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.

Yes, mystery solved on why you were giving me instructions on how to copy a cmd screen. I apologize for getting frustrated, and I do appreciate your help. I was born in 1956 and do not have a technical background. So I am unsure of how to "try the FSUTIL HARDLINK option." Your previous answer about it said: '**'** I have found a better way to try to resolve uncertainty about what is active. The first can be run in either an elevated cmd window or an elevated PowerShell window. I have coded it so it doesn't matter where you are. fsutil hardlink list "C:\Windows\System32\wininet.dll" I can open an elevated command prompt, where I get the black screen and the flashing cursor at the end of C:\Windows\System32(and a symbol not on my keyboard that looks like the math "greater than" symbol. But then what? Do I type in some or all of C:\Windows\System32\wininet.dll or do I type **fsutil hardlink,**and if so, where? I am unsure of what to do after opening an elevated command prompt box. Thank you

even when I try just one at a time. it will not download. It gets stuck at 5% forever, then fails That could be consistent with a DISM and WU version problem. Please try the FSUTIL HARDLINK command to check on that hypothesis. If your system is broken you may be just wasting your time trying to use it in the state that it seems to be in. BTW on re-reading the last few pages I think I found why I may have explained to you how to capture text from a cmd window: a few pages back NH905 asked you for the exact text of some messages which might have helped explain your code 87. So my mistake would have been thinking that you were replying to that--which it seems you never did. HTH Robert

even when I try just one at a time. it will not download. It gets stuck at 5% forever, then fails

these updates cannot be installed: Security Update for Internet Explorer Flash Player for Windows 8.1 for x64-based Systems (KB3021953) Download size: 17.7 MB Update for Windows 8.1 for x64-based Systems (KB3000850) Download size: 723.9 MB Update for Windows 8.1 for x64-based Systems (KB3008242) Download size: 230 KB

I can only copy one line at a time. I cannot find a way to copy the whole list, but here is the top one: Security Update for Internet Explorer Flash Player for Windows 8.1 for x64-based Systems (KB3021953) Installation date: ‎3/‎2/‎2015 12:50 AM Installation status: Failed Error details: Code 80073712

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

2015-03-03T03:11:37+00:00

Yes, mystery solved on why you were giving me instructions on how to copy a cmd screen. I apologize for getting frustrated, and I do appreciate your help.

I was born in 1956 and do not have a technical background. So I am unsure of how to "try the FSUTIL HARDLINK option." Your previous answer about it said:

'**'**I have found a better way to try to resolve uncertainty about what is active. The first can be run in either an elevated cmd window or an elevated PowerShell window. I have coded it so it doesn't matter where you are.

fsutil hardlink list "C:\Windows\System32\wininet.dll"

I can open an elevated command prompt, where I get the black screen and the flashing cursor at the end of

C:\Windows\System32(and a symbol not on my keyboard that looks like the math "greater than" symbol. But then what? Do I type in some or all of C:\Windows\System32\wininet.dllor do I type **fsutil hardlink,**and if so, where?

I am unsure of what to do after opening an elevated command prompt box. Thank you
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Anonymous

2015-03-03T02:18:10+00:00

even when I try just one at a time. it will not download. It gets stuck at 5% forever, then fails

That could be consistent with a DISM and WU version problem. Please try the FSUTIL HARDLINK command to check on that hypothesis. If your system is broken you may be just wasting your time trying to use it in the state that it seems to be in.

BTW on re-reading the last few pages I think I found why I may have explained to you how to capture text from a cmd window: a few pages back NH905 asked you for the exact text of some messages which might have helped explain your code 87. So my mistake would have been thinking that you were replying to that--which it seems you never did.

HTH

Robert
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Anonymous

2015-03-03T01:20:07+00:00

even when I try just one at a time. it will not download. It gets stuck at 5% forever, then fails
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Anonymous

2015-03-03T01:02:33+00:00

these updates cannot be installed:

Security Update for Internet Explorer Flash Player for Windows 8.1 for x64-based Systems (KB3021953)

Download size: 17.7 MB

Update for Windows 8.1 for x64-based Systems (KB3000850)

Download size: 723.9 MB

Update for Windows 8.1 for x64-based Systems (KB3008242)

Download size: 230 KB
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Anonymous

2015-03-03T00:41:41+00:00

I can only copy one line at a time. I cannot find a way to copy the whole list, but here is the top one:

Security Update for Internet Explorer Flash Player for Windows 8.1 for x64-based Systems (KB3021953)

Installation date: ‎3/‎2/‎2015 12:50 AM

Installation status: Failed

Error details: Code 80073712
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