Windows 10: Windows Update when run is corrupting the MBR and laptop will not Boot

You've got a Macrium Reflect system image backup so try this:

Grab a copy of this script:

Script Reset Windows Update Agent

Extract to desktop. Then make sure that windows update service is stopped. If it won't stop disconnect from internet (switch off router) and reboot. Check again to make sure that windows update service is stopped.

Right click ResetWUEng.cmd and choose "Run as administrator"



Choose option 11. Reboot when complete. Then recheck that Windows Update Service is stopped and run the tool again but choose option 2. Reboot when done (still with no internet)

Run this command in administrator powershell:

Code: %SystemRoot%\System32\Cmd.exe /c Cleanmgr /sageset:65535 & Cleanmgr /sagerun:65535[/quote] It will run extended disk cleanup. Include Windows Update cleanup options.
Switch on router an reboot when finished.

Wait 5 minutes or so and you should be able to run an update check.

It sounds like you might need to avoid problem updates for the time being so maybe check posts 1 - 3 in this thread:

Stop Windows 10 Updates Properly and Completely Solved - Windows 10 Forums

 

It will run extended disk cleanup. Include Windows Update cleanup options.
Switch on router an reboot when finished.

Wait 5 minutes or so and you should be able to run an update check.

It sounds like you might need to avoid problem updates for the time being so maybe check posts 1 - 3 in this thread:

Stop Windows 10 Updates Properly and Completely Solved - Windows 10 Forums[/quote] Hello Callender,

Thanks for your reply and suggestions.
After a further image is created (Just in case!!!) I will having downloaded the script and software get stuck into seeing what happens, then report back and let you know.

It was interesting to also find out that as of 26 November 2017 it is impossible to 'Disable' windows updates due to BIG Brother 'interference' from Windows 10.

That's why my 'Disabled' status on Windows Updates didn't last, and I could not figure out why!

 

Actually you can disable WU. See this thread - in particular posts 1 and 3.

Stop Windows 10 Updates Properly and Completely Solved - Windows 10 Forums

Note: Using a third party tool to disable updates might lead to problems if microsoft makes any changes to the way updates are delivered.

 

It will run extended disk cleanup. Include Windows Update cleanup options.
Switch on router an reboot when finished.

Wait 5 minutes or so and you should be able to run an update check.

It sounds like you might need to avoid problem updates for the time being so maybe check posts 1 - 3 in this thread:

Stop Windows 10 Updates Properly and Completely Solved - Windows 10 Forums[/quote] Hi Callender,

Checked Windows Update setting and it was 'Disabled' while laptop was not connected to the Internet.
Ran the script in Admin Mode and chose Option 11 which firstly it created a backup Registry then I selected option 11 and when it ran presented me with a load of 'problems'.....

Windows Update relies on True Vector Internet Monitor, failed to stop this service.
Failed to stop the Cryptographic Services service.
Failed to stop the BITS service

The end result was that the message at the end of the operation said it had been completed but failed.

Then I rebooted, checked that WU was still 'Disabled' and went for Option 2, and as it ran I watched a scrolled list roll up the screen of........
Registry Entries not deleted or added.

I then closed the script down, closed down and powered off, then rebooted and changed the WU setting to 'Manual (Triggered) in Local Services but ensured after I did it that it was stopped and the Internet connection was disconnected.

I then opened up and ran the script as Administrator again and got the same error messages as previously in Option 11 and Option 2.

Now moving onto the Code to be run in Administrator Powershell:
%SystemRoot%\System32\Cmd.exe /c Cleanmgr /sageset:65535 & Cleanmgr /sagerun:65535


I got this error message when I tried it, and that also failed to run:

 

To Callender,

Update on using 'script and Code'

Having it seems failed on both counts to 'cure' the WU 'problem' I then re-installed the Macrium Image I made before trying the script and code and found that the WU 'status' had been changed from 'Disabled' to Manual (Triggered) which is weird as it was imaged as 'disabled'.

Also while typing out this and the previous reply, I left WU running looking for Updates to download and install.

There are 6 that are currently being downloaded to be installed, with one of those 'wonderful' re-starts to finish it off, if my laptop will re-start of course!

I'll let you know.........

