show up again, turn off computer, turn on computer. This should cause a different message to pop up, offering advanced settings Under advanced options, find option for restarting computer under different settings (one of them should be safe mode) restart computer when message pops up (it will offer different choices for modifying the computer startup), hit 4 key (or different, if the safe mode option is attached to a different number) allow computer to start in safe mode restart computer Hopefully when your computer restarts after safe mode, it will be as if nothing happened at all. As for stopping it from happening again, I have no advice, sorry.

@ Robert Aldwinckle on forums /@showmethefacts, I had seen this procedure earlier but it was not clear how it worked. It sounded as though the installation media was built from the existing service stack which might not work if the service stack was corrupted. I tried the procedure last night. The webpage Robert referenced downloaded mediacreationtool.exe . To run this program, I had to login using my Admin account ('Run as administrator' did not work). It prompted me for my language, version of Windows and x32/x64. I selected creating an ISO which I could then burn to a DVD since I have a DVD reader/writer. The process downloaded about 3GB of data so my concerns about it building the installation media from my existing service stack were unfounded. My laptop did not have a Windows 8 product key sticker so I followed the instructions at http://www.intowindows.com/how-to-recover-windows-8-product-key/ . ProduKey displayed the Product ID and the Product Key (that's the important one) for **Windows (BIOS OEM Key)**and also Windows 8.1 , even though the laptop came with Windows 8. The instructions about booting from the created media were confusing. There is also a reference to needing a Windows 8.1 key "If you're trying to install the free update from Windows 8 to "Windows 8.1". There is no mention of doing a Repair Install which refreshes Windows 8 without requiring that applications and data be restored/re-installed (see http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/26095-repair-install-windows-8-a.html for details). Unfortunately, due to some deadlines, I am not in a position to test this out to see if it accepts my original Windows 8 key and leaves me with a clean Windows 8.1 system (probably missing recent Windows 8.1 updates). I would strongly recommend that you do a full system backup before trying a Repair Install just in case it makes matters worse. I was one of those who could not install KB2919355 - no error message, no obvious cause, DISM repairs successful but still no joy. I successfully used Windows 8.1 install media to recover the system but I also had a new Windows 8.1 key which is not the case for most people who upgraded from Windows 8 to 8.1.

And after it started it did the "undoing changes" several times.

I tried rebooting my computer after this happened, but it just automatically started the update and I can't even do anything! Help!

the post you referenced related to a Kodak printer That was the final outcome. The initial symptoms were essentially the same as SMTF symptoms so far. In particular, poster had a problem installing KB3000850; DISM was seen reporting Flash as a possible cause; we investigated but finally ignored Flash; finally saw the probable real problem via the CBS.log, fixed that and then finally KB3000850 was installed. I anticipate a similar possible outcome for this one--if we can get the details to help figure out what is really wrong. I am very dubious that Flash will end up as being seen as the problem. Windows 8.1 install media for users with a Windows 8 key At least they relented this much. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/create-reset-refresh-media

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.

0 comments

998 answers

Anonymous

2015-03-22T21:07:39+00:00
I'm not an official on this, but this has happened to me twice before. The first time, I was able to access my computer by refreshing it from the menu that pops up after the first two failed bootups. While I was relieved to use my computer again, I also discovered that the refresh had deleted such desktop programs as Firefox, and with it, all of my bookmarks and history. I was forced to restore all of them manually.

The second time this problem came up, I was in despair at losing everything again, but I looked at all of the options and finally chose to try starting up my computer in Safe Mode. It started without a problem, and I then restarted it, hoping the notification wouldn't pop up again. It didn't. I didn't lose anything. Assuming this wasn't a chance of luck, I recommend this method. I only wish I had seen it somewhere on here before resorting to desperate measures the first time.

In short:
- Don't refresh or restore your computer to factory settings
- If error message continues to appear, turn off computer, turn on computer, wait for error message to show up again, turn off computer, turn on computer. This should cause a different message to pop up, offering advanced settings
- Under advanced options, find option for restarting computer under different settings (one of them should be safe mode)
- restart computer
- when message pops up (it will offer different choices for modifying the computer startup), hit 4 key (or different, if the safe mode option is attached to a different number)
- allow computer to start in safe mode
- restart computer
Hopefully when your computer restarts after safe mode, it will be as if nothing happened at all.

As for stopping it from happening again, I have no advice, sorry.
Was this answer helpful?

0 comments No comments
Anonymous

2015-03-15T13:17:17+00:00

@Robert Aldwinckle on forums/@showmethefacts, I had seen this procedure earlier but it was not clear how it worked. It sounded as though the installation media was built from the existing service stack which might not work if the service stack was corrupted.

I tried the procedure last night. The webpage Robert referenced downloaded mediacreationtool.exe. To run this program, I had to login using my Admin account ('Run as administrator' did not work). It prompted me for my language, version of Windows and x32/x64. I selected creating an ISO which I could then burn to a DVD since I have a DVD reader/writer. The process downloaded about 3GB of data so my concerns about it building the installation media from my existing service stack were unfounded.

My laptop did not have a Windows 8 product key sticker so I followed the instructions at http://www.intowindows.com/how-to-recover-windows-8-product-key/. ProduKey displayed the Product ID and the Product Key (that's the important one) for **Windows (BIOS OEM Key)**and also Windows 8.1, even though the laptop came with Windows 8.

The instructions about booting from the created media were confusing. There is also a reference to needing a Windows 8.1 key "If you're trying to install the free update from Windows 8 to "Windows 8.1". There is no mention of doing a Repair Install which refreshes Windows 8 without requiring that applications and data be restored/re-installed (see http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/26095-repair-install-windows-8-a.html for details). Unfortunately, due to some deadlines, I am not in a position to test this out to see if it accepts my original Windows 8 key and leaves me with a clean Windows 8.1 system (probably missing recent Windows 8.1 updates).

I would strongly recommend that you do a full system backup before trying a Repair Install just in case it makes matters worse. I was one of those who could not install KB2919355 - no error message, no obvious cause, DISM repairs successful but still no joy. I successfully used Windows 8.1 install media to recover the system but I also had a new Windows 8.1 key which is not the case for most people who upgraded from Windows 8 to 8.1.
Was this answer helpful?

0 comments No comments
Anonymous

2015-03-14T01:30:00+00:00

And after it started it did the "undoing changes" several times.
Was this answer helpful?

0 comments No comments
Anonymous

2015-03-14T01:28:55+00:00

I tried rebooting my computer after this happened, but it just automatically started the update and I can't even do anything! Help!
Was this answer helpful?

0 comments No comments
Anonymous

2015-03-13T18:53:33+00:00

the post you referenced related to a Kodak printer

That was the final outcome. The initial symptoms were essentially the same as SMTF symptoms so far. In particular, poster had a problem installing KB3000850; DISM was seen reporting Flash as a possible cause; we investigated but finally ignored Flash; finally saw the probable real problem via the CBS.log, fixed that and then finally KB3000850 was installed. I anticipate a similar possible outcome for this one--if we can get the details to help figure out what is really wrong. I am very dubious that Flash will end up as being seen as the problem.

Windows 8.1 install media for users with a Windows 8 key

At least they relented this much.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/create-reset-refresh-media
Was this answer helpful?

0 comments No comments