Windows 10 KB4033631 and KB4049411 both fail with Error 0x8000ffff

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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

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Anonymous

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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125 additional answers

Anonymous

2018-02-21T21:44:59+00:00
I was able to successfully upgrade from 1607 to 1709 and finally get out of the annoying failed update loop. This solution does NOT require formatting your hard drive, no need for backing up files, no need for re-installing apps, NO need for creating some backup media with a USB drive, nothing. I've found an easier way for the non-technical user:

Visit the website below to download MediaCreationTool.exe

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

Run it. It will "Get a few things ready" for a while. Accept the terms of service, then just wait and be pateint

Then there will be 2 options: "Upgrade this PC now" (first option), and "Create Installation media". Choose "Upgrade this PC now".

Let Windows 10 download; this download will take a while but it will be the full, latest 1709 version (bypassing the automated updater). Just confirm any prompts that come up and if given the option, "Choose to keep files and keep apps". Don't pick anything that will re-install anything from scratch.

The computer will then restart a few times, then it will be successfully installed to the latest version, and you will no longer be caught in an update loop.

You know you did it right, because when it restarts to "install updates", the screen looks different from how it normally did. Overall, took about 1-2 hours with very little intervention from myself. All files in-tact, no software to re-install, and now I can restart the computer and it doesn't try to apply any darn updates.

So works... for now...
Win 10 Pro version 1607 build 14393.351 .. after spending 2 full days trying to upgrade my win 10 version, this did not work for me either .. i turned everything off ( my normal start up programs), tried with antivirus both enabled and disabled, installation still failed every time .. i have deferred updates box checked and my version has never tried to install version 1703 according the update history for the past 3 months now .. what i dont understand is there are several builds after mine, why is the software not trying to install a newer build of 1607? i am wondering if there is something the 14393.351 build is missing that could be in a newer build of 1607 that is needed for the updates to finally succeed but so far even with deferred updates box checked my version/build has not updated in almost a year
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Anonymous

2018-02-21T18:33:56+00:00

I did a full reinstall and formatted my C:\ drive, now I have 1709 build 16299.125. On my Windows 10 Education I had no "deferred update" option and the creation tool did not work. It didn't even work to try and upgrade by using a USB memory with 1709 on. I also tried to clear the update history and restart the update service but to no avail. The only solution for me was to format the drive and reinstall Windows. To those who are still struggling with this I wish you good luck.
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Anonymous

2018-02-21T18:11:31+00:00

I’m curious - do you have AVG or another anti-virus installed? Before applying the update using the method I described, I set AVG to be “disabled permanently”

yes I do Norton
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Anonymous

2018-02-20T19:06:19+00:00

Hi Marius,

Sorry to hear that you are still unable to update. As I said before after going through everything I felt capable of trying I paid out for a professional to remove 1607 and install 1709 - cost me $100 ( which I think Microsoft owe to each of us !!! ) for the time and research we are doing for their benefit!!

Anyway I do wish you success in the future - keep the faith!!

Best Wishes,

Barry
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