Fresh Windows install wont run updates

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martyyn

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#213997 23-Apr-2017 09:51

I've had this happen before a few years ago but I cant remember exactly how I fixed it :(

A fresh Windows 8.1 install (don't ask !) and it wont run Windows Update at all. Sits there for a while and eventually returns an error around a wincatalog or something. I should have written it down.

IIRC the fix was a Windows Update Agent/Client rollup or something, and possibly only the March 2016 version worked, but I've tried that and after running overnight it fails with a non-descriptive error.

Google turns up a million options, most of which are just garbage.

I've restarted the BITS and WU services, rebooted, tried the Windows Agent rollup for 8.1 but nothing works so far.

Anyone else seen this before or have any ideas ?

solutionz

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#1769149 23-Apr-2017 10:09

Try disabling the Windows update service and update using this: http://download.wsusoffline.net

FYI you know Windows 10 can now be activated using Windows 7 / 8 keys...

Dratsab

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#1769150 23-Apr-2017 10:10

Have you tried using DISM.exe to ensure all your system files are as they should be?

From an administrator command prompt: dism.exe /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth

Also try running the windows update troubleshooter. If you have a corrupt Windows Update Database, which can prevent updates from installing, the troubleshooter may be able to fix this automatically.

martyyn

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#1769154 23-Apr-2017 10:26

solutionz: FYI you know Windows 10 can now be activated using Windows 7 / 8 keys...

I do yes, but they want it 'exactly as it was before without that rubbish update'. Thanks for the offline link too.

Dratsab:

Have you tried using DISM.exe to ensure all your system files are as they should be?

From an administrator command prompt: dism.exe /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth

Also try running the windows update troubleshooter. If you have a corrupt Windows Update Database, which can prevent updates from installing, the troubleshooter may be able to fix this automatically.

Not DSIM no, but I rebooted to start again. Ran the troubleshooter (I'd done it previously) and it again said it had fixed WU. I tried running WU but it again errored so went to reboot again to try DSIM and found it now saying 'Update and Restart'.

Clicked on that and it's now churning through 196 updates.

gzt

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#1769165 23-Apr-2017 11:03

Similar things occur when an update to the windows servicing stack are required. Ie; an update is required for windows update itself. Has to be downloaded manually.

solutionz

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#1769185 23-Apr-2017 12:27

martyyn:

solutionz: FYI you know Windows 10 can now be activated using Windows 7 / 8 keys...

I do yes, but they want it 'exactly as it was before without that rubbish update'. Thanks for the offline link too.

I can understand that; personally I would go with Windows 7 over Windows 8.

Also have a look at Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB.

robjg63

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#1769260 23-Apr-2017 15:55

Wsusoffline is brilliant. A fresh windows 7 install is pretty much impossible to get updates working.
The original updater seems unable to update itself so you are stuck.
The wsusoffline tool has worked like a charm the several times I have tried it.

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler