Windows 8.1 will not update on a Toshiba laptop

Windows 8.1 running on a 2014 Toshiba Satellite L50.

I check for updates and it can search all day and not find anything. It does not show any update error though.

Used Windows Update Trouble-shooter and downloaded and ran the Microsoft Update Readiness Tool. They both repair problems but cannot solve this problem.

Tried: Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and it completes successfully and states the Component Store corruption was repaired.

Tried: wsreset and it completes successfully.

Tried deleting contents of Software Distribution folder and renaming this folder.

Tried every command prompt that is recommended online for this problem but none solve the problem.

sfc /scannow finds no missing or corrupt files.

Made sure all relevant services are on for Windows Updates to work but if I try to stop the wuauserv in a command it always tells me that the service is already stopped. The same with other commands I have tried although in services.msc the Windows Update service is running.

Tried stopping Windows Update Service and BITS manually and restarting it and it does but that doesn't solve the problem either.

I can get into Safe Mode no trouble but I cannot get Safe Mode with Networking. Tried two different methods and neither works. Method 1. From Tools Menu and Method 2 from msconfig.exe ticking Safe and Networking under Boot tab.

Tried downloading updates manually from the Windows Store and tried installing KB3173424 x 64, Windows Standalone Installer and KB-3138615 x 64, but when it tries to install it searches for Windows Updates on this computer and never stops searching for hours on end.

Performed a Windows Refresh and it carried the same problems over with it. No windows updates in the folder after this.

Used the 3 x Toshiba DVD's to bring the laptop back to factory default state but still the same problem is there.

Found in Glary Utilities that Windows Update was shown as being disabled along with many other Windows Services. Enabled the ones I thought should be on, by reading the info on them but some of them were not needed. Used a tool from bleeping computers to reset services back to the default amount and values.

Used Windows Repair All In One, from tweaking.com, and ran it the first time from within Windows. The chckdsk part (stage 3) found an error: the MFT BITMAP attribute is incorrect. Ran chckdsk /r and it took nearly all night. No errors were found when this part of the scan was run the next day.

Would you recommend chkdsk /f would probably have been the better command to use?

Stage 4 of Repair. Sfc found no missing files.

The log file on the Windows Update section again found that Windows Update was already stopped and access denied for some actions although the permissions were all repaired in the first 3 parts of the repair.

Ran a second scan of the above in Safe Mode with much the same results but couldn't obtain Safe Mode with Networking as it asks for. The Networking is to install important missing files. Maybe run this scan in Clean Boot instead?

Ran a third scan in Safe Mode after deleting unneeded programmes and after re-installing Kapersky Internet Security2019 again and running it together with Malwarebytes and Adware Cleaner. No viruses, malware or even PUP.’s found.

All 3 scans of Windows Repair show a problem with Windows Update that it cannot repair.

I can supply you with the Windows Repair All in one logs for more information.

There are no Windows Updates now on this laptop although it used to have all of them.

I tried to update with a Clean Boot using msconf.exe before I even refreshed the laptop but that didn't work either. I have not been able to restore msconfig back to Normal Start-up since then and I thought Refreshing or Resetting the laptop would solve that problem but it hasn't.

I have got an ISO of Windows 8.1 but could download one. I extracted my product key with Belerc Advisor before refreshing and resetting to factory default. Would my OEM product key activate a new copy of Windows 8.1 if I have to go down that route?

 

I can't see how to upload the Repair Scan Log Files. I have a folder per scan.

Can anyone advise please?

 

Did you try this link?
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/623429/windows-update-not-working/

 

Thank you for the link retiredlearner. I haven't seen this one before.
I used the WuReset for 7 and 8 today and it completed successfully. Ran "Check for Windows Update" for about 4 hours after but nothing found. What was interesting was that it stopped Windows Update service for the first time. Usually it tells me that this service is already stopped.
I'll try the next stage on that link you provided.

 

Just tried to download the RestoreWindowsServices.bat from bleeping computers but they are denying me access as not a member. I'll search for it online.

 

https://mywindowshub.com/restore-default-services-in-windows-8-1/

Found a link, see above, for all of the default services in Windows 8.1 together with their default values. Might be a help to other members.

I'll check through mine. Can't find the RestoreWindowsSevices.bat file anywhere online?

 

Did you follow Post #6 advice about manually Downloading and installing the Updates in the order he suggested?

 

I have downloaded the updates suggested in that post you mention retiredlearner, switched off the wireless as suggested and am trying to install the first one. It is at the stage of "searching for updates on this computer" and seeing there are none you would expect it to be a lot faster. Or is it because there are no updates that these problems are made worse? It's been searching for updates on this computer for two hours so far. If it does install I will install the other two.

