Windows 8.1 update issues.

n3cw4rr10r

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When I update from Windows 8 pro to Windows 8.1 pro, it goes through the whole damn thing and then goes to a blank screen, restarts and says update failed. Restarts a few more times and then restores me back to Windows 8 pro. Any suggestions how to get past this?
 
Solution
None of the solutions worked. However I did get it to update to 8.1. Here is what I did:

1.) Updated Windows 8 will ALL updates (minus bing crap).
2.) Updated AMD drivers to 14.4
3.) Uninstalled all the AsRock programs like XFast Ram, XFast Lan, Xfast USB & VirtuMvp. (They were all disabled but I uninstalled them anyway).

Voila Windows 8.1 .

Can only suggest you make sure W8 is in good condition before updating. Try some Windows Diagnostics...
First try System File Checker
Winkey plus 'X'
Choose Command Prompt (Admin)
Type sfc /scannow then Enter

It finds and fixes errors in Windows, but doesn't always report them. Run it and see if the fault disappears after re-booting your system
If corrupt files are found that can’t be fixed, try

Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth (Observe spaces before /)

Re-run SFC

To view CBS Log

findstr /c:"[SR]" %windir%\logs\cbs\cbs.log >sfcdetails.txt

Search C drive for sfcdetails.txt or navigate to C:\Windows\System32 and scroll down.
 
I've had Windows Update fail numerous times on my Windows 8 PC with 3rd-party virus protection software active. I uninstalled the 3rd-party virus protection software, turned on Windows Defender (Yes, there is built-in virus protection software in Windows 8) and now all of my updates function as expected. I've since run Windows Defender and have had no problem with updates.

Are you using virus protection other than Windows Defender? If so, turn it off and turn on Windows Defender before trying the update again.
 
This might be a bit drastic, but when I updated from 8 pro to 8.1 pro, I had to reinstall windows to extend the system reserved partition.

I read some where though, if you assign it a drive letter, and show hidden files, and then erase all the language files except for the us_en, that would free up enough to let it update. If you go this route though, don't forget to remove the drive letter, for the partition, then update.
 
If you indeed only have 100Mb System reserved as buzzrattie suggests you can expand it using EaseUs Partition Manager. Download the Free version
http://www.easeus.com/download.htm
Go to the Main Page and check to see where your System Reserved Partition is on your disk. On mine it is physically to the left of 'C', so I would have to reduce 'C' from the left to create Unallocated Space to expand System into.
That's it squashed into the disk next to 'C' with the 4 dots
57IUwOr.png

To shrink 'C' click the drive and choose 'Resize' then move the slider on the left of the drive to create Unallocated Space next to the System partition.
Trick is to move the slider a squeak to the right initially to make sure the shrinking takes place the right end, then manually enter the correct number of Mbs into the box as it's almost impossible to move the slide by such a small amount
JQYFuNz.png

Once done click OK
Repeat for the System Reserved Partition, only this time expand the partition into the Unallocated Space. I suggest you expand it up to 400Mb (Mine has only 50Mb free space already) thus requiring 300Mb Unallocated..
When you're happy, click the blue 'Apply' Tick top left, expect a reboot as you're adjusting 'C'
 
None of the solutions worked. However I did get it to update to 8.1. Here is what I did:

1.) Updated Windows 8 will ALL updates (minus bing crap).
2.) Updated AMD drivers to 14.4
3.) Uninstalled all the AsRock programs like XFast Ram, XFast Lan, Xfast USB & VirtuMvp. (They were all disabled but I uninstalled them anyway).

Voila Windows 8.1 .
 
Solution