Error 0x8000fff while installing updates in Windows Vista

Resolution for  the error code 0x8000fff while installing Windows updates (one of the most common and controversial issue)  in Windows Vista, if the customer gets this error while installing Windows Service pack 1, these steps will work, tried and tested yesterday.

Go into HKLM\COMPONENTS, and check if these three values exist under the COMPONENTS key:

 

PendingXmldentifier
NextQueueEntryIndex

AdvancedInstallersNeedResolving

If any of these exists, deleting it will resolve the issue.