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.

Currently I see no other official solution than to rebuild from scratch. Microsoft support is telling people to use their OEM media or to contact the OEM in order to get recovery media. You need to back up your files and rebuild your PC. I deeply apologize for not being able to push Microsoft for any better resolution at this time. I'm sorry.

I was told that people were able to do an in-place repair install with retail version of 8.1 even if they got the free download from the store (they use the key from the retail version). Why can't I do an in-place upgrade if I buy the $100 DVD? That's what I was saying I would do - buy the 8.1 DVD so I could do the in-place (upgrade) installation. Isn't that do the same if people were moving from Windows 7 or 8 to 8.1? Maybe you mis-interpreted what I originally wrote. I have the 8.1 update installed - it was successful. What I don't have now is a working component store supposedly. Dism RestoreHealth does not fix my component store. Other people have had the same issue - they've installed the update but now restorehealth doesn't work.

As per my back and forth with Silverback - can't one buy the retail 8.1 for $100 or so and do a in-place repair install that way instead of having to re-install everything (files, programs, 8.1) all over again?

No, not unless to bought a Windows 8.1 full version and did not update through the store. You will have to start from scratch, installing whatever OS came on your computer than upgrade to 1 step at a time until you install Windows 8.1.1. Hope this helps and if you need further assistance post and we will be glad to Help you. The above opinion is mine and mine alone and doesn't necessarily reflect that of Microsoft, it's employees, or any other member of this forum. "When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe." -John Muir That's my beef! I bought a new OEM Gateway with MS W 8.1 Pro Media Center already installed, settings are set (were set) on "update automatically", all was fine until the system attempted to install a "required windows update" ...which failed and makes the system go into a 3 hour loop of installing, "sorry we cant do finish" "Uninstalling" "restarting" "Installing updates" "Sorry we cant finish".....freaking ground hog day. Now I am being told that I have to go out and buy a version of Windows that is older than the one I have already purchased and install piece meal updates until I reach a point that is equal to the version I previously purchased....how will I know when I reach that point ..... when the system goes into ground hog day mode again!? Seriously, I purchased a product from Microsoft the product does not work as it should, what if anything is Microsoft doing to correct the problem? Telling me to spend another $199 to purchase the same product that I already have and am having an issue with is not a solution!

$100 for a mandatory patch is an unacceptable resolution to me.

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

2014-06-10T19:11:59+00:00

Currently I see no other official solution than to rebuild from scratch. Microsoft support is telling people to use their OEM media or to contact the OEM in order to get recovery media.

You need to back up your files and rebuild your PC.

I deeply apologize for not being able to push Microsoft for any better resolution at this time. I'm sorry.
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Anonymous

2014-06-10T19:23:24+00:00

I was told that people were able to do an in-place repair install with retail version of 8.1 even if they got the free download from the store (they use the key from the retail version). Why can't I do an in-place upgrade if I buy the $100 DVD? That's what I was saying I would do - buy the 8.1 DVD so I could do the in-place (upgrade) installation. Isn't that do the same if people were moving from Windows 7 or 8 to 8.1? Maybe you mis-interpreted what I originally wrote.

I have the 8.1 update installed - it was successful. What I don't have now is a working component store supposedly. Dism RestoreHealth does not fix my component store. Other people have had the same issue - they've installed the update but now restorehealth doesn't work.
Was this answer helpful?

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Anonymous

2014-06-10T19:24:38+00:00

As per my back and forth with Silverback - can't one buy the retail 8.1 for $100 or so and do a in-place repair install that way instead of having to re-install everything (files, programs, 8.1) all over again?
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Anonymous

2014-06-10T19:28:14+00:00

No, not unless to bought a Windows 8.1 full version and did not update through the store. You will have to start from scratch, installing whatever OS came on your computer than upgrade to 1 step at a time until you install Windows 8.1.1. Hope this helps and if you need further assistance post and we will be glad to Help you.

The above opinion is mine and mine alone and doesn't necessarily reflect that of Microsoft, it's employees, or any other member of this forum.

"When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe." -John Muir

That's my beef! I bought a new OEM Gateway with MS W 8.1 Pro Media Center already installed, settings are set (were set) on "update automatically", all was fine until the system attempted to install a "required windows update" ...which failed and makes the system go into a 3 hour loop of installing, "sorry we cant do finish" "Uninstalling" "restarting" "Installing updates" "Sorry we cant finish".....freaking ground hog day.

Now I am being told that I have to go out and buy a version of Windows that is older than the one I have already purchased and install piece meal updates until I reach a point that is equal to the version I previously purchased....how will I know when I reach that point ..... when the system goes into ground hog day mode again!?

Seriously, I purchased a product from Microsoft the product does not work as it should, what if anything is Microsoft doing to correct the problem? Telling me to spend another $199 to purchase the same product that I already have and am having an issue with is not a solution!
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Anonymous

2014-06-10T19:30:21+00:00

$100 for a mandatory patch is an unacceptable resolution to me.
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