Windows 10 KB4033631 and KB4049411 both fail with Error 0x8000ffff

Anonymous
2017-11-28T04:21:57+00:00

Windows Update downloads and attempts to update KB4033631 and KB4049411 on Windows 10 64 bit laptop daily and it fails each time with:

There were problems installing some updates, but we'll try again later. If you keep seeing this and want to search the web or contact support for information, this may help:

  • Update for Windows 10 Version 1607 for x64-based Systems (KB4033631) - Error 0x8000ffff
  • Update for Windows 10 Version 1607 for x64-based Systems (KB4049411) - Error 0x8000ffff
Windows for home | Windows 10 | Windows update

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Anonymous
2018-04-15T03:18:33+00:00

I was finally able to upgrade my Windows 10 version .. what a headache! .. ill post what i did so maybe it will help others with this issue

things you will need before starting

 alcoholic beverage of choice

1-2 blank CD/DVD's ( 1 if you have an alternate location like an external HD to back up important files and such, 2 if you don't) i used blank DVDs i got from the dollar store as DVDs will hold about 4.5 GBs of data which is equal to about 12 entire music CDs worth.

what i did to resolve the never ending update loop by finally reinstalling the latest version over top of the old version

I made a new folder on my desktop and named it "back up" .. sent a copy of all important files, photos, documents including exe files for any apps i wanted to save to this folder i also made an HTML file of all my browser bookmarks/favorites and what ever other settings i could and put that in the back up locations, i then copied the folder to a blank disk as well as sent a copy to an external HD just in case something went wrong.

I downloaded the Media Creation Tool (found here - https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10 ) then used it to create a Windows 10 setup ISO file to my desktop, i burned the ISO file to another blank disk .. i then went to Settings, then Recovery then chose Advanced Start Up .. clicked that to reboot my system then chose boot up from cd or dvd by clicking any key and followed the prompts .. i first tried using the "reset my pc option with saving files and settings" but that didnt work and either did "reset my pc with saving nothing", i was finally able to get it to work by choosing the advanced options and clicking the "fix windows start up loading issues" option, the disk started windows 10 set up and i chose to not keep anything and to just install windows, i entered my product key when asked, even tho since i was just reinstalling i didnt really need it as there is an option to skip entering it.. i was given the option of where to install it ( partition 1 2 or 3, version 1607 was installed on partition 2) and chose to install it over the existing operating system, it took less than 30 minutes to completely install so you need to watch and remove the disk from the CD rom drive before the pc reboots, you only have about 10 seconds to get the disk removed or else it will reinstall again. Was a lot easier upgrading to the latest version than i thought, the only thing i have left to do is reinstall all my apps and programs after windows finishes downloading and installing all the updates.

so now i have Windows 10 pro version 1709 build 16299.371 installed

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  1. Anonymous
    2018-01-10T20:15:47+00:00

    Hello,

    It was present in one of the checkboxes in your screen shot.

    I checked it, but after the successful update from 1607 to 1703 (Win10 Pro) the deferred option changed as mentioned in my post.

    I am not sure about windows update assistant. What I did was to click on check for updates once I uninstall that assistant from Apps, and it started downloading update for 1703.

    So to resume:

    1. Checked the checkbox deferred update
    2. Uninstall assistant from Apps
    3. Run windows update

    *EDIT*

    Maybe this can help you enable that option:

    https://4sysops.com/archives/the-new-defer-upgrades-and-update-group-policy-in-detail/

    The part that you want to try to enable is:

    If you want to do this for all Windows 10 machines in your network, you can use the Group Policy Defer Upgrades in Computer Configuration > Policies > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update~~~~. This makes you a WUB user, and you will now receive feature updates (upgrades) at least four months later than users in the CB receive them.

    Actually don't do that. It says "now you will receive feature updates" but that's not what you want. You want to defer this so as to be able to update to a previous version. But the post from the link seem interesting.

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  2. Anonymous
    2018-01-10T20:05:35+00:00

    Hi,

    What were your exact steps to defer the upgrade to 1709 and install 1703 first? I went into the advanced options of Windows Update and did check the "Defer" option. I then uninstalled the Windows 10 Update Assistant. However soon after another "Windows 10 Update Assistant" appeared and tried installing 1709 (which failed again as usual). I checked and now I no longer have any option for deferring upgrades or re-enabling it. I uninstalled Windows 10 updateassistant AGAIN and shortly after (a couple of ours or the next morning), my laptop was trying to install the Windows 10 update. Was there another step to ensure that Windows doesn't keep installing the Windows 10 Update Assistant?

    Thanks!

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  3. Anonymous
    2018-01-10T19:30:38+00:00

    happy to hear this. I was able to go directly to 1709 and skipped 1703. Hope this works out for you. My system has been stable. As I mentioned, i'm not a tech person. I'm thinking that when I created the media tool (the usb) I don't remember if there was a choice of 1703 or just 1709. Seems to me it was just 1709. No matter. if it's working awesome!

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  4. Anonymous
    2018-01-10T19:22:44+00:00

    Hello,

    With your method I was able to finally jump from 1607 to 1703. However I do not see the deferred update option in windows update advance option anymore.

    What I have instead is a drop down option saying:

    "A feature update includes new capabilities and improvements. It can be deferred for this many days:"

    With values ranging from 0 - 8. 0 being the default selected option.

    Now I'll be waiting to see if this update can get me up to 1709.

    But A BIG THANK YOU already as I was struggling to get pass 1607.

    *EDIT* the deferred option is now classified as "Branch" in advance option. Choosing current branch found the 1709 update. While the "Current Branch for Business" didn't. Downloading as I am typing.

    Regards,

    Kenny.

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