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.

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

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!

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 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.

@mjchris, Windows 8.1 media can be downloaded from http://windows.microsoft.com/en-CA/windows-8/create-reset-refresh-media . Similar to the Windows 10 upgrade, the installation media will work even if you do not have a Windows 8.1 product key, something that was an issue earlier for those of us upgraded pre-installed Windows 8 systems to Windows 8.1. The importance thing is to do a refresh or repair ( http://windows.microsoft.com/en-ca/windows-8/restore-refresh-reset-pc ).

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

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

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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?

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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

2015-08-03T19:01:04+00:00

@mjchris, Windows 8.1 media can be downloaded from http://windows.microsoft.com/en-CA/windows-8/create-reset-refresh-media. Similar to the Windows 10 upgrade, the installation media will work even if you do not have a Windows 8.1 product key, something that was an issue earlier for those of us upgraded pre-installed Windows 8 systems to Windows 8.1. The importance thing is to do a refresh or repair (http://windows.microsoft.com/en-ca/windows-8/restore-refresh-reset-pc).
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