Problem checking for updates - Code 80240442 - Windows Update ran into a problem

Do other people with this issue also have a machine with UEFI BIOS?  The only machine I have the issue on is also the only with UEFI.  I didn't even notice that there was a difference, until I tried to restore my Acronis backup made with True Image 2013...  I had to try it a couple time, change around the UEFI setting, switch it back, and the do a bunch of repairs to my restored version.  I was then able to get yesterdays updates, but I am sure that this error will be coming back.  I thought maybe other people with the issue might also be running a machine with a UEFI BIOS.

At least I now know I'm not alone with this. MS support had exactly the same issues with remote diagnostics and in the end "accidentally" terminated the remote session.

I'm having the same problem. I've been affected since upgrading to Window 8.1 late last year. Tagging as many of these posts as I can find in the hopes that someone on one of them finds a resolution one day. I have a work around. But it's not a permanent solution. 

If you haven't seen this elsewhere, open Internet Explorer, go to Tools - Options to open the Internet Options pop-up window.

Before making any of these changes, write down your current settings so that you can change them back later.

In Internet Options, click on the Connections tab. Click the LAN Settings button. Under Proxy Server, check the box for 'Use a proxy server...'. None of the other boxes or fields on this window are filled in. Click the Advanced button to open the Proxy Settings pop-up window. For HTTP and Secure, set proxy address to 127.0.0.1 and set Port to 8888. Under Exceptions, enter exactly: <-loopback>

Click OK to close the Proxy Settings window. Click OK to close the LAN Settings window. Click OK to close Internet Options.

Check for Updates. If you're lucky, it will work. However, with the settings as they are you won't be able to use IE and some programs may not work. Install all updates, and then change the LAN Settings back to the original settings.

Hopefully Microsoft gets this fixed soon. This is a big security flaw impacting a large number of people.

I sympathize with your predicament. There's a long running thread whereby a Finnish user by the name of Mika Hirvonen who's Profile shows him to be s senior software engineer experienced the same difficulties installing the update which you can read about here: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows8_1-windows_update/windows-update-error-80244fff/16f1c7d7-f0e2-4e76-b656-c749287d9713?page=11&msgId=6f74002f-f1aa-4aba-bc33-25d6cfebaa45

I actually referred him to Andy's post since I was under the impression that it had been marked as Answer by him.

But the user eventually gave up and reinstalled the OS.

But it's a bit disconcerting if Microsoft is marking threads as "Answered" just to give the impression that "all is well" with 8.1 when that isn't the case at all.

At least I now know I'm not alone with this. MS support had exactly the same issues with remote diagnostics and in the end "accidentally" terminated the remote session.