FIXED: Windows 11 Update and Install Error 0x800f0831

Having a 0x800f0831 error on Windows 11 computer means you have an issue installing a Windows update. This error is usually accompanied by a message that says, “The installation failed in the SAFE_OS phase with an error during MIGRATE_DATA operation.”

This article is a step-by-step guide on how to fix the 0x800f0831 error. We have some methods we will suggest to you to help get you out of this frustration. This should provide you with a successful update. In this article, we will also explain the cause of this error to you.

How do I fix error 0x800f0831 in Windows 11?

1. Run the troubleshooter

Firstly, open the computer’s Settings by pressing the Windows key + I together.
Then, click on System on the left pane.
After that, click on Troubleshoot and select Other troubleshooters.
When you see the list, select Windows Update from the available options and click the Run button.
Finally, allow Windows Update troubleshooter to run for a while to scan and detect the issues in your computer.
Finally, select the appropriate response when prompted.

2. Remove unused apps

Firstly, click on the Start button, enter control panel in the search bar, and then choose Control Panel from the results.
Then, under Programs, select the Uninstall a program option.
Finally, right-click the program(s) you want to uninstall that are no longer useful to you and click Uninstall.

3. Free up space

Begin by clicking the Start button and then select Settings.
Then click on System on the left pane options.
After that, click on Storage which will show you what is consuming your disk space.
Click on Temporary files. If not visible, click Show more categories to make it visible.
The Temporary files page exposes the temporary files on your PC. Check all the boxes and then click Remove files.

4. Clean disk

First, click the Start button, enter disk cleanup in the search bar, and then choose Disk Cleanup from the results.
On the subsequent display, check all the data you wish to remove under Files to delete and click on Ok.
Then select Delete files on the confirmation window to confirm the cleanup process.

5. Scan for virus using Windows Security

In the search box, search for Windows Security.
Click on the relevant search result to open the application.
Now click Virus & threat protection.
Next, click on the Scan options to view all available scans.
Choose the Full scan option and click the Scan now button to do a deep scan on your PC for viruses or malware.

6. Run SFC scan

Start by clicking the Search icon on the taskbar and enter command prompt in the text entry.
Now, right-click on Command prompt and select Run as administrator.
To continue, click on Yes on the next prompt.
When it opens, you should enter the following command and press the Enter key to run an SFC scan:
sfc /scannow
Finally, it would be best to restart your computer to implement repairs.

7. Perform clean boot

Begin by pressing the Windows and R buttons together to open the Run dialog.
Now type msconfig in the Run entry box and press Enter or click the Ok button.
Then find the Services tab, click on it, and tick on the Hide all Microsoft services box.
Click on the Disable all button and then click Apply.
Select the Startup tab and then click Open Task Manager.
Now right-click on the first enabled app on the Task Manager tab and click Disable.
Finally, follow step 6 to disable all enabled applications one after the other.
After disabling the apps, close Task Manager.
Restart your PC.

8. Perform system restore

Firstly, press the Windows + R key combination to open the Run dialog on your PC and type rstrui. Press Enter after to open it.
Click on Choose a different restore point when the System Restore wizard opens.
Then click on the Next button to continue.
On the next window, choose your restore point and click Next.
Allow the process to run and complete.
Finally, click Finish when the restore is complete.

9. Run DISM

First, press the Windows key, enter cmd in the text box, and select Run as administrator.
Now enter the following commands in the Command Prompt and press Enter after each:
DISM /ONLINE /CLEANUP-IMAGE /SCANHEALTH
DISM /ONLINE /CLEANUP-IMAGE /CHECKHEALTH
DISM /ONLINE /CLEANUP-IMAGE /RESTOREHEALTH
Sfc /Scannow
Now, wait until the scan is done.
Finally, restart your PC.

10. Do disk cleanup with device properties

Press the Windows + E keys to open File Manager and click on This PC.
Then, right-click on the C: drive and select Properties from the drop-down options.
Click the General tab on the new window and click on the Cleanup button.
In the next box, select the data you want to clean by checking their boxes and then click OK.

11. Clean temporary files

Press the Windows + R to start the Run app, enter %tmp%, and press Enter or click the OK button.
When the File Manager app opens, it will contain the Temp folder on your PC.
Then, use the Ctrl + A hotkeys to select all the files and folders, right-click on them and click on the Delete icon looking like the waste bin, or just hit the Delete key on your keyboard when you have selected the files.

12. Update driver through Settings

Firstly, press the Windows + I keys together to open Settings or open by clicking the Windows icon on the Taskbar.
Then click the Windows Update option and the Check for updates button to find new updates.
Now click on Advanced Options.
Then click on the Optional updates section.
Finally, select the Driver Updates section and Download and Install all the available updates.
The driver will start to download. Allow the process to complete.
Finally, restart your PC.

13. Update driver through third-party apps

Firstly, go to Driver Easy website on your browser (our third-party app example).
Then download and install the program.
Then run the Driver Easy app and click the Scan Now button to scan your PC and detect faulty drivers.
Finally, click on the Update All button to run the update accordingly.
Let the process complete, and then restart your device.

14. Contact Microsoft support

Writing to Microsoft support is essential if you are experiencing any issues with the 0x800f0831 error on Windows 11. Doing so will allow the Microsoft Support team to investigate the issue and provide you with an appropriate solution.

The solutions may include steps to resolve the issue, or the agent may provide either an update or a patch to fix the issue. In any case, Microsoft Support can assist in troubleshooting the issue and also getting your Windows update process going smoothly as it should.

What is the Windows 11 error 0x800f0831?

The Windows 11 error 0x800f0831 is an error that occurs when there is a problem when trying to install a Windows update on your Windows 11 PC. This error typically indicates a problem with the update package or the computer’s ability to download and install the update.

There are several causes responsible for this problem. Some of them include the following:

Corrupted system files: System files that are corrupt on your PC could be one cause. This can happen due to malware infections, hardware failures, or improper shutdowns.
Third-party software conflicts: Third-party software on your computer can cause conflicts with the Windows Update service. This can happen if the software is incompatible with or interferes with the update process.
Windows Update service issues: The Windows Update service is responsible for downloading and installing updates on your computer. If this service has a problem, it can prevent updates installation and cause the 0x800f0831 error.
Outdated device drivers: Your computer’s device drivers may also be out-of-date or incompatible with the update. This can happen if the driver does not work with the new update or is missing critical updates.
Insufficient system resources: In some cases, the 0x800f0831 error can be caused by insufficient system resources such as disk space or RAM.

In conclusion, there are several solutions you can try to resolve this error and successfully install updates on your Windows 11 computer. These solutions range from simple troubleshooting steps to more complex system repairs, as noted in this solution.

Ensure you use these effective methods to fix the 0x800f0831 error on Windows 11. Use one or a combination of fixes for the best results.