14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft rolled out the third Windows 10 cumulative update a couple of days ago, but just like it happened with the first two, some users cannot install it because of an error that shows up during the process and then causes several PC reboots.
The software giant hasn't yet publicly acknowledged the problems, so it's not clear if this is a widespread issue or not, but it's pretty clear that these cumulative updates are making it harder for some users to update their systems every time they are released.
And since they are cumulative updates, they include all the previously-released fixes, which means that they're the best way to keep computers fully up to date.
Failing at 75 percent
In KB3081438's case, users claim that the install stops at 75 percent with an error saying that “We couldn't complete the updates. Undoing changes. Don't turn off your computer."
The PC is then rebooted, with the install reinitialized once Windows is fully loaded. The result is pretty much the same, so no matter how many times users reboot their computers, it's still basically impossible to install it.
One user explains the issue in detail:
“KB 3071438 does install on SOME of my computers, but not all. On my Desktop, it does not. The download finishes and install startss. Eventually I get a request for reboot. The installation continues on the reboot to 30%, and the machine does reboot. The installation continues, gets to 75% and stalls.
“After awhile, the message 'We couldn't complete the updates. Undoing changes. Don't turn off your computer.' appears and it starts rolling back the installation. Finally, the machine does again start in Windows 10 with the KB 3081438 installation. Of course, Windows wants to install it again, and if I sallow it, the same problem occurs.”
Right now, it's not yet clear if there's a way to fix the problem, but we've reached out to Microsoft asking for more information and will update the article should an answer be provided.