Windows 7: SP1 fails to install - code 80004005

Hi everyone. I recently built the computer that I am on and installed Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit in December.



Everything's been working great and no updates have had issues installing until SP1 came out today. It fails every time with error code 80004005, unknown error. I am fairly certain that it is due to the Windows Mail hack, but any attempt to restore the files back to the original versions (I've tried copying them from another machine and sfc /scannow) have not resolved the issue.

On another note, I've read that the same error came up when people did service pack installs for Vista. I have attempted many of the "best practice" fixes for these cases - disabling services, antivirus, startup entries, etc., but this has not resolved the issue, either.

Any advice/suggestions would be great. Thank you in advance!

Try these ...:

"Microsoft’s advice is to have users try again, after they either run a troubleshooter or the System Update Readiness Tool , or after disabling any security programs installed on the machine."

System Update Readiness Tool

Thank you for the reply.

Unfortunately, I've already tried running the System Update Readiness Tool as well. I failed to mention that in my post, sorry! I will try it again though. As for trying the service pack install again, I have tried it multiple times, both through Windows Update and the full installation package downloaded from microsoft.com.

I tried running the System Update Readiness Tool, rebooting, and installing SP1 again from the full update package, and it failed again with the same error. Any other ideas?

Anyone have any advice?

I also found out late last night that my wife's PC is doing the same thing. She also has the Windows Mail hack. I'm really thinking this is the cause, I just don't know how to reverse it. Restoring the files from a PC that does not have the hack and running sfc /scannow does not resolve the issue.

Hi, chaoticyeshua.

Did a Norton or McAfee free-trial come preinstalled on the computers when purchased? It has frequently been found that their remnants cause problems with updates.

If so, please do the following:

For McAfee: follow the removal instructions here: How to uninstall or reinstall supported McAfee consumer products using the McAfee Consumer Products Removal tool (MCPR.exe)
For Norton: follow the removal instructions here: Download and run the Norton Removal Tool to remove your Norton 2006 product or later version | Norton Support

Next, restart the computer and run the Microsoft Fix it 50202 to reset the Windows Update Components in both DEFAULT and AGGRESSIVE modes. How do I reset Windows Update components?

Shutdown/restart the computer and check Windows Update. First install any Important updates that may be offered and restart the computer. Check again for Service Pack 1.

Note: if you are using a laptop, be sure it is connected to an electric outlet.

Thanks for your response.

I recently built both this computer and my wife's myself. Thus, the only antivirus we have had installed is Microsoft Security Essentials.

I ran the Microsoft Fix It 50202 in both the default and agressive modes and attempted to install SP1 again. Same error. I am 90% sure this is related to the hack to allow the use of Windows Mail, as detailed in this thread:

Windows Mail

There are no fixes listed on that thread, however, other than formatting and reinstalling Windows. Surely there's another way...

Hi, chaoticyeshua.

From what I have seen, Error Code 80004005 can be caused by a variety of things because it is a generic error code typically associated with "AHH WHAT HAPPENED?" It can be (and is typically) due to other applications behaving poorly. However, I doubt you are the only one who has run the tutorial for Windows Mail, particularly seeing that the topic is 94 pages long.

Although this relates to Windows Vista SP 2, see if it works to solve your problem with Windows 7: Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 service pack installation fails with error 0x80004005

I'm not going to post what the alternative is if this doesn't work.

Here is my tale of woe :
Have had two failed attempts to install the SP1 update. Both times I get the [COLOR=#0072BC ! important][COLOR=#0072BC ! important]error [COLOR=#0072BC ! important]message[/COLOR][/COLOR][/COLOR] E_FAIL (0X80004005). This error occurs after the install and on the subsequent re-boot. When the computer has nearly re-booted this message appears "Failure converting Service Pack. Reverting Changes.". The re-boot hangs for nearly half an hour before showing my [COLOR=#0072BC ! important][COLOR=#0072BC ! important]desktop[/COLOR][/COLOR] with the error message shown above.

I must have spent three hours on this today and don't know what to next.

Please note I do not run Windows Mail so that might be a 'red-herring'

Hi, rfnm482.

Have you tried the suggestions in Troubleshoot problems installing a service pack for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2? Also note my suggestion to the original poster, to work around this issue, turn off the computer and physically unplug all drives that are not required for starting Windows. Power up the computer and restart the service pack installation.