 

I have anomalies in my services which I found after comparing the default services from mywindowshub.com (see link above) to my list of services.

I have 4 missing default services for 8.1:
Application Management (ApptMgt)
BranchCache (PeerDistSvc)
Windows All-User Install Agent (AllUserInstallAgent)
Offline Files (CscService)

I have 3 Windows services on the other hand not mentioned in the default list:
Install Driver Table Manager
Smart Card Device Enumeration Service
Windows Location Framework

I had to change other services back to default values:
Home Group Listener Service from Auto to Manual
Home Group Provider Service from Auto to Manual Trigger
IKE & AuthIP IPSec Keying Modules from Auto to Manual Trigger
Net.Tcp Port Sharing Service from Auto to Disabled
Security Centre from Auto to Auto (delayed start)
Windows Search from Auto to Auto (delayed start)
WLAN Auto Config. from Auto to manual

Is the only way to get back missing services by using the "RestoreWindowsServices.bat" or are there other ways?

Tried installing NET Framework 4.5 but a dialogue box informed me that it was already part of my operating system.

 

Yes Arie but this would suggest a malware infection. I scan with Malwarebytes every day together with Adware Cleaner and Kapersky Internet Security 2019. Kapersky is continually running in the background too.

I ran all three Windows Updates manually, that were suggested in the bleeping computer post, with the internet off. Ran the first one for 4 hours and the other two, just in case they would install in the wrong order, for over 3 hours each. It just gets to the stage, searching for updates on this computer and would go on forever and find nothing.

Ran another sfc /scannow but it finds no violations of integrity.

Downloaded an ISO. of Windows 8.1 last night in case this is the only answer. I have backed up my drivers with Glary Utilities but if I reinstall 8.1 and install Glary again would my divers backup just restore from the saved file or is there something else to save within the Glary I am running at the moment?

I was looking at my saved Belerc Advisor file for the Product Key with Windows, which I found, and it also states that I am only running NET Framework 4.0 but when I try to install NET Framework 4.5 it tells me it is already in my operating system. There seem to be so much wrong that you would make you think I have a malware.

Is it normal that when you install from the 3 DVD's, made by Toshiba Media Creator, and when you install to factory default, some of the operating system you had before is carried over with it, together with its faults?

I am not experienced enough to know the answers to my questions.

 

Used ESET Online scanner last night and done a deep scan. All it found was the cCleaner exe. file and said it was a windows32.google toolbar malware or unwanted programme. I deleted it within ESET but I installed my cCleaner with that same file and considered it harmless.

 

Tried to install Application Manager from the mywindowshub.com link above by downloading the rar. file which contains the registry fixes for missing services in Windows 8.1.

Backed up the registry with Glary Utilities and then installed the reg. file for Application Manager and restarted the laptop. Application Manager appeared in my services list but it had an error 2 on it, whatever that is.I would say incompatible with Windows 8.1.
Tried to restore the registry with my backup but it was unrecognised.

Here is a tip for other members: if you back up your registry with Glary Utilities don't put a date on the end of the name of the file as I did. The file changes from a reg. file to a 2019. file. If there is no date on the end of it the file remains a reg. file and you can restore ok.

 

I had a look on mt wife's comp which is running W8.1 and the WU is working OK and there are actually 81 Optional updates available!
All Important updates are installed and the OS is operating 100% - so, if it ain't broke - I'm not touching anything.

 

I joined bleepingcomputers.com to try the RestoreServices.bat but it didn't work. Looking at the log after it was only meant for up to Windows7.

I decided to try the Windows Repair All in One again but this time using Clean Boot so that it had internet access to repair files. It failed part way through as Kapersky somehow slips by the Clean Boot and stops the access to the files that this Repair needed even though I had turned Kapersky off for 3 hours previous to this scan. Tried another scan but the same thing happened.
The third scan completed as I uninstalled Kapersky and Malwarebytes first but it could not fix Windows Updates. Studying the logs again I found that each time I ran the Windows Repair it could not find the pathway to the catroot2 folder and said it was missing. Found out this folder is essential to Windows Updates.

Why sfc hasn't found so much missing was a mystery to me. I decided there was too much corruption in my Win.8.1 so I deleted everything from the C Drive including partitions (took 3 hours) and then installed Windows from the Toshiba DVD's. These DVD's I had made when the laptop came out of the box in 2014.

Once completed the first thing I checked was the Services list and exactly the same 3 were missing. I decided that Toshiba edits the Services list and adds their own. Remember the Services I have that are not default (see above). I was surprised though that msconfig.exe was still stuck on Selective Startup as this laptop was now factory default.

