Cumulative update won't install (KB4571756) (Error 0x800f081f)

Anonymous
2020-09-11T07:31:06+00:00

I am running Windows 10 Home 2004 (Build 19041.450). Windows Update notified me that there was a cumulative update available to install (2020-09 Cumulative Update for Windows 10 Version 2004 for x64-based Systems (KB4571756)). When I told it to install the update, it will download and go up to "Installing - 100%" and then just show this error: 

I've tried the following in an attempt to fix the error:

  • Run "sfc /scannow" in an elevated command prompt
  • Run "DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:<Source of clean Windows 10 2004 ISO created using Windows Media Creation Tool> /LimitAccess" in an elevated command prompt
  • Uninstall and reinstall NET framework 3.5 from "Turn Windows features on or off" in Control Panel
  • Manually download the specific update from the Microsoft Update Catalog and install it
  • Stop the Windows Update service and delete the Windows Update cache located in "%SystemRoot%\SoftwareDistrubution", then restart the service

Obviously, none of these worked so I'm looking for any other solutions to this problem. Any help is appreciated.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Windows update

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments No comments

217 answers

Sort by: Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2020-10-24T09:39:41+00:00

    I am afraid that anyone who has a pending CU failing to install ( hidden or otherwise )

    can wait till hell freezes over before the 20H2 Feature Update ( actual enablement ) will be offered.

    Every time I check for updates I get "Your device is missing important security and quality fixes" because I have hidden the always failing KB4579311.

    Please let us know if you were able to get to 20H2 without re-install or upgrade.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  2. Anonymous
    2020-10-24T11:38:04+00:00

    I couldn't be more disappointed in Microsoft for not publicly communicating about these issues. I'm retired and have been a loyal Customer spending millions of dollars with them over my career as a significantly successful small technology business owner. We all deserve better.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  3. Anonymous
    2020-10-29T08:56:03+00:00

    Greetings,

    Yesterday when checking windows update the 20H02 feature update became available.

    Crossed my fingers and started the update, but as I expected resulted in the same behavior as the previous CU's ending with Error 0x800f081f.

    No surprise here since this is not a typical feature update where Windows is upgraded as a new install but rather a CU where the new features previously downloaded are just enabled.

    So time for Media Creation Tool and to download 20H02 as ISO file.

    Clicking on the ISO file mounts it in explorer so you can run setup and chose an update keeping all apps and personal data.

    Thanks to good system specs the update took about 20 minutes , no problems encountered.

    Windows update is now running clean again and did not install anything additional after first boot of 20H02.

    I did a full cleanup to recover 47 Gb on my SSD held in the windows.old folder.

    The new windows 20H02 setup is about 3 Gb smaller than before upgrade, but the Windows boot time has doubled from 20 s to 40 s. Total boot time has thus increased from 40 s to 60 s. ( all measured from Bootracer ), this is from end of bios boot to windows desktop ready.

    I finally agree that in place upgrade is the only way to restore the windows update system to a stable state and move on from 2004 to 20H02 if you are stuck in the failing CU loop.

    Was this answer helpful?

    2 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments No comments
  4. Anonymous
    2020-10-29T10:02:31+00:00

    Greetings,

    Yesterday when checking windows update the 20H02 feature update became available.

    Crossed my fingers and started the update, but as I expected resulted in the same behavior as the previous CU's ending with Error 0x800f081f.

    No surprise here since this is not a typical feature update where Windows is upgraded as a new install but rather a CU where the new features previously downloaded are just enabled.

    So time for Media Creation Tool and to download 20H02 as ISO file.

    Clicking on the ISO file mounts it in explorer so you can run setup and chose an update keeping all apps and personal data.

    Thanks to good system specs the update took about 20 minutes , no problems encountered.

    Windows update is now running clean again and did not install anything additional after first boot of 20H02.

    I did a full cleanup to recover 47 Gb on my SSD held in the windows.old folder.

    The new windows 20H02 setup is about 3 Gb smaller than before upgrade, but the Windows boot time has doubled from 20 s to 40 s. Total boot time has thus increased from 40 s to 60 s. ( all measured from Bootracer ), this is from end of bios boot to windows desktop ready.

    I finally agree that in place upgrade is the only way to restore the windows update system to a stable state and move on from 2004 to 20H02 if you are stuck in the failing CU loop.

    I turned off my updates till MID Nov make sure my machine doesn't download it. I am no longer trusting MS updates for/till 1 month after release to make sure it works properly.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  5. Anonymous
    2020-11-14T08:35:42+00:00

    Thanks! Worked for me.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments