Windows Updates Fail to Install - Apparently due to a damaged manifest

DavidByrne · Nov 8, 2016

All Windows updates attempted online or downloaded and using WUSA fail to install without any clear reason or error message. SFC and SURT indicate a damaged manifest, and this appears to be related to KB304599 which can neither be uninstalled or reinstalled.

I don't want to waste your time, so quickly does this sound fixable or not? I've tried pretty much everything I can find online for the past week without success. Sorry to trouble you, and thanks in advance for any advice or help you can offer.

Regards, David

Target system: Dell M4700 laptop running Win 7 x64 SP1

zcomputerwiz · Nov 16, 2016

Hi David,

Let's start with the System Update Readiness Tool.

System Update Readiness Tool (SURT)

Download and run the System Update Readiness Tool for your version of Windows here: System Update Readiness Tool

NOTE: If you aren't sure if your Windows installation is 32-bit or 64-bit, check here: How to determine whether a computer is running a 32-bit version or 64-bit version of the Windows operating system

This tool will take some time to complete - when it has finished, attach C:\Windows\Logs\CBS\CheckSUR.log with your reply.

DavidByrne · Nov 16, 2016

Hi Z,

Thanks for getting back to me. Here's the SURT log - sorry, I should have sent this before. Please let me know if you think a reasonably quick and simple fix is possible, otherwise I think I better reformat the disk and reinstall Windows from scratch. That'll take some time but at least I know how to do it.

Cheers, David

zcomputerwiz · Nov 21, 2016

Windows Update Manifest Replacement

Warning: this fix is specific to the user in this thread. No one else should follow these instructions as it may cause more harm than good. If you are after assistance, please start a thread of your own.

Please download the attached file, Packs.zip and save this to your Desktop.
Right-click on the file and select Extract All...
Tick the box labelled Show extracted files when complete then click Extract
A window will open showing the folder Manifests
Open the Manifests folder and copy the files into the following folder

C:\Windows\Temp\CheckSur\Winsxs\Manifests
Run the System Update Readiness Tool (SURT) again.
When the SURT finishes installing, copy (Ctrl + C) and paste (Ctrl + V) the contents of the SURT log into your next post please:

C:\Windows\Logs\CBS\CheckSUR.log

View attachment Packs.zip

DavidByrne · Nov 22, 2016

Hi Z,

Thanks, that seems to have fixed the manifest problem - see the attached SURT log, and running it a 3rd time shows no errors. The machine is with my colleague now and I've asked him to try doing a Windows Update again to see if this has fixed the problem.

BTW - I hate to take more of your time, but can I ask what this fix actually did? Did it just replace the missing manifest files from the KB304599 update which appeared to be implicated? I remember reading that particular update caused problems so should I try to uninstall it, or just leave it and hope that Windows Update takes care of it?

Cheers, David

zcomputerwiz · Nov 22, 2016

Hi David,
Yes - this fix was just placing the manifests from that update in the correct locations so that SURT could make the replacement.
Personally I would leave the update in place and let Windows Update handle any revisions.

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Windows Updates Fail to Install - Apparently due to a damaged manifest

DavidByrne

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zcomputerwiz

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DavidByrne

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zcomputerwiz

Windows Update Expert

DavidByrne

New member

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zcomputerwiz

Windows Update Expert