Windows Update error 800F081F - a tough one!


  1. johnyzero
    Posts : 7
    Win7 Professional
       New #1

    Windows Update error 800F081F - a tough one!


    I'm working on a Windows 7 machine that just won't run Windows Update. I've fixed lots of Windows Update problems before, but this one's got me stumped.

    Here's the chronology:

    1) If I try to run Windows Update, I get this result:



    2) I choose "Check For Updates", and I get this result:



    3) I choose "Install Now", Windows Update closes momentarily and then re-opens with this error message:




    I've tried running the Windows Update Troubleshooter (WindowsUpdateDiagnostic.diagcab) numerous times, and it doesn't fix it. I get this result:




    Curiously, if I choose "View Detailed Information", it says that it DID fix the 800f081f issue (which, of course, it hasn't):



    Some additional info:

    I've run the System Update Readiness Tool (KB947821) numerous times. CheckSUR.log indicates that no errors were found. All my logs are located in a .zip file here:

    http://www.frontiernet.net/~johnnyzero/WU_hell/CBS.zip

    Also, I've run SFC /scannow (no integrity errors found), and I've also run chkdsk /f on my hard drive.


    Any help with this nightmare will be MUCH appreciated.
    Last edited by johnyzero; 20 May 2015 at 22:03.
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  3. NoelDP
    Posts : 21,482
    Win 7 x64 Home Premium (and x86 VirtualBox VM)/Win10
       New #2

    Unfortunately, the only known cure for your problem (an aborted install of the Windows Update Agent) is a Repair Install of the OS - I've never found a way to back out of this type of failure

    Have a look here, and see if the option is available to you... Repair Install
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  4. johnyzero
    Posts : 7
    Win7 Professional
    Thread Starter
       New #3

    Thanks for the reply. I'm usually reluctant to perform a Repair Install, since it can create other problems - and you have to then go back and apply a gazillion Windows Updates to bring the system back "up-to-date".

    I performed a Repair Install as per your suggestion, and it did indeed repair Windows Update.

    Everything saeems to work ok, with one big exception: the computer now takes 3-4 minutes to boot up when trying to connect to my client's Windows Server 2008 R2 (domain-based) network. After much research, I'm gonna try applying the MS Hotfix rollup described here:

    Slow Boot Slow Login (SBSL) Hotfix Rollup for Windows 7 and Server 2008 R2 Available Today! - Ask Premier Field Engineering (PFE) Platforms - Site Home - TechNet Blogs

    I'm guessing that the hotfix had previously been installed, but it got nuked (rolled back) when I did the Repair Install.

    I'll report back the results here.
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  6. NoelDP
    Posts : 21,482
    Win 7 x64 Home Premium (and x86 VirtualBox VM)/Win10
       New #4

    That rollup was released in 2013 - I'm not certain it's still necessary (or even possible). I don't think trying it would hurt anything though.

    Make sure that you follow it with the necessary patches afterwards (if they aren't already installed!)
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  7. johnyzero
    Posts : 7
    Win7 Professional
    Thread Starter
       New #5

    NoelDP said:
    That rollup was released in 2013 - I'm not certain it's still necessary (or even possible). I don't think trying it would hurt anything though.
    Yes, I'm wondering the same thing. I can't imagine that Microsoft wouldn't have since released such a seemingly critical rollup (or its equivalent) via Windows Update.

    However, the KB article doesn't mention that it's been superceded or anything like that. And the "Last Review" date is August 13, 2014.

    NoelDP said:
    Make sure that you follow it with the necessary patches afterwards (if they aren't already installed!)
    Yes, I noticed that and I'll certainly apply the other 3 patches afterwards.

    I'll post my results here. Here goes nothin...
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  8. johnyzero
    Posts : 7
    Win7 Professional
    Thread Starter
       New #6

    Update: I applied the SBSL rollup (and the other patches) and the boot time went from about 4 minutes down to about 1:20. A big improvement, and probably acceptable for this particular machine. My client usually boots it up when he comes into the office in the morning, and leaves it on all day. Still, 1:20 is an awfully long time to be staring at the Welcome screen... but certainly better than 4 minutes.

    (btw, I'm defining "boot time" as the elapsed time from when I enter the Windows password until the Desktop appears.)

    I've read that it's best to apply this rollup to both the client machine AND the Windows 2008 R2 Server. I was reluctant to try that, since I'm not very Windows Server-savvy and didn't want to break anything. If I feel brave, maybe I'll try that and see if it makes a difference.
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  10. NoelDP
    Posts : 21,482
    Win 7 x64 Home Premium (and x86 VirtualBox VM)/Win10
       New #7

    I can understand your caution - screwing up one machine is bad enough, but screwing up 20-100 peoples server doesn't bear thinking about! Luckily I've never had that problem since I'm usually pretty restricted to the end-user 'market'.

    Good luck!
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