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
    2017-12-09T13:46:33+00:00

    I have the same issue but the error code is different: 0x8007001f

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-12-07T15:44:49+00:00

    I have the identical issue, same two updates, and it has been doing it for months.

    Microsoft: "Users want the machine to just automatically update so its easier for them"

    Actual Users: "Microsoft, stop breaking my machine!!!"

    Number of times Microsoft has screwed up my machine interrupting work: 154 and counting

    Viruses: 1

    Who is the bigger threat?

    Is there a way to disable certain updates?

    A few months ago I said I was on a metered internet connection so I could stop the updates but now it seems like everyday it makes me click the view updates box so I can look at the two KB's that have a 6 month history of failing to update.

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-12-03T00:49:10+00:00

    I performed the identical steps as STORM36 multiple times with the same result. In addition, since these updates are hung up, I get the "Getting Windows Ready Do not turn off your machine" message on shutdown and boot up. Looking back through the update log, this started failing in June 2017. Windows update downloads the updates each time which could be multiple times per day. Now this doesn't sound like much but Comcast (my ISP) instituted metered service on hard wired internet connections. For 3 months now I have exceeded my download quota costing me $50 in additional fees for each occurrence. I had to "Disable" the Windows Update Service to keep from going over my quota again. You are pissing me off Microsoft.

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  4. Anonymous
    2017-12-02T19:41:52+00:00

    Hi Craig,

    The issue may be caused by an improper Windows Update installation. For example, a Windows Update installation interrupted by a crash may result in a corrupted system file. A third-party program conflict can also be the reason for this error.

    Let us narrow down the possibilities why your PC encountered this issue. You can follow the troubleshooting steps below:

    1. Temporarily disable your antivirus program before running the Windows Update.
    2. Visit the article on how to perform a clean boot in Windows. This helps eliminate software conflict that occurs when you install a program or an update. You may also determine what conflict is causing the issue by performing this method.
    3. Fix Windows Update errors. Since you are using Windows 10, you can do this by running the Windows Update Troubleshooter. To download the Windows Update Troubleshooter, click on this link.
    4. Restart your computer for the changes to take effect and try updating Windows again.

    Note: After doing the steps above, you can enable your antivirus program again.

    Keep us posted if you encounter any challenges along the process.

    I have the same issue but the error code is different. I have done all the steps you suggested but they still fail to install.

    I tried looking for the 2 updates in the Windows Update Catalog so i could manually install them but the 2 updates cant be found, both have the same error code, Error 0x8007007e after them as the reason they failed to install. i have run the windows update troubleshooter numerous times as well as the WUReset bat file, restarted windows from a clean boot and disabled my antivirus while manually trying to update but still cant get them to install. i am just wondering if there is a reason these 2 updates are not listed in the windows update catalog?

    update1 - Update for Windows 10 Version 1607 for x64-based Systems (KB4033631)

    update2 - Update for Windows 10 Version 1607 for x64-based Systems (KB4049411)

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