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
    2018-01-08T23:09:52+00:00

    same issues.

    tried at least 30 solutions from every google result I could find, still no love and zero progress.

    unbelievable that I come to the end of this thread... and no solutions.. only continued reporting of the exact same issues by multiple people.

    no choice but to let it simmer for a couple weeks, and if still no solution from the developer:  reinstall.

    way to ring in 2018, MS !

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  2. Anonymous
    2018-01-08T22:27:54+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.

    I have this box already ticked and it didn't work for me and i have Win 10 Pro version .. tried rebooting and still have 1607 version .. i just use the windows Disk Cleanup tool every day to get rid of the many system download files that have failed to install.

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  3. Anonymous
    2018-01-08T22:25:03+00:00

    Hi,

    The only person who I have heard has solved the problem was someone who paid for Windows Pro - may be that this is an unintended consequence but until Microsoft find a patch then this may be our only viable choice - really annoying as it seems.

    Thanks for the feed back - I have done all you have - tried to re boot, now uninstalled Update Assistant - next stop will be the cheque book.

    Simple Sailor

    I have had Pro version since day 1 and have not been able to install these updates or upgrade to the latest version even with Defer Updates box ticked. so upgrading to Pro doesn't work for everyone

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  4. Anonymous
    2018-01-08T22:19:18+00:00

    Exact same issue here, I am really pissed, every single day, download and update installation, reboot, failed message. I've paid for this OS, I did not ask anything and everyday since 12/20/2917 Microsoft is NOT owing me the service I paid for, this is unacceptable.

    I won't even talk about the downloading disturbing my broadband

    The installation process using ressources

    The reboots 

    etc...

    Update for Windows 10 Version 1607 for x64-System (KB4033631)

    Update for Windows 10 Version 1607 for x64-System (KB4049411)

    I have to say that the support is quite disappointing regarding the potential users affected.

    If you have the same issue, I suggest you post a message here so eventually we get more attention from support.

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