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
    2018-01-15T02:48:02+00:00

    Didn't get these errors however both these updates completely removed my boot settings and caused BSOD for two of my computers. I stopped all updates on all of my computers. One drive has been completely unrecoverable and all my docs, pictures and settings gone! So tired of all these updates screwing up my computers! Microsoft stop putting out updates without testing them. This is the 4th time this has happened due to updates! I have spend way too much time trying to recoup my computers because you didn't have time to check these patches or updates before pushing them through to my computers!!!

    STOP TRASHING MY COMPUTERS MICROSOFT!!!!!

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  2. Anonymous
    2018-01-14T19:06:03+00:00

    After a whole month of frustrating failing updates and all other methods tried numerous times, I reinstalled Windows 10 Home with the creators tool. After the smooth reinstallation process I now finally have version 1709. I lost the apps but none of the personal files. Reinstalling the apps will take some time but far less than the time waisted trying to find anotjer solution.  If I knew it would go that smooth,  I would have done it earlier. About the other suggested solution, that did not work. In windows 10 home there's no  'defer upgrades' tickbox and uninstalling the update assistant only made windows installing it again and failing again. 

    I hope this helps. All the best

    im not tech savvy enough to try and reinstall Windows 10 Pro .. just an FYI the "Defer Updates" box is found by clicking "Advanced Options" under Update Settings .. Deferring updates did nothing for me nor did uninstalling update assistant as windows just reinstalled it within an hour or so and it just repeats the old update failure of the 2 security updates and the 2 version updates for both 1703 and 1709 .. guess ill have to bring it into my PC repair guy for him to get it updated.

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  3. Anonymous
    2018-01-14T17:37:21+00:00

    After a whole month of frustrating failing updates and all other methods tried numerous times, I reinstalled Windows 10 Home with the creators tool. After the smooth reinstallation process I now finally have version 1709. I lost the apps but none of the personal files. Reinstalling the apps will take some time but far less than the time waisted trying to find anotjer solution.  If I knew it would go that smooth,  I would have done it earlier. About the other suggested solution, that did not work. In windows 10 home there's no  'defer upgrades' tickbox and uninstalling the update assistant only made windows installing it again and failing again. 

    I hope this helps. All the best

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  4. Anonymous
    2018-01-13T20:40:27+00:00

    Hi Roe:

    One other thing I did that I failed to mention in my previous post was to tick the Defer Upgrades box in the Advanced Settings for Windows Update.

    I then deleted the Windows 10 Update Assistant using the control panel.

    Following this - maybe a day or two later? - Windows version 1703 - called "Creators Update" - successfully installed.  At the time of my previous post I mistakenly thought that this was version 1709.  Once I realized that I had 1703 and not 1709, I went back and unticked the Defer Upgrades box.  Shortly thereafter, Windows version 1709 - the so-called "Fall Creators Update" - downloaded and installed.

    Windows update might be attempting to directly upgrade 1607 to 1709 which apparently won't work.  Ticking "Defer Upgrades" takes 1709 off the table, so 1703 is tried, which will install over 1607.  Once that's in place, 1709 should be installable which you can make happen by unticking the defer box once more.

    So if you have version 1607 at present, you might want to try the above.

    Hope the above works for you.

    wow.. i don't know what kind of crazy wizardry this is but you totally saved my sanity !

    was plagued with this problem for over a month !

    was ready to throw my computer onto the street. 

    this windows update jam was a total headache.  computer would no longer sleep, it constantly tried to install that huge creators update which failed every single time.  every time i came to my computer screen i was greeted by the ridiculous installation failed windows assistant blue screen overlay.  then the entire process would start over again just eating through my bandwidth!

    tried your suggestion and it finally was able to complete the kb4033631 and kb4049411 updates

    after this, it was smooth sailing through the creator's update.

    i am sure there are thousands more struggling with this same issue.  it took me over a month to finally sit down and take the time to google this issue and i am so glad i came across your post !

    thank you DavidHankins1 !!!!!

    microsoft should pay you for this !  as they are clearly incompetent in finding a solution to this problem for every one !!!  their replies in every thread are trivial in nature as though they are reading from a complete script !

    i've attached a picture showing the dreaded updates finally succeeding after your suggestion of ticking the defer upgrades box.  thanks again!

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