Yes i would like to upgrade to Windows 10 (actually i already did when everything was working fine and then stepped back to Windows 8.1). Right now Windows update is not working and doesn't let me downolad Windows 10 or anything else. I have 3 errors in event viewer. Windows 8.1 Update and Windows RT 8.1 Update (also known as KB 2919355) include improvements that make your favorite apps and settings easier to find and use, provide more familiar mouse and keyboard options, and update security and performance. Here’s what you need to know about installing this important update.
Active2 months ago
I made a clean install of Windows 8.1 on a computer. I'm trying to check for updates. The update check takes very long and finally the Windows Update section tells me that no updates are available and that no check has ever been done.
Why does the update check fail? What can I do with it?
marmistrzmarmistrz26511 gold badge44 silver badges1414 bronze badges
5 Answers
Stop the Windows Update Service (via services.msc or in a cmd.exe which is started as admin via
net stop wuauserv
), download and install this update:Do a reboot and check again for new updates.
magicandre1981magicandre198184.6k2121 gold badges134134 silver badges211211 bronze badges
I had this exact same problem.
You need the new version of windows update. The problem is, the patch notes for the updates you need don't actually tell you that they update windows update.
You need KB3173424 first, then install KB3172614. You should disconnect your computer from the network and restart before installing these after downloading.
I don't actually know if disconnecting your computer from the network to prevent windows update launching in the backround is necessary, but it worked for me. Similarly, I don't know if the updates must be installed in that order, or even if you need both of them. I just know it finally made the update process work. Hurray.
Community♦
user683780user683780
I used this method and it worked.
- Run cmd as administrator.
Type the following commands:
net stop wuauserv
ren SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
net start wuauserv
I managed to finally install updates using the above method.
Greenonline1,63044 gold badges1111 silver badges2323 bronze badges
Alan TehAlan Teh
After a clean install of Win8.1 I had this problem.The method outlined by user683780 (manually d/l KB3173424 and KB3172614 etc) worked for me. Be sure to disconnect your computer from the internet before running these files, otherwise they will not install - your computer will look like it is installing the first one but in fact it is still trying to use the old version of windows update already installed. As well as being disconnected from the internet before running these updates I stopped the existing windows update service on my machine (press windows key and R key, type services.msc into the run box, locate the windows update service in the list (wuauserv) and stop it). My laptop is now busy installing 1.2GB of important updates! :) PS be sure to run the updates in the order given in the answer above.
Andrew McCannAndrew McCann
Thanks user683780.. The process you described helped me get Windows 8.1 updating again. The only additional step I had to make was to enter safe mode in order to rename the software distribution folder.
My steps were:
- turn off auto update,
- download KBs (save),
- restart computer in safe mode,
- Rename SoftwareDistribution folder,
- restart PC,
- run the two KBs,
- restart PC and;
- return updates to auto.
Check for updates showed 223 updates pending.
Greenonline1,63044 gold badges1111 silver badges2323 bronze badges
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protected by RamhoundJul 15 at 2:54
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There are any number of reasons why someone might want to download Windows 8, or maybe the newer Windows 8.1. Most obviously, if you don't have Windows 8, getting your hands on the operating system via a download is much easier than buying a boxed copy.
Windows 8.1 Not Downloading Updates
Even if you already have Windows 8 on a computer, most manufacturers don't include a copy, making a clean install of Windows 8 or 8.1 pretty much impossible. Plus, having a copy of Windows 8 makes some kinds of troubleshooting a lot easier.
Finally, maybe you just want to give it a try on a spare computer or on a virtual machine. You've seen the prices for Windows 8 and it isn't cheap. There are probably free copies of Windows 8 floating around somewhere, right?
Windows 10 is the most recent version of Windows available and can be upgraded to from a currently installed Windows 8 or Windows 7 OS. See Where Can I Download Windows 10? for help.
Where Can I Download Windows 8 or 8.1?
There are several ways to download Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 online, but of them are only a couple completely legal methods.
There is a Windows 8 trial option, as well as some not-so-legal methods of downloading Windows 8, all of which is discussed below.
If you do have a copy of Windows 8 or 8.1 (in ISO format or on a disc or flash drive) and also have that copy of Windows 8 installed and working but you've lost your product key, there may be a way to find it. See How to Find Your Windows 8 or 8.1 Product Key for help.
