Can't Install Windows 10 Updates - Tried Everything - Please Help!

Thank you for your reply. 

I am grateful for your support. 

> Did you use the latest version media from Media Creation Tool?

The computer repair store (at which I am a fairly regular customer because of all the bugs and flaws with Windows) installed it, so I don't know where it was installed from. But they know what they are doing and have many years of expertise.

One shouldn't have to have a PhD in Computing Engineering and go through a 20 step process to find and install a functional version of Windows. 

I've spent a few hours trying the techniques you've suggested above.

They don't work.

I've tried many of them several times before (such as Microsoft's totally useless troubleshooting tool which is the biggest piece of garbage I've ever come across) and tried again. They didn't work.

I've also tried manually installing the latest version as per your step 8 and that didn't work.

Despite spending 20+ hours in the last few months trying to get Windows Update to work, whenever I try it, I am always presented with the following error message:

0x800703f1 

Please can someone suggest what can be done?

As stated above, I can't reinstall Windows yet again, as it would take me weeks more to reinstall and reconfigure all the programs I use.

Thanks a million. I'm grateful for your assistance.

Hey Admin. I I'm Greg, an Independent Advisor here to help until this is resolved

Did you use the latest version media from Media Creation Tool?

Compare the install you did with this gold standard Clean Install of Windows which will stay that way as long as you stick with the tools and methods given, has zero reported problems, and is better than any amount of money could buy: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

Note the driver steps are so important they are printed in red. You must also delete all partitions off the drive (with all other drives unplugged) or it is NOT clean. The quality of the install is all that matters in Windows 10, or you will have problems.

The reason I ask you to compare is because no one of millions who have followed the install in that link has ever come back to report problems that I have seen. It is also a great learning experience that will make you permanently the master of your PC because you will learn what works best and have applied it with your own hands.

I'll give you everything possible for fixing failed Windows Updates, so that at least something will work. Even if you've tried a step, please do it over in sequence. Report back any steps that cannot be performed and why:

Some Updates will sort themselves out in a few days so I'd wait to see. If not or they are bothering you then here are steps you can take:

1. Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter from Windows Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
2. There is a new guided walk-through from Microsoft for repairing Windows Update that leads up to resetting components if necessary: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/10164/.... Try running that first.
3. Type Services in Search box, run Services app as Administrator, open Windows Update Service and Background Intelligent Transfer Service and Stop both.

Press “Windows (flag) key + R,” copy and paste C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\ press the Enter button.

This folder has all the files related to Windows updates.

Open the “Download” folder, select and delete all the files.

Restart Windows Update and Background Intelligent Transfer services in Services app by opening both and choosing Start.

4. If that fails try manually resetting Windows Update Service with the commands here:

https://www.how2fixerror.com/manually-reset-win...

5. You can also install the Updates manually that fail to install, which are logged at Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Installed Update History, and then search for those to download and install from this Catalog: https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Search...
6. If they continue to fail and interfere, then you can block them using one of these methods: https://www.howtogeek.com/224471/how-to-prevent...
7. If problems with Updates have become chronic and especially if you have other performance problems, go over this checklist to make sure the install is set up correctly, optimized for best performance, and any needed repairs get done: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

Start with Step 4 to turn off Startup freeloaders which can conflict and cause issues, then Step 7 to check for infection the most thorough way, then step 10 to check for damaged System Files, and also Step 16 to test a new Local Admin account. Then continue with the other steps to go over your install most thoroughly.

8. If you have an older version or if nothing else works then while I am here to help you I would manually upgrade to the latest version by opening the Media Creation Tool from this link: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/m..., choose Download Tool Now, then open the tool and choose Upgrade This PC Now. This saves your files, apps and most settings in place, is the most stable method to change versions, brings your Updates current, resolves most problems.

If any problems report back the verbatim error and number, then continue with these steps for overcoming Version Upgrade problems: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and keep me posted. If you'll wait to rate whether my post helped you, I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

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