Software⏱️ 3 min read📅 2026-06-19

How to Fix 0x80070652 Error – Windows 8.1 Upgrade fails with error code 0x80070652

Windows 8.1 upgrade fails with error code 0x80070652, Thinkpad T530, Windows 8 and Ubuntu 12.04.

Quick Answer: Try disabling Secure Boot in BIOS settings and then retry the upgrade.

📋 Table of Contents

  1. 🔍 Why This Happens
  2. ✅ Best Solutions to Fix It
  3. 💡 Conclusion

The Windows 8.1 upgrade error code 0x80070652 can be frustrating and confusing, especially when it occurs during the preparation phase of the upgrade process. This error typically affects users who have multiple operating systems installed on their system or have a complex disk configuration.

In this troubleshooting guide, we will walk you through the steps to resolve the Windows 8.1 upgrade issue with error code 0x80070652. By following these steps, you should be able to successfully upgrade your Windows 8 installation to Windows 8.1.

🔍 Why This Happens

  • The primary reason for this error is that the Windows Upgrade Assistant is unable to find a compatible boot configuration on the system. This can occur when there are multiple operating systems installed, or when the disk configuration is not properly set up for the upgrade process.
  • An alternative cause of this error could be related to the presence of an existing GPT-partitioned drive that was removed during the initial installation of Windows 8. In such cases, the system may still attempt to use the GPT partitioning scheme, leading to the error code 0x80070652.

✅ Best Solutions to Fix It

Reconfigure the Disk Configuration and Upgrade Assistant

  1. Step 1: Step 1: Disable Fast Boot and Secure Boot on your system. To do this, go to the BIOS settings (usually by pressing F2 or F12 during startup) and disable Fast Boot and Secure Boot. Save the changes and exit the BIOS settings.
  2. Step 2: Step 2: Ensure that the Windows Upgrade Assistant is not running in compatibility mode with any other applications. Try running the assistant as an administrator and ensure that all necessary updates are installed.
  3. Step 3: Step 3: Remove all existing MBR partitions on the disk, including the Windows partition. Use a disk management tool to delete the partitions and create a new MBR partition table. Then, reinstall Windows 8.1 from scratch.

Reinstall Windows 8.1 with a Clean Install

  1. Step 1: Step 1: Completely remove all existing partitions on the disk using a disk management tool. This will ensure that there are no remaining partitions or file systems that could interfere with the upgrade process.
  2. Step 2: Step 2: Create a new MBR partition table and format the disk as NTFS. Then, reinstall Windows 8.1 from scratch, selecting the option to perform a clean installation.

💡 Conclusion

By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the Windows 8.1 upgrade issue with error code 0x80070652. If you are still experiencing issues after attempting these methods, it may be necessary to seek further assistance from Microsoft support or a professional IT technician.

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