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.

Of course I tried. Was that "did you try" really necessary? You might as well have added "you idiot" to your question. RA apparently did not understand my question. I wrote in my previous post the following: **"** The reference to a cmd window makes no sense to me since I am seeing these error codes when I try to download and install -- not in a cmd window." The error codes I was asked to copy for comment have never been in a cmd window. So I do not need to copy from the cmd black box. As I have stated here before, I cannot download and install certain "critical" windows updates. Often, it gets stuck at 5% and will not download more than 5%. When I can occasionally get to the "install" point and follow the instructions to restart, I ALWAYS get the message that they could not be installed and that the computer is undoing changes. The error codes change all the time and none of the windows help screens have anything to offer. The error codes are not in a cmd box; they are in a window about updates and the details of why they would not install. There is no easy or intuitive way to copy that screen -- right clicking on a screen does nothing; there is no pull-down list of options, no "edit" or "mark" visible. Highlighting and using Cntrl C does nothing. I have run the windows update troubleshooter many times and it ALWAYS says it fixed something -- but I still cannot install updates. Why is this so difficult and why do people trying to answer here seem so intent on cryptic (and subtly critical) partial clues, instead of straight-forward answers? This is not a law school class for first year students where the professor needs to ask questions that he or she thinks will lead students to learn to think for themselves -- so the attempt at Socratic method is both inappropriate and unhelpful. It is no wonder Apple has some many devoted fans. They don't hide the ball like some in the "Microsoft community" seems to delight in doing. This is a quick trip to loss of market share.

this is what I see: Search results for "WindowsUpdate_80073712 OR WindowsUpdate_dt000"‎‏ (2) Search results for "WindowsUpdate_80073712 OR WindowsUpdate_dt000"‎‏ (0) Getting search results... We couldn't find any results. Here are some things to try: Check your spelling and try again. Search for different or more general terms. Browse Help topics. Search the Windows website. Troubleshoot problems with installing updates Learn more about common problems with installing Windows updates, and steps you can take to solve them to help keep Windows up to date. Windows Update error 0x80073712 Get help for Windows Update error 80073712, 0x80073712, or WindowsUpdate_80073712. I took a photo of this screen with my phone and emailed it to myself, then attached it here. This is one of the screens that cannot be copied (at least not through any method I can find)

@ showmethefacts , if you go to Control Panel/Windows Update and display 'View update history', which update(s) are failing? You can right-click in this window to copy the details. 80073712 is discussed at https://support.microsoft.com/kb/957310 . if the sfc and dism commands do not resolve the problem, an in-place repair may be you best option but for that you will need the install media for your computer. Unfortunately, Microsoft does not allow you to download Windows 8.1 install media from http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/upgrade-product-key-only with a Windows 8 product key (you can get your key using http://www.nextofwindows.com/how-to-retrieve-windows-8-oem-product-key-from-bios/ ). I do not have personal experience with using Windows 8 install media to repair a Windows 8.1 system, followed by applying all Windows 8 maintenance, then the Windows 8.1 upgrade and maintenance. Has anyone successfully done this? http://www.howtogeek.com/186775/how-to-download-windows-7-8-and-8.1-installation-media-legally/ implies that you can create install media from your existing installation but since the Windows Update stack appears to be corrupted, I am not sure if the install media will be useful. Again, no personal experience. >>> There are Windows panels that do not support copy/paste. Windows 7+ has a Snipping Tool that can capture images and save them as a file or copy to the clipboard.

I got this error too no error code. Its not showing in history any failed updates either

The error codes I was asked to copy for comment have never been in a cmd window. So I do not need to copy from the cmd black box. Then it would have been helpful if you had pointed out my error then instead of implying that you didn't know what I meant. Why is this so difficult and why do people trying to answer here seem so intent on cryptic (and subtly critical) partial clues, instead of straight-forward answers? Because often there are no straight-forward answers, because hints and tips often suffice, and because this is supposed to be a community of peers helping each other. If you want more complete one-on-one help you can call Microsoft but they may ask you to pay for it. BTW I still think it would help if you would try that PowerShell pipeline I mentioned (or the pseudo /version command in the link I gave) because last week someone actually did have another instance of the problem that was found in that thread . For your convenience here it is again PS C:\Windows> **LS -Re -Fi dism.exe sort LastWriteTime ft Length, FullName -AutoSize** Note that you need to do this from an elevated PowerShell window (aka Administrator Windows PowerShell) and you need to navigate to that directory level. However, if you would like you could alternatively start at the root. The point is that the recursion needs to be started at least at the Windows level. And then, if you do do that you will need to know how to capture output from a shell command window. <eg> FYI Robert

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

2015-03-02T06:25:37+00:00

Of course I tried. Was that "did you try" really necessary? You might as well have added "you idiot" to your question.

