How to fix error 0x8000ffff

Error 0x8000ffff is a common error that may appear when a user downloads and installs Windows Updates, performing a system restoration or installing an application with the help of InstallShield. Commonly, it is caused by a failure to reach the required driver or settings of Windows Update Center. The error is sometimes called ‘catastrophic’, and for some cases it is true – this includes the system problems that could be resolved with system recovery or cumulative updates, which are impossible to perform because of error 0x8000ffff. Below in this guide you will find several methods to fix error 0x8000ffff.

Causes of receiving error 0x8000ffff message

Error 0x8000ffff may appear due to numerous reasons. Though the error message doesn’t give much information about reasons of error grounds, it is likely one of the list:

• Improperly operating applications that are connected with system restore components, that cause instability
• Files of System restore service that were altered or damaged possibly due to malware/virus attack
• Disabled Volume shadow copy option, that System Restore is linked to

Ways to repair error 0x8000ffff:

Below we present instructions that may solve the problem. Depending on your system, the solutions may slightly differ, so perform the steps suitable for your system.

Automatic solution

Repairing system errors may be not an easy task, so we should warn you that performing some of the steps may require above-average skills, so if you don’t feel experienced enough, you may apply to automatic tool.

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Steps of manual resolving

Solution 1. Remove problem causing registry entries

1. Press Windows+R
2. Input ‘regedit’ and hit the Enter key
3. Go to the following location HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\COMPONENTS\
4. Remove the below listed entries
   • AdvancedInstallersNeedResolving
   • PendingXMLIdentifier
   • NextQueueEntryIndex
   • Reboot the PC

Solution 2. Re-register the required components

1. Initiate the search for ‘command prompt’
2. Type the following commands and hit Enter after each
   • For 32 Bit OS: CD %WinDir%\System32
   • For 64 Bit OS: CD %WinDir%\SysWow64
   • RegSvr32 vbscript.dll
   • Exit
3. Reboot the PC

If you are not sure what type of system you are using, then simply right-click the My Computer or This PC icon and choose Properties – in the appeared window you will see the information on your system version.

Solution 3. Permit VSS Copy

1. Go to the Control Panel
2. Change the view type to Icons
3. Choose Administrative tools and within it go to the Services tab
4. There at the bottom of the window find the Volume Shadow Copy service and double-click it
5. Click on the Startup type menu and select Automatic
6. Confirm your choice by clicking OK

Solution 4. Delete Conflicting File

Use this method if the error message emerges when you’re performing an installation of software through InstallShield.

1. Navigate to C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallSheild\Professional\Runtime\ISProbe.tlb
2. And remove ISProbe.tlb file

It is likely that you will need to view hidden files & folders to detect the file. For this open the Control Panel and click Folder Options. In the emerged window go to the tab View and mark the option ‘Show hidden files, folders, and drivers’