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Fix Windows Update Error 0x800f081f

How to Fix Update Error 0x800f081f in Windows 10

If you're getting error 0x800f081f when trying to update your operating system, you won't get important system updates. This article will show you several methods to fix this error.

Error 0x800f081f

What Causes Error 0x800f081f

You may experience error 0x800f081f due to incompatibility issues caused by Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5. It has been determined that such incompatibilities occur when users enable NET Framework.

In Windows 10, NET Framework works as an on-demand feature, meaning that when the user turns it on, the Windows Update service tries to acquire the binaries of .NET and other files. If your computer has been incorrectly configured, you will get the 0x800f081f error because Windows Update cannot find the necessary files for NET.

If Microsoft NET Framework is the cause of error 0x800f081f, then you may be able to resolve the issue by using an offline NET Framework installer or enabling the currently installed NET Framework version manually. NET Framework can be enabled using a PowerShell Command, the Deployment Image Servicing, and Management tool, or the installation wizard.

Video Guide on How to Fix Windows Update Error 0x800f081f

Table of Contents:

Solution 1. Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter

Right-click Start and click Settings

1. Right-click the Start Menu and click Settings.

Navigate to Update & Security

2. Select Update & Security.

Select Troubleshoot

3. Click Troubleshoot.

Select additional troubleshooters

4. Click Additional troubleshooters.

Select Windows Update and click Run the troubleshooter

5. Select Windows Update and click Run the troubleshooter.

6. If the troubleshooter detects an issue, it will select and apply a fix automatically.

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Solution 2. Enable Microsoft .NET Framework using Command Prompt

Right-click Start and select Apps and Features

1. Right-click the Start Menu and select Apps and Features.

Click programs and features

2. At the top-right of the window, select Programs and Features.

Select Turn Windows features on or off

3. In the resulting Programs and Features window, click Turn Windows features on or off.

Uncheck .NET Framework 3.5 and .NET Framework 4.8 and click OK

4. Find .NET Framework 3.5 and .NET Framework 4.8.

5. Uncheck the boxes next to .NET Framework 3.5 and .NET Framework 4.8 and click OK to disable them.

Click Restart now

6. Click Restart Now.

7. Return to the Turn Windows features on or off window.

Check .NET Framework 3.5 and .NET Framework 4.8 and click OK

8. Check the boxes next to .NET Framework 3.5 and .NET Framework 4.8 and click OK.

Select Let Windows Update download the files for you

9. Then, click the Let Windows Update download the files for you option.

Click Close

10. Click Close once the requested changes have been completed.

Type in CMD in Run and hold down Ctrl+Shift+Enter keys to open the elevated Command Prompt

11. Then, Hold down Windows+R keys to open the Run dialog box.

12. Type in CMD in the dialog box, and hold down Ctrl+Shift+Enter to open elevated Command Prompt.

Type in the command to enable .NET Framework 3.5 in CMD and hit Enter

13. In the Command Prompt window, type in DISM /Online /Enable-Feature /FeatureName:NetFx3 /All and hit the Enter key.

14. Close the Command Prompt and try updating Windows.

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Solution 3. Run the System File Checker (SFC) Scan

1. Hold down Windows+R keys to open the Run dialog box.

Type in CMD in Run and hold down Ctrl+Shift+Enter keys to open the elevated Command Prompt

2. Type in CMD in the Run text box and hold down Ctrl+Shift+Enter keys to open the elevated Command Prompt.

Type in SFC /Scannow and hot Enter

3. In the Command Prompt window, type in SFC /Scannow and hit the Enter key to start the scan.

4. Once the scan has been completed, restart your PC.

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Solution 4. Run the Deployment Image & Servicing Management (DISM) Scan

1. Hold down Windows+R keys to open the Run dialog box.

Type in CMD in Run and hold down Ctrl+Shift+Enter keys to open the elevated Command Prompt

2. Type in CMD in the Run text box and hold down Ctrl+Shift+Enter keys to open the elevated Command Prompt.

Enter the ScanHealth and RestoreHealth commnads in CMD and hit Enter

3. In the Command Prompt window, type in DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth and hit the Enter key. This parameter will scan the component store for corruption.

4. Type in DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and hit the Enter key.

5. Once the process has been completed, try updating Windows 10.

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Solution 5. Configure the Group Policy Setting

This solution is not possible on Windows 10 Home Edition since the Home Edition does not have the Group Policy Editor.

1. Hold down Windows+R keys to open the Run dialog box.

Type in Gpedit.msc in Run and click OK

2. In the Run dialog box, type in gpedit.msc and click OK.

Navigate to Specify Settings for Optional Content Installation and double-click it

3. In the left pane, expand Administrative Templates.

4. Then, select System.

5. In the right pane, open the Specify Settings for Optional Content Installation.

Enable Download Repair Content and options features directly from Windows Update

6. At the top-right of the window, select the Enabled option.

7. Then, mark the Download Repair Content and options features directly from Windows Update instead of Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) checkbox.

8. Click Apply and click OK to save the changes.

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Solution 6. Upgrade Windows 10 Using the Media Creation Tool

Go to the Media Creation Tool download webpage

1. Open your web browser, and go to Microsoft's Download Windows 10 web page.

Select Windows 10

2. Once on the website, select Windows 10.

Click the Download tool now button

3. Click Download tool now to get the Media Creation Tool.

4. Run the Media Creation Tool once it's been downloaded.

Accept the Media Creation Tool License terms

5. Then, Accept the license agreement.

Tick Upgrade this PC now and click Next

6. Make sure that the Upgrade this PC now is ticked, and click Next.

Accept the Windows 10 license terms

7. Then, Accept the Windows 10 license agreement.

Click Install to initiate the installation of Windows 10

8. You can opt to keep your personal files and apps, but if you want a clean installation of Windows 10, click the Change what to keep button to customize the installation settings.

9. Then, click Install, and the setup will begin installing Windows 10.

Take note that the installation will take some time, and your computer will restart several times throughout the installation.

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About the author:

Rimvydas Iliavicius

Rimvydas is a researcher with over four years of experience in the cybersecurity industry. He attended Kaunas University of Technology and graduated with a Master's degree in Translation and Localization of Technical texts. His interests in computers and technology led him to become a versatile author in the IT industry. At PCrisk, he's responsible for writing in-depth how-to articles for Microsoft Windows. Contact Rimvydas Iliavicius.

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