Symptoms
When you try to install Windows updates, you get the following error:
Failure configuring Windows updates. Reverting changes. Do not turn off your computer. Note If this issue occurs, it may take about 30 minutes to revert the changes, and then the system will show the Windows logon screen.
Resolution
To resolve this issue, use the following methods starting with the first method below. If that doesn't resolve your issue, click next method.
Method 1: Restart Windows and install Windows updates in a clean boot state
To perform a clean boot in Windows, see how to perform a clean boot to troubleshoot a problem in Windows 8, Windows 7, or Windows Vista. And then, install Windows Updates according to your operating system.
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Open Windows Update by swiping in from the right edge of the screen (or, if you're using a mouse, by pointing to the lower-right corner of the screen and moving the mouse pointer up), then selecting Settings > Change PC settings.
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Select Update and recovery > Windows Update.
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Try to install Windows Updates again.
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Select the Start button. In the search box, enter Update, and then, in the list of results, select Windows Update.
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Try to install Windows Updates again.
Note Installing Windows updates in a clean boot state will avoid the Windows updates installation being blocked by some other applications and services that are installed in Windows.
Method 2: Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter
Download the Windows Update Troubleshooter, and then select Open or Save in the pop-up window. And then, select Next and follow the steps in the wizard to find and fix problems with Windows Update .
If you don't have an Internet connection in Windows 8, you can open the Windows Update troubleshooter that's included in Windows 8. However, that troubleshooter does not perform all the troubleshooting steps that the linked troubleshooter above does.
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Open the Windows Update troubleshooter by swiping in from the right edge of the screen, tapping Search (or if you're using a mouse, pointing to the upper-right corner of the screen, moving the mouse pointer down, and then clicking Search).
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Type Troubleshooting, tap or click on Settings, and then tap or click Troubleshooting.
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Under System and Security, tap or click Fix Problems with Windows Update, and then select Next.
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Download the Windows Update Troubleshooter, and then select Open or Save in the pop-up window.
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Select Next and follow the steps in the wizard to find and fix problems with Windows Update.
Method 3: Unplug your removable media from the computer
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Check if any removable media is not removed from the computer, such as removable disks (Blu-ray disks, DVDs, CDs), memory cards (CompactFlash card, Secure Digital card, Memory Stick), and USB flash drives.
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Unplug all the removable media.
Note These removable media may cause this issue during the restart of Windows.
Method 4: Perform a system restore When you start your computer by using the Windows installation disc, you can perform system recovery options on startup. To do this, follow these steps:
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Insert the Windows 8 installation disc in the drive, and then restart the computer.
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When you are prompted to start from the disc, press any key.
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Tap or click Repair your computer.
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Tap or click Troubleshoot, and then tap or click Advanced options.
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Tap or click your version of Windows 8, tap or click System Restore, tap or click the restore point you want, and then tap or click Next.
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Follow the onscreen instructions to perform the System Restore, and when prompted, restart your computer.
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Insert the Windows Vista or Windows 7 installation disc in the drive, and then restart the computer.
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When you are prompted to start from the disc, press any key.
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When you are prompted, configure the Language to install, Time and currency format, and Keyboard or input method options that you want, and then select Next.
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Select Repair your computer.
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On the System Recovery Options page, click the version of the Windows operating system that you want to repair, and then select Next.
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On the System Recovery Options page, select System Restore.
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On the System Restore page, select Next.
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Select a restore point at which you know that the operating system was working, and then select Next. The restore point should be a date before the first time that you experienced the error. To select a date, use the Choose a different restore point option, and then select Next.
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If you are prompted to specify which disk to restore, select the hard disk, and then select Next.
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On the Confirm your restore point page, select Finish.
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When the restoration process is complete, select Restart.
Note You must be logged on to Windows with an administrator account to complete this method. If this is a computer that is part of a network at work, you should ask the system administrator for help. For information about how to log into Windows as an administrator, click one of the following links, depending on the version of Windows that you're running:
How to log into Windows as an administrator in Windows 8
How to log into Windows as an administrator in Windows 7 or Windows Vista
Note If your computer is not configured to start from a CD or from a DVD, or if Windows came preinstalled on your computer without the CDs or DVDs, see the documentation that was included with the computer for instruction about how to continue, or skip to the next method.
Method 5: Perform an in-place upgrade (reinstallation) (Windows 7 and Windows Vista)
Performing an in-place upgrade will restore the current Windows installation to the version of the installation DVD. This also requires the installation of all updates that are not included on the installation DVD. If your computer came with Windows pre-installed, review your computer's documentation for instructions on how to do an in-place upgrade. Otherwise, follow these steps.
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Insert the Windows Vista or Windows 7 DVD in the computer's DVD drive.
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In the Setup window, select Install Now.
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Note If Windows does not automatically detect the DVD, follow these steps:
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Select Start, and then type Drive:\setup.exe in the Start Search box. Note The Drive placeholder is the drive letter of the computer's DVD drive, usually D:\.
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In the Programs list, select Setup.exe.
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In the Setup window, select Install Now.
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Select Go online to obtain the latest updates for installation (recommended).
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Type the CD key if you are prompted to do this.
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Select the operating system in the Install Windows page you want to upgrade.
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Select Yes to accept the Microsoft Software License Terms.
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On the Which type of installation do you want? screen, select Upgrade.
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When the installation is complete, restart your computer.
Note We strongly recommend that you back up all your personal files. For information, see how to back up your files.
More Information
If these methods did not fix the issue, you can use the Microsoft Customer Support Services Web site to find other solutions to your problem. Some services that the Microsoft Customer Support Services Web sites provide include the following:
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Searchable Knowledge Base: Search technical support information and self-help tools for Microsoft products.
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Solution Centers: View product-specific frequently asked questions and support highlights.
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Other Support Options: Use the Web to ask a question, contact Microsoft Customer Support Services, or provide feedback.
If you continue to have problems, you might want to contact Microsoft Support.How to restore or repair your Windows installationRepair and recovery for WindowsStartup Repair for Windows 7Startup Repair for Windows VistaNote These sites include options to use when the manufacturer has installed the System Recovery options on the computer.How to avoid this problem in Windows Vista
To avoid this problem in Windows Vista, obtain and install update 937287 from the Microsoft Download Center separately from all other updates on the Windows Update site. Install the update that applies to your version of Windows Vista so that you can successfully install future updates. The following files are available for download from the Microsoft Download Center:
Windows Vista x86-based systems
Windows Vista x64-based systems
Status
Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.
