Windows 8.1 Update 1 Failing to Install with errors 80070020, 80073712 and 0x800f081f

Susan, how do I get a support ticket opened for me for this?

I previously had the 80073712 error; but with the new and improved version of the 8.1 Update I now get error 80070002.

@mattd73uk:

I successfully updated three damaged systems that failed the toxic update 2919355 with error code 80070002 and the swath of destruction left behind.  In the beginning, I kept on repairing the damage and returning to Windows Update, which unleashed more damage--a vicious cycle.  I performed all scans and repairs in a clean boot environment, finally installing the stand-alone downloaded KB2919355. In two of the three systems, the scans, repairs and installation went through with the script below. On the third system, the damage to the softwaredistribution folder was so severe that it could not be repaired.  I stopped the Windows update service. rebooted, renamed the softwaredistribution folder to softwaredistributionold, started the windows update service, rebooted and then went on to a successful install. It took six to eight hours per system to clear the damage caused by KB2919355 and then successfully install the stand-alone update. I had never disabled anything while installing Windows updates previously and have not done so since installing KB2919355. This one is so toxic that a clean boot environment where everything but windows services is disabled, along with all startup items. is the only way to go. It eliminates finger pointing and wondering if antivirus or this or that program is getting in the way. Here's what worked for me on all three systems, six to eight hours per install:

1.  Go to: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=42335 and download the first item, Windows8.1-KB2919355-x64.msu, 690mb. It will save to the download folder and you will need it to install the update later.

2.  Perform a clean boot:

*Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and then tap Search. Or, if you are using a mouse, point to the lower-right corner of the screen, and then click Search. Type msconfig in the search box, and then tap or click msconfig.

*On the Services tab of the System Configuration dialog box, tap or click to select the Hide all Microsoft services check box, and then tap or click Disable all.

*On the Startup tab of the System Configuration dialog box, tap or click Open Task Manager.

*On the Startup tab in Task Manager, for each startup item, select the item and then right-click Disable.

*Close Task Manager.

*On the Startup tab of the System Configuration dialog box, tap or click OK, and then restart the computer.

3.  Rename the softwaredistribution folder to softwaredistributionold by turning the windows update service off, rebooting, renaming the folder, turning on the Windows update service . . Follow the steps here:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-update-error-80070002#1TC=windows-7

4. Type the word command in the search bar and you should see an icon for the command prompt. Right click on the Command Prompt icon and select Run as Administrator. A Dos prompt window will appeat. I have enclosed these instructions as a notepad file to make it easier to copy and paste the following exceedingly series on DOS commands. The prompt will appear as: c:\windows\system32>
5. Begin the first scan by selecting and copying this:

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Scanhealth

Place the mouse cursor in the DOS box, right click and paste. Then hit enter and wait for the scan to complete

6. Begin the second scan by selecting and copying this:

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth

Place the mouse cursor in the DOS box, right click and paste. Then hit enter and wait for the scan to complete

7. Go to: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058/ and click on the blue run now button under Automatically diagnose and fix common problems with Windows update. Download WindowsUpdateDiagnostic.diagcab and then run it. You will also find it in the download folder. Wait until it completes.
8. Go back to the command prompt. Make sure you are still running it as administrator. Begin the next scan by selecting and copying this:

 sfc /scannow

Place the mouse cursor in the DOS box, right click and paste. Then hit enter and wait for the scan to complete

9. Go back to the command prompt. Make sure you are still running it as administrator. Begin the next scan by selecting and copying this:

dism /online /remove-package /packagename:Package_for_KB2919355~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~6.3.1.14

Place the mouse cursor in the DOS box, right click and paste. Then hit enter and wait for the scan to complete

10. Go back to the command prompt. Make sure you are still running it as administrator. Begin the next scan by selecting and copying this:

dism /online /cleanup-image /startcomponentcleanup /resetbase

Place the mouse cursor in the DOS box, right click and paste. Then hit enter and wait for the scan to complete

11. Go back to the command prompt. Make sure you are still running it as administrator. Begin the next scan by selecting and copying this:

cleanmgr.exe

Run Clean Manager, select Drive C:,  but ONLY select and delete Temporary Files and System Archived files Windows error Files.

12.  the second scan by selecting and copying this:

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth

Place the mouse cursor in the DOS box, right click and paste. Then hit enter and wait for the scan to complete

13. Upon restarting the computer, you have a cleaned up computer, running only Windows services.
14. Go to your download folder and run Windows8.1-KB2919355-x64.msu,. It will take some time. When prompted, restart your computer and wait for the update process to complete. When you log on to Windows, you'll know if the update succeeded if you see the Windows Store icon on the taskbar in desktop mode.
15. Return to standard boot:

*Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and then tap Search. Or, if you are using a mouse, point to the lower-right corner of the screen, and then click Search. Type msconfig in the search box, and then tap or click msconfig.

*On the first screen, select Normal Startup,changing from selective startup.

*On the Startup tab in Task Manager, for each startup item, select the item and then right-click Enable.

*Close Task Manager.

*On the Startup tab of the System Configuration dialog box, tap or click OK, and then restart the computer.

18. You should now have a working Windows 8.1 Update 1

Hope this works for you,

Tom

Wow...thank you for sharing your success story but I don't think MS should have created an update that makes all these steps necessary because they ruin the system in the first place. That is simply ridiculous.

Repeat after me:

Updates - should - just - work.  Period.

They should install silently and automatically.  When they do not, Houston we have a problem.

The update caused my windows 8.1 msn mail app not to open up and others it just flickered and went back to the desktop never to open up. It's worse now with the update I'm going to the MAC after all this BS!!!