There are three, completely legal ways to download a full copy of Windows 8.1.
If you're new to Windows 8, purchasing Windows 8.1 (Windows 8 with the 8.1 update already included) is probably the smartest choice. Sometimes you can find a less expensive boxed copy of Windows 8 (before the 8.1 update) from general retailers like Amazon or from an electronics outlet like NewEgg, which you can then update to Windows 8.1 for free after installation.
![Windows 8.1 Windows Update Not Working Windows 8.1 Windows Update Not Working](/uploads/1/2/4/9/124916289/457976968.png)
Your second option, useful if you have experience working with ISO images, is to download Windows 8.1 directly from Microsoft. Please note, however, that unlike buying Windows 8 new, a Windows 8 download from Microsoft doesn't get you the product key you need to activate Windows.
- Visit Microsoft's Download Windows 8.1 Disc Image (ISO File) page.
- Pick the Windows 8.1 edition you want, and select Confirm.Unless there's a specific reason to pick another option, most people should select Windows 8.1.
- Choose the Windows 8.1 ISO download you want. There's both a 32-bit and 64-bit download option.
Your final option is to download Windows 8.1 or Windows 8 for 'free' as part of a paid Visual Studio subscription (previously called an MSDN subscription), which runs for several hundred dollars per year. You'll get a copy of Windows 8.1 in ISO format, ready for burning to a disc or transferring to a USB device.
This is a professional subscription program available for purchase by anyone, but designed for software developers. You get access to all full versions of Windows 8 & 8.1, including valid product keys, in addition to software and keys for almost every software and operating system Microsoft has ever created.
The Visual Studio subscription program is anything but cheap. Unless you're a software developer or some other professional IT person that needs access to multiple operating systems, a Visual Studio subscription probably isn't a cost effective way to legally download Windows 8.
If you already have a Windows 8 or 8.1 disc or ISO and are only trying to download Windows 8 because you need to install it on a computer without an optical drive, there is a way to get the files from the disc or ISO onto a flash drive. See How to Install Windows 8 or 8.1 From USB for a complete tutorial.
It's important to follow the disc or USB creation instructions linked above if you want to put your Windows 8 download on a DVD or flash drive. You can't boot to the Windows 8 media just by downloading the ISO directly onto the disc or drive. A very specific process, explained in those links, is what you need to follow to make the Windows 8 download bootable.
Any other free or incredibly inexpensive Windows 8 or 8.1 download you find online is almost certainly illegal, including Windows 8 ISO files you might find on torrent sites. Legal issues aside, these Windows 8 downloads, unlike the official ones from Microsoft, run the very serious risk of containing a surprise or two.
For example, a number of Windows 8 & 8.1 downloads available from unofficial sources are 'cracked' versions of Windows 8 installation discs, meaning that they've been changed for one reason or another and could easily contain malware. It would be very unfortunate to install Windows 8 on your computer and be automatically infected with a virus.
Please know that when you pay for Windows 8, what you're actually paying for is the product key used to activate Windows 8. In other words, even if you do download Windows 8 from someone other than Microsoft, whether it's a clean and legitimate copy of Windows 8 or not, you'll still need a valid Windows 8 product key to use the operating system.
Don't Download Windows 8: Replace It
A much better option for those of you with lost or broken, but valid, copies of Windows 8 or 8.1 is to order replacement media. In your case, there's no reason to pay full price for another copy of Windows 8 or risk being infected with malware.
If Windows 8 came preinstalled on your computer, and you did have DVD or flash media but now it's damaged or lost, contact your computer maker for a replacement. Depending on their policy, your computer maker might provide you with Windows 8 media for free or a small fee.
Windows 10 Update Not Working
If you purchased a retail Windows 8 DVD, you can contact the Microsoft Supplemental Parts team and request a replacement.
While not a replacement for Windows 8, please know that you also have the option to create a Recovery Drive for Windows 8 using a friend's Windows 8 PC, all for the cost of a small flash drive. Your Recovery Drive can be used to perform all the diagnostic and repair functions that a full copy of Windows 8 can. See How to Create a Windows 8 or 8.1 Recovery Drive for instructions.
![Update Update](/uploads/1/2/4/9/124916289/852938668.jpg)
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