Windows 8.1 Update Error Code: 0x8007002

[JimmyC]

I am unable to get the Windows 8.1 update to install. The PC was originally a Win7 Pro desktop PC. Last summer (2013), I purchased the Win8 Pro upgrade at a local office supply store and it installed and worked fine. So did the subsequent online "upgrade" to Win 8.1 through the Windows store.

I installed all the pre-requisite patches and was finally offered the Win 8.1 update via the control panel Windows updates.

On my first attempt to install the Win 8.1 update, the error code was 0x80070057. I found the MS article on this code and used the dism.exe tool as instructed---but it reported no errors. However, the next try on installing the Win 8.1 update produced a different error code, this time the error code of 0x80070002.

Through googling, I have disabled MS Defender (i.e. the only anti-virus on the PC) and also saw solutions by individuals that claim to unplug all USB devices except the keyboard and mouse. I saw another post that another person's solution was to have only a single hard drive--so I opened the case and unplugged the 2nd back-up hard drive. None of these solutions have worked. Even with the USB devices all unplugged, with the second hard drive disconnected and MS defender disabled, I still receive the 0x80070002 error code after the process is 23%-25% completed.

As I understand it, I won't be able to secure any additional Windows 8 updates after August 2014 (i.e. this date was originally May--but I have seen several sites stating the deadline was deferred to August) if I do not get the Windows 8.1 update to install. My fallback position is terrible, as I would need to re-install the Windows 7 DVD that came with the original PC, then install the purchased Windows 8 Pro using the purchased DVD update, then go on-line to get the update to Windows 8.1 and then try the WIndows 8.1 update again. If all of this is successfull, then I would need to re-install of all my software purchased over the last 2 years. Even typing this process makes me upset.

Any one have a proposed solution to resolve the error code? Thx

[HansV]

Have you tried the Microsoft Fix-it from Windows Update error "0x80070002" or "0x80070003"?

[JimmyC]

Hans,
Thanks for the link...My apologes as I forgot to mention in my narrative that I had tried this "Mr. Fix-it"....It does run, and identifies that my last update failed (i.e. the Windows 8.1 update) but everything else is ok. It seems strange that "Mr. Fixit" knows the last update failed, but does not really seem to "fix-it" as I encounter the same error code after Mr. Fixit. JimC

[HansV]

I hope that one of our Windows experts will have a better idea.

[stuck]

'Issues' with Win 8.1 Update are well known. It seems the safest thing to do at the moment is to wait until MS sort it out.

Woody has a good rant about it here

Ken
PS All this joy is coming my way in about a weeks time when a Win 8 laptop is delivered to me but perhaps by then the 8.1 Update will install without pain.

[JimmyC]

Ken,
Thanks for the link...I guess I will wait on the side lines and hope someone comes up with a fix. Take care.
Jim

[JimmyC]

I also posted a request regarding my problem in the Windows Secrets Forum. Given some collective advice, I was able to resolve my issue. If anyone else has a similar problem, here is the link:

http://windowssecrets.com/forums/showth ... -0x8007002

Thanks. JimC

[HansV]

I'm glad you got good help there and finally got it resolved. Thanks for the link!

[stuck]

Having read your thread over at Windows Secrets I think I will leave the Win 8 laptop that arrives today at Win 8.0 and leave 8.1 for a while yet.

Thanks for the feedback.

Ken

[JoeP]

@stuck,

If you want Windows 8.1 you should probably do it with a new machine before you put all kinds of other software on it. Upgrades always go more smoothly when there is less other "junk" on a system. Just make a backup before you start. There should be a recovery partition available too. That should make for easy recovery should it be necessary.

Joe

[DaveA]

I have now worked on 3 different Windows 8 machines and had NO issues after upgrading to 8.1.

Besides a lot of the "problem" machines have been upgrade to Windows 8, not new machine with a OEM install of 8 on it.

[stuck]

...do it with a new machine before you put all kinds of other software on it..

...a lot of the "problem" machines have been upgrade to Windows 8, not new machine with a OEM install of 8 on it.

Thank you both. That's more encouraging. This laptop is a brand new 8.0 system. It's never even been booted yet as I've only just got it out of its box and I'm waiting for the battery to charge before I do anything - not that I'll be doing the first boot run with it on battery power I hasten to add.

My plan was to activate Windows and then install all the 8.0 updates I'm offered, rebooting as required until there are no more 8.0 updates to install. I was then going to apply the 8.1 update and again check for updates/ reboot as required until no more of them were on offer. Only then was I going to try installing the 8.1 update 1. I'll see how brve I'm feeling when I get to the end of the 8.0 updates.

Ken

[JoeP]

AFAIK, if you upgrade a Windows 8 system to Windows 8.1 using the Windows Store the Windows 8.1 Update is now included.

There will still be some patches after Windows 8.1 Update - Flash for IE 11 was just patched today to resolve the latest "let's everyone panic" alert.

Joe