Recently, while investigating an issue related to a .NET Framework hotfix installation problem, I reviewed the contents of the System Update Readiness Tool knowledge base article. I noticed that the contents have been updated since the release of Windows 8. Instead of needing to download and run a separate tool, the diagnostic and repair functionality in the System Update Readiness Tool is now built into Windows in Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012. This change should make it much easier to investigate and fix issues on Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012 such as the one I described a while ago in this blog post.

Free Download System Update Readiness Tool

You can find more detailed information about how to use System Update Readiness Tool functionality in Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012 in this blog post from the Windows servicing team.

Windows 8.1 Update Repair Tool

System Update Readiness Tool for Windows 7 (KB947821) [January 2010] Quote: This tool is being offered because an inconsistency was found in the Windows servicing store which may prevent the successful installation of future updates, service packs, and software. Having run into this problem lately and browsing numerous posts after post of long, complicated registry edits, file downloads, and other ridiculous failed attempts, we were reminded about the Microsoft System Update Readiness Tool. It’s a large download and about as slow as Windows Updates is but it gets the job done.