After installing Windows 8.1 update, computer will no longer boot, will stuck on Working on Features 100% screen

Question

Original Title: Working on Features 100% FOREVER

The latest Windows 8.1 update corrupted my new laptop's OS so it could no longer boot.

I booted it up this morning and it did the usual "Working on Features ...%" thing it does after an automatic update. It got to 100% after a few seconds, then sat there for an hour. I gave up and held the power button until it turned off, then rebooted. It came right back to "Working on Features 100%" again. I rebooted while holding shift and spamming F8 repeatedly until I got into Recovery mode. I rebooted into Safe Mode but still got "Working on Features 100%". Then I tried restoring to a restore point made yesterday - same thing.

I went back four days, then found a restore point that worked. Unfortunately I lost a bunch of work and installed programs.

I have turned off windows update.

I ran the DISM tool as per this thread. It took a LONG time, but didn't seem to find anything to fix:

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Scanhealth  -> No component store corruption detected

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth  -> The component store corruption was repaired

Any other advice?

Answer 1

It's a new Razer 14" 2014 model. It doesn't have a DVD drive so I'd have to make a USB disk. If I use these instructions to create one:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/create-reset-refresh-media

how do I know that the resulting usb image won't have the same bugs that my current system does?

Also, I haven't done much since I unpacked it except install updates and run the repair utilities you suggested. What if the problem shipped with my computer?

Answer 2

Hi Sarah,

What is the make and model of your computer?

You will require Windows 8 installation disc to perform refresh of Windows.

As you require windows 8 installation disc, I would suggest you to contact your computer manufacturer to obtain the disc to perform refresh. You can also create Windows 8 installation media to do the same.  Refer the following link.

How to create installation media for a PC refresh or reset:

**http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/create-reset-refresh-media**

Note: Obtain the product key from your manufacturer.

Then perform system refresh by following the steps from the link.

How to restore, refresh, or reset your PC:

**http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/restore-refresh-reset-pc**

Disclaimer: The apps that came with your PC or you installed from Windows Store will be reinstalled, but any apps you installed from other websites and DVDs will be removed. You'll find a list of the removed apps on your desktop after refreshing your PC.

Please reply us on the status of the issue to assist you further.

Answer 3

Disaster again. I closed my laptop last night, which should have triggered a sleep (I have default power settings, this is a new computer). This morning when I opened it it was hot to the touch as if it had been running all night, and the screen was illuminated but black.

I held down the power button for 4 seconds, rebooted. Up comes my old nemesis "Working on Features 100%". It sits there for 10 minutes. I reboot. Same thing.

I restore to the restore point I made before these three updates (note I did reboot yesterday after installing them):

KB2954879

KB2950153

KB2958262

And it works again. But once again windows restored and nuked all my personal work files so I lost another 6 hours of work. 

So, what the heck - is this just some intermittent corrupt system bug that has nothing to do with windows update? Or is one of those three updates a ticking time bomb? Is the "Working on Features 100%" just code for "Something is corrupt in a system file somewhere"?

Answer 4

Thanks! I already have KB2919442 and KB2919355 installed, and do not have any 3rd party security software. My computer is a new Razer blade 2014. I ran your steps:

Windows update troubleshooter:

Potential windows update database error detected 0x80070490

Window update components must be repaired

SFC:

Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them

Log file lists a bunch of stuff about ownership

Next I made a restore point (why didn't Windows 8 do this automatically the last time I updated?) and successfully installed the following important updates through regular windows:

KB2939153

KB2956575

KB2965065

Then after a reboot:

KB2954879

KB2950153

KB2958262

It may have been one of these updates that failed earlier.

Answer 5

Hi Sarah,

This issue could occur due to system files corruptions.

It’s unfortunate that you had to lose some programs after performing system restore. We appreciate your efforts in order to fix this issue.

• Have you installed any third party security software on your computer?

Remove all the devices connected externally to your computer except mouse and keyboard and check.

Also, make sure you install KB number 2919442 as it is necessary prerequisite for installing the Windows 8.1 Update 1. Please refer to the following link to install KB2919442 prior to installing Windows 8.1 Update 1.

For 32 bit - **Update for Windows 8.1 (KB2919442)**

For 64 bit - **Update for Windows 8.1 for x64-based Systems (KB2919442)**

Once you install the prerequisite update, I would suggest you to try to install Windows 8.1 Update 1(KB2919355) and check.

Method 1: Run Windows update troubleshooter which will automatically fix some common problems with Windows Update. Follow the steps:

a. Press Windows key + W on the keyboard.

b. Type troubleshooting in the search tab and press Enter.

c. Click View all on left panel**.**

d. Click Windows Update, new window will popup.

e. Follow the on screen instructions.

Method 2:

Let us try to run System File Checker (SFC Scan) as this could be an issue with corrupt system files.

System File Checker is a utility in Microsoft Windows that allows users to scan for and restore corruptions in Windows system files

Perform System File Check (SFC), and then check if this fixes the issue.

Follow the steps:

1. Press Windows Key + X.
2. Click on Command prompt (Admin).
3. In Command prompt, type ‘sfc /scannow’ without quotes and hitenter.

Note: It may ask for windows installation DVD to fix and to enable SFC to make more than minor repairs. Some files saved on your computer might get deleted when fixing corrupted files.

Also see: **http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929833**

Method 3: Please follow the steps:

Step 1: If you have installed any third party security software, I would suggest you to temporarily disable them.

Note: Antivirus software can help protect your computer against viruses and other security threats. In most cases, you shouldn't disable your antivirus software. If you have to temporarily disable it to install other software, you should re-enable it as soon as you're done. If you're connected to the Internet or a network while your antivirus software is disabled, your computer is vulnerable to attacks.

Step 2: I would suggest you to manually install Windows 8.1 Update 1(KB2919355) in clean boot and check. A clean boot helps eliminate software conflicts**.**Here is the link for your reference to perform clean boot. Refer to the following article:

**http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135**

Note: Please go through the section: How to reset the computer to start as usual after troubleshooting with clean boot of the KB article to boot the computer in normal startup after fixing the issue.

Step 3: To manually install Windows 8.1 Update 1(KB2919355), refer to the following link:

For 32 bit - **Windows 8.1 Update (KB2919355)**

For 64 bit - **Windows 8.1 Update for x64-based Systems (KB2919355)**

Please reply us on the status of the issue to assist you further.