RA apparently did not understand my question. I wrote in my previous post the following:

**"**The reference to a cmd window makes no sense to me since I am seeing these error codes when I try to download and install -- not in a cmd window."

The error codes I was asked to copy for comment have never been in a cmd window. So I do not need to copy from the cmd black box.

As I have stated here before, I cannot download and install certain "critical" windows updates. Often, it gets stuck at 5% and will not download more than 5%. When I can occasionally get to the "install" point and follow the instructions to restart, I ALWAYS get the message that they could not be installed and that the computer is undoing changes. The error codes change all the time and none of the windows help screens have anything to offer.

The error codes are not in a cmd box; they are in a window about updates and the details of why they would not install. There is no easy or intuitive way to copy that screen -- right clicking on a screen does nothing; there is no pull-down list of options, no "edit" or "mark" visible. Highlighting and using Cntrl C does nothing.

I have run the windows update troubleshooter many times and it ALWAYS says it fixed something -- but I still cannot install updates.

Why is this so difficult and why do people trying to answer here seem so intent on cryptic (and subtly critical) partial clues, instead of straight-forward answers? This is not a law school class for first year students where the professor needs to ask questions that he or she thinks will lead students to learn to think for themselves -- so the attempt at Socratic method is both inappropriate and unhelpful. It is no wonder Apple has some many devoted fans. They don't hide the ball like some in the "Microsoft community" seems to delight in doing. This is a quick trip to loss of market share.
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Anonymous

2015-03-02T06:58:45+00:00
this is what I see:

Search results for "WindowsUpdate_80073712 OR WindowsUpdate_dt000"‎‏ (2)

Search results for "WindowsUpdate_80073712 OR WindowsUpdate_dt000"‎‏ (0)

Getting search results...

We couldn't find any results. Here are some things to try:
- Check your spelling and try again.
- Search for different or more general terms.
- Browse Help topics.
- Search the Windows website.
Troubleshoot problems with installing updates

Learn more about common problems with installing Windows updates, and steps you can take to solve them to help keep Windows up to date.

Windows Update error 0x80073712

Get help for Windows Update error 80073712, 0x80073712, or WindowsUpdate_80073712.

I took a photo of this screen with my phone and emailed it to myself, then attached it here. This is one of the screens that cannot be copied (at least not through any method I can find)
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Anonymous

2015-03-02T14:43:16+00:00

@showmethefacts, if you go to Control Panel/Windows Update and display 'View update history', which update(s) are failing? You can right-click in this window to copy the details.

80073712 is discussed at https://support.microsoft.com/kb/957310. if the sfc and dism commands do not resolve the problem, an in-place repair may be you best option but for that you will need the install media for your computer. Unfortunately, Microsoft does not allow you to download Windows 8.1 install media from http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/upgrade-product-key-only with a Windows 8 product key (you can get your key using http://www.nextofwindows.com/how-to-retrieve-windows-8-oem-product-key-from-bios/).

I do not have personal experience with using Windows 8 install media to repair a Windows 8.1 system, followed by applying all Windows 8 maintenance, then the Windows 8.1 upgrade and maintenance. Has anyone successfully done this?

http://www.howtogeek.com/186775/how-to-download-windows-7-8-and-8.1-installation-media-legally/ implies that you can create install media from your existing installation but since the Windows Update stack appears to be corrupted, I am not sure if the install media will be useful. Again, no personal experience.

>>>

There are Windows panels that do not support copy/paste. Windows 7+ has a Snipping Tool that can capture images and save them as a file or copy to the clipboard.
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Anonymous

2015-03-02T15:15:28+00:00

I got this error too no error code. Its not showing in history any failed updates either
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Anonymous

2015-03-02T16:03:39+00:00

The error codes I was asked to copy for comment have never been in a cmd window. So I do not need to copy from the cmd black box.

Then it would have been helpful if you had pointed out my error then instead of implying that you didn't know what I meant.

Why is this so difficult and why do people trying to answer here seem so intent on cryptic (and subtly critical) partial clues, instead of straight-forward answers?

Because often there are no straight-forward answers, because hints and tips often suffice, and because this is supposed to be a community of peers helping each other. If you want more complete one-on-one help you can call Microsoft but they may ask you to pay for it.

BTW I still think it would help if you would try that PowerShell pipeline I mentioned (or the pseudo /version command in the link I gave) because last week someone actually did have another instance of the problem that was found in that thread.

For your convenience here it is again

PS C:\Windows> **LS -Re -Fi dism.exe sort LastWriteTime ft Length, FullName -AutoSize**

Note that you need to do this from an elevated PowerShell window (aka Administrator Windows PowerShell) and you need to navigate to that directory level. However, if you would like you could alternatively start at the root. The point is that the recursion needs to be started at least at the Windows level.

And then, if you do do that you will need to know how to capture output from a shell command window. <eg>

FYI

Robert
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