Ran Windows Update check for a day and nothing found and tried installing updates manually the next day but they wouldn't install either.

Started going through the fixes again: Windows Troubleshooter for Win. Update, DISM Restore Health etc. etc. Nothing worked.

I have been reading posts from forums on fixing this problem every day since this problem occurred. Last night I came across another one but this time on the Microsoft Forum and this is the solution to this problem for those who cannot get Win. Updates going whatever you try:

1. Change the way Microsoft updates your computer to: never install updates and restart.

These updates following must be installed manually on Internet Explorer only. Without them installed Windows Update will not work.

April 2015 Servicing Stack for 8.1: KB3021910 x 64
July 2016 Servicing Stack for 8.1: KB3173424 x 64
July 2016 Update Rollup for 8.1: KB3172614 x 64

Restart

Run a manual check for updates. It should take no more than 15 minutes.

Switch auto updates back on.

For the first time a manual update installed on my laptop and so did the other two. Within 10 minutes for searching for updates it finished but with an error code: 8024000C. I clicked on the link for more info and found I had to install KB2919355, accumulative update to start receiving auto updates. This update is made up of 7 individual updates and they are as follows (note some have already been installed in the first 3 updates):
KB2937592 x 64 already installed.
KB2934018 x 64
KB2959977 x 64
KB2938439 x 64 already installed
KB2932046 x 64 already installed
KB2919355 x 64 already installed
clearcompressionflag.exe

Restarted and checked Windows Updates which stated that this computer is now ready for automatic updates.

All 139 updates now on this laptop.

Just like to add that I have been a windowsbbs member since around 2009 or 2010 and have had many posts on here. I logged in this time and found my account had been deactivated as I hadn't posted for over a year. Wrote to the Admin. to ask to have my account reactivated but no answer so far.

I have always liked windowsbbs and have always had all of my questions answered in my previous posts. I asked 7 questions above in my posts and not one person answered any of them. They are all simple questions to the experts on here.

retiredlearner when you said your wife's computer was working well I thought you were going to give me advice.

I realise the solution to this problem was not what the majority of people would know but it would have been nice if some of the questions had been answered or more people had commented.

 

Well I did actually. Even though there were Updates available (optional) no reason to try to install them as the comp is working OK.
Unfortunately, I have been a great advocate for Upgrading to the latest Windows OS and the reason I left my wife on W8.1 is because she has dementia.
The less confusion for sufferers the better.
I have my main comp on W10 Pro 64bit and a dedicated comp running W10 Insider and my HP Notebook running W10 Home 64bit.
Please be aware of Time Zones and that we have sometimes more pressing things to attend to.
I know you probably have your own personal reasons for using Kaspersky AV but that would have been my next suggestion to uninstall all 3rd. party software as it may have been confusing the W8.1 OS.

 

I mean no disrespect retiredlearner. Thank you for commenting on my posts. You and Arie (making one comment) were the only ones who did. It is nothing like the windowsbbs used to be when I posted previously.

I understand all about dementia retiredlearner: I had a very close relative with it. I do understand about the staff being volunteers and how we have different commitments and different time zones etc. I have been using forums for about 10 years.

What do you think of none of my questions being answered Arie? I don't mean the solving of the problem just the questions I asked in the posts above. I had to sort this problem out on my own.

I had been trying for a week, previously to this post, in trying repairs and fixes without any malware or antivirus installed. I only installed both before posting as It was obvious that somebody was going to blame it on a virus or malware.

I used avast free antivirus for years. Very impressed with it. I only tried Kapersky as it had such good reviews. I have been using it for 3 years now and it is very good indeed and we feel very safe online.

Are you able to check if you received my pm Arie to reactivate my old account? It said when I first logged in to ask if you would like to reactivate.

Would you like to use the fix in my post as a sticky? It is a definitive fix when you have no updates in an older computer (2014 in my case) running 8.1 I could probably find the link to it if you wish.

The main problem, once I had deleted everything off my hard drive and started from scratch, was that no updates were in my computer.

 

Thanks for your reply techyH.
I can confirm that using the manufacturers discs will leave you without updates. I had to do that about 4 years ago for my brothers Toshiba running W 7 and it took some time to get all the updates downloaded and installed.
We did it at my house as I have fibre-optic Broadband which sped up the process.
Uninstalling any 3rd party software has been the answer to many a users hassles when Windows wont work properly.
You can always reinstall after the comp is back to normal. MSE and Defender have very high consistency for looking after Windows OS.
Who better to look after there own product.