Cheers

 

Further update:.........

After trying 4 different Windows Update Repair Programs one of which was from Microsoft the final one downloading 6 Updates while advising me that a 'Cumulative Update' needed to be installed and went through the Blue Screen scenario of the laptop being updated.

All 4 repair programs gave me the Blue Screen at Start Up with the words of 'INNACESSIBLE BOOT DEVICE' which could not be repaired.

So after each repair tool is was back to Macrium and the last good image being restored.

After then talking with a colleague it seems that Microsoft has got update problems as he is also experiencing the same update problems.

So now the laptop ethernet connection has via the registry been set to metered connection and once again windows update set to 'disabled'

At the moment after going back to my last good image: It ain't broke so I am holding off trying to fix it.

Thanks for your suggestions while I am sorry they did not work out.

 

A truly great and memorable play on the old saying "It ain't broke so I am holding off trying to fix it." Good job, sir!
--Ed--

 

Hello Ed,

I was advised as a last attempt to try 'Windows Repair' but on this HP Win10 configured laptop it has not been installed so it ain't there, so that went down the tubes as well!

I then tried to set up Windows Update as a 'Metered Connection' when using an Ethernet Connection but Microsoft only allow it when the PC is using WiFi!!! *Huh

However a bit of research on the internet provided the 'how to' and even though it involved modifying the Registry it was carried out and is now set up. The article also describes how to 'undo' it if you need to in the future. *Biggrin

I did think about trying the 'WUMTWrapperScript' that you put forward in another post and I was pointed in the direction of in this post but not quite sure if it would work or make life any easier, maybe you can advise please?

Conversely my car is now 7 years old with 107,350 miles on the Odometer and except for a piece of software that cured a 'problem' when towing a trailer has never had a software update installed as part of it's service package or at any other time, while the Service Manager at the garage we got the car gets very frustrated when we talk about this, but as I keep telling him as the car is running exceedingly well, then 'Cos it ain't broke don't fix it'!

I'm just very glad however that Microsoft is NOT involved with the braking systems in vehicles as some of us could end up in the Duck Pond or river! *Mad

Cheers

 

The WUMTwrapper is pretty helpful and it does work as described. If you are OK with using it, it will do the job nicely.
Best of luck in getting things squared away, and thanks for asking,
--Ed--

 

Can you use: Magic Partition Manager Free Software
right click on the FAT32 partition (260MB)->Properties and check the unused space. Chance is if this partition is full then Windows Updates will have problem updating the Boot Manager.

Run this command from Administrator command prompt, not Powershell

 

Disk Management is telling me that the 260Mb EFI Partition is completely free with nothing on it.

Is this (260Mb EFI) where Windows Updates will reside until Installed and Configured?

Update: If the 260Mb EFI Partition is where the Windows Update files will reside when downloaded then there is a 'problem' as one of the Cumulative Updates for Win10 is 1.19Gb in size, which is a tad to BIG for the 260Mb EFI Partition.

 

Disk Management does not show the used/unused size since all files/folders in this partition are hidden and that's the reason why I ask you to run Partition Magic to show the used/unused size as shown above in post #38.

No, this partition only contains the boot code in order to boot into Windows. A retail copy of Windows when installed, is only 100MB. However, Your version of Windows is OEM and this partition size (260MB) is customized by the manufacturer to contain additional code to run Diagnostic, Recovery and factory reset Windows via Function Keys.

Windows Updates are stored under C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download and will be run from there, extra folders will be created under C: drive ie. C:\Windows.old, C:\$Windows.~BT ... to configure the new build.

 

Well it's good news from over here as after running the WUMT (Windows Update Mini Tool) software to identify updates needed the ones for Microsoft Office and Windows were downloaded and installed while the updates for all the 'Drivers' that were identified were EXCLUDED.

The flat 'Plastic Box' with a bunch of 'Chips' and a 'HDD' inside is now booting up and working very well, so thanks for the offer but I will not be trying yet another tool to hopefully get to understand why I kept getting 'INNACESSIBLE BOOT DEVICE' when all the Drivers were downloaded and installed.

While for now and hopefully a long time to come with the assistance of Macrium and a good image which has been made.'It ain't broke, so I won't be fixing it"

Cheers