Windows Update failes on upgrade to Windows 8

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I recently upgraded to Windows 8 (doing an upgrade install from Windows 7). The upgrade was quick and easy, and everything works amazingly well with one exception. Windows Update doesn’t work when set to look for updates to Microsoft products other than Windows. I get an error code 80242005, and Check for Updates returns zero results. When I change settings so that WU looks only for updates to Windows, then WU works, but of course Office updates aren’t listed, nor are any other non-Windows updates. Strangely enough, Microsoft Support doesn’t seem to be aware of this error code (a search there returns zero results), even though it’s their own error code.

I’ve spent a few days searching for answers to this problem, and it seems that many other people have had the same issue, ever since Win8 was introduced, but I can’t find a solution, so I’m hoping that someone here has an answer.

Thinking it might be a registry error, I cleaned up the registry with CCCleaner (after first backing up the registry, of course), but this didn’t help.

Does anyone have any ideas?

Fafner

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It is a documented Windows Update error code, but I haven’t been able to find a solution for the Microsoft Update situation:

0x80242005 WU_E_UH_WRONGHANDLER An operation did not complete because the wrong handler was specified.
Windows Update error code list

Bruce

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If you haven’t done this already, I suggest opening an elevated Command Prompt (right-click and select “Run as administrator”) and run “sfc /scannow” (without the quotes).

Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!

We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

We were all once "Average Users".

Computer Specs

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Thanks to Bruce and to bbearren for your replies. I ran sfc as admin and got the “Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations” response.

Thanks also for finding the error code listed. But it’s frustrating that this error has existed so long with apparently no solution. Has anyone found anything else?

Wayne

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I found this link which seems to describe your problem. It appears that some incompatibility carries over from Windows 7 into Windows 8.

You might find something useful there.

Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!

We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

We were all once "Average Users".

Computer Specs

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Thanks, bbearen. Unfortunately, I had found this link before I posted in this forum, and it didn’t help. The scripts described just turn on Microsoft Update, which still doesn’t work, as described above. I have to revert to WU and get updates for Windows only.

Until this problem is resolved (if it is ever resolved), I can always use the workaround of applying updates manually, but without Microsoft Update to tell me what patches are available for my system, there’s no guarantee I’ll catch them all.

Fafner

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I thought I’d report back after having solved this problem. Well, I didn’t actually solve the specific problem, but it went away after a clean install of Windows 8. Since the error was due, apparently, to an issue carried over from Windows 7 when I upgraded. I eliminated the issue with a clean reinstall (reset). Worked like a dream. So let me add my voice to those in this forum who advocate a clean install over an upgrade. I resisted at first, because of all my old software. A clean install is more work at first, but it saves you a lot of time in the long run, and you have a nice, slick new computer. Thanks to everyone for all your good advice.

By the way, I have since installed 8.1, and that, too, went smoothly.

Fafner

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I will modify a previous post in another thread. I have always advocated a Custom (Clean) install, generally with a format during the installation. I stated that for Win 8.1 I used the Upgrade Install. I believe in actuality this was not an Upgrade Install at all, but an installation of a Service Pack, similar to Win 7 SP1. I realize that MS does not call it a Service Pack, but in my mind that is exactly what it is. Perhaps this is one reason why a stand alone ISO file is not available. The Win 7 SP1 ISO file was made available eventually, but this was also NOT a stand alone OS, but a major upgrade to Win 7. I suspect Win 8.1 is similar in that without an already installed Win 8 OS the Upgrade is just that, an upgrade. In order to get to Win 8.1 from Win 7 or the Win 8 preview, unless you have an Image of Win 8 and can get it back, you must purchase the OEM or Retail versions of Win 8.1.

Perhaps I am overthinking this, but that is what I believe at this time. Am I wrong?

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I believe in actuality this was not an Upgrade Install at all, but an installation of a Service Pack, similar to Win 7 SP1.
…
I suspect Win 8.1 is similar in that without an already installed Win 8 OS the Upgrade is just that, an upgrade.
…
Perhaps I am overthinking this, but that is what I believe at this time. Am I wrong?

Yes, you’re overthinking it. What would you expect an upgrade to be other than an upgrade?

I suppose what you’re saying is that without a downloadable ISO, there was no opportunity for a clean install?

Bruce

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