Windows 8.1 won't update

This one isn't really of any interest to you unless you happen to live in Russia:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/kb/3148851

But you can see from your own screenshot that there's a link under "More information". I just typed that URL which gave me the support article above.

You can do the same with the failed updates. If you don't understand the content post the link here and I'll take a look at it for you.

Julie,

Are you intending to upgrade to Windows 10, or do you prefer to stick with 8.1?

The reason I'm asking is because one of the failed updates is Windows 10 Home which is visible in the background.

If you propose to stick with 8.1 download this free tool to block the Windows 10 installation: http://blog.ultimateoutsider.com/2015/08/using-gwx-stopper-to-permanently-remove.html

Hi

Not sure if it's the bigger files that won't update, all the smaller ones have, 2 that definitely won't update are:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/kb/3146723 and https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/kb/3147071 and were about 13 MB, there are 3 others that are bigger files that I haven't tried yet, so not sure if they will be the same but they are 3115224, 3138602 and 3148198.  I don't really understand the content in those links, so don't really know what to do now.

We tried updating to Windows 10 hoping that would solve the problem, but that didn't work either!

Do you have an application called Storagecraft installed? Here's the link to their site: https://www.storagecraft.com/

Provided you don't, try downloading KB3146723 from here: https://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=24473cc4-c9d9-44ca-adb7-2c8607e1d0df

You'll have to use Internet Explorer so that you can choose to install it immediately. You'll see the option to do that at the bottom of the browser.

If you get an error when you try to install it, hit Windows key + PrtSc key and it will take a screenshot of it and save it automatically to your Pictures folder. You can subsequently use the snipping tool to copy just that and then post it here.

Before trying to download it though, create a manual System Restore point as follows:

1. Right click the Start button and click System.
2. Click the link to System protection in the menu on the left.
3. Click the Create button at the bottom of the System Restore menu.
4. Give your Restore point a name, something you can remember easily and then click Create.
5. Close all menus and then try and download the update.

KB3147071 is only of interest to you if you have an Oracle Database installed. A standard licence to that costs $17,500 together with a software support fee amounting to $3,850 annually. If you can't recall spending such a sum on software, you can rest assured that it's not installed. 

You can skip KB3115224 since it's only relevant to Windows Server 2012. It appears in the list because Windows Server is built on 8.1 architecture.

Try downloading KB3138602 manually from here: https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/kb/3138602  Use Internet Explorer again so that you can install it immediately. If you get an error message, you know what to do.

KB3148198 is a security update for Internet Explorer. Like the others, you can try installing it manually from here: https://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=7adf08ce-9382-481b-a1fc-cdc841ef47c7

The reason I suggested creating a System Restore point earlier is because installing KB3146723 could cause a BSOD (Blue Screen of Death). This can occur if certain programs have been installed which overwrite a Windows file called Winload.exe. As can be seen from the screenshot though, I was able to install it on my own machine without any problems.

If you're unlucky enough to get a BSOD, you can use System Restore to wind back the clock to the time prior to installing it. Just click the System Restore button in the menu and select the manual restore point you created which will be recognizable by the name you gave it.

Here's the screenshot I mentioned.