Forcing Windows Update to re-attempt failed installs?

Fingerbobs

Is there a way to do this, without having to manually download each update and install it individually?

I've just re-installed Windows 8.1 on my Netbook, and during the Windows Update phase, it attempted to install an updated video card driver, which unfortunately crashed the system and I had to forcibly power down to recover it.

When I look at the Installation History, that update, and all the subsequent ones, are shown as "Failed". Running Windows Update again doesn't attempt to re-install these.

I'm tempted to re-install all over again, but tell it to skip the video card driver update, but that would be a big faff

I'm slightly puzzled as to why Microsoft would classify a video card driver as an "Important" update, but that's a whole nother discussion.

Any advice appreciated!

OneADay

Download the video drivers yourself?
You could use DriverMax (google it). It looks up drivers for your system and installs them. Free account does 2 updates in 24 hours. If you chhose to use Drivermax, don't install the extra crap that the setup tries to tempt you to install.

Fingerbobs

Thanks for the reply, but it's not really the video driver that worries me. Video card is working flawlessly with the existing driver, so I see no need to update it.

Because this driver update caused Windows Update to crash part way through, there are a bunch of other updates that didn't install - it's these that worry me.

I've re-run Windows Update several times, but these failed updates are never offered again.

OneADay

I wouldn't worry - usually failed updates get done.
You just need to check for new updates manually sometimes.
But if you want to do more try Microsoft's own solutions.....

http://support2.microsoft.com/gp/windows-update-issues/en-gb

Oblivion

Select the failed Windows Updates and delete them. Reboot, then run Windows Update again and Microsoft should then find them missing and reinstall them.

bod1467

How do you delete a Failed update? Like this apparently:

http://www.ehow.com/how_8105881_delete-windows-updates-failed-install.html

Although for me the failed updates don't appear in the list.