[SOLVED] Error 0x800703f1 Windows 10 - won't run windows updates or allow update of Nvidia drivers

[D_Q]

So ran into an issue where windows would not run updates and noticed my Nvidia drivers had issues via Device Manager. Believe I had Nvidia Geoforce Experience and notice they are now recommending Nvidia app, which requires the removal of the Geoforce Experience. So I uninstalled all my Nvidia components in control panel and remove the Geoforce driver from device manager thinking this would allow me to install the new Nvidia app and in turn resume Windows updates. Nvidia app got further along the install but also came up with the 0x800703f1 error. Have ran the SFC and dism commands, sfc is coming up with "found some corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them". Through searching found this thread...looking for any help that can avoid a Windows reinstall, therefor losing all programs. Thanks

 

[Maxstar]

Hi and welcome to Sysnative,

Upload your DRIVERS Hive

• Navigate to C:\Windows\System32\config and locate the DRIVERS file.
• Please copy this file to your desktop.
• Note: If you receive an error that this file is in-use, simply reboot your computer and try again.
• Right-click on this file on your desktop and select Send To > Compressed (zipped) folder. This will create a file named DRIVERS.ZIP on your desktop.
• If the file is too large to upload here, upload the file to www.wetransfer.com and post the link in your next reply.

 

[D_Q]

Hi - drivers file uploaded. Thanks

 

[Maxstar]

Hi,

Replace Drivers Hive Manually

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.

1. Download DRIVERS.ZIP and save to your desktop.
2. Right-click on it and select Extract all.... Make sure the "Show extracted files when complete" is checked and click Extract.
3. Now we have the DRIVERS file that we will be using to replace your current one.
4. Navigate to C:\Windows\System32\config
5. Right-click on the current DRIVERS file and select rename. Rename it to DRIVERS.bad.
   Note: If you get an error that the file is in use, reboot your computer and then try again.
6. Take the file from the Drivers folder on your desktop and paste it into C:\Windows\System32\config

Afterwards reboot the system and attempt to update. If it fails attach the latest CBS logs and the following logfile.

Upload the setupapi.dev.log file

• Open Windows Explorer and browse to the C:\Windows\INF folder.
• Right-click on the file setupapi.dev.log and choose Send to > Compressed (zipped) folder.
• Now the message will appear, "Windows cannot create the Compressed (zipped) Folder here. Do you want it to be placed on the desktop instead?"
• Click on the Yes button here.

• Attach the file setupapi.dev.zip in your next reply.

 

[D_Q]

Thank you!!! Windows is updating.

 

[Maxstar]

Great, let me know the result after the reboot...

 

[D_Q]

Everything seems to be working as it should. Thank you again.

 

[Maxstar]

Hi,

You're welcome. Glad to hear everything is up and running again...