which was made more gruesome by the error installing kb2919355 (this package is not applicable to this computer)
So to resolve it (both errors). This was what I did.
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- Download offline installers for the six updates in the KB2919355 set: Download Windows 8.1 Update for x64-based Systems (KB2919355) from Official Microsoft Download Center
- Installed the five updates other than KB2919355 itself (i.e. KB2959977, KB2938439, KB2937592, KB2934018 and KB2932046)
- Restart computer (These updates will each require you to restart your system during installation. You can very well chose to do that or postpone all restarts and perform a single restart after a complete installation of all. Make no mistake restart is a prerequisite to proceed to the next stage.)
- Fix Windows Update: How do I reset Windows Update components?
- Open your system command line in elevated mode i.e (by selecting Run as Administrator)
- Scan Windows system components: sfc /scannow
- Remove KB2919355 package: dism /online /remove-package /packagename:Package_for_KB2919355~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~6.3.1.14 (this is for 64 bit systems.) for a (32 bit system use dism /online /remove-package /packagename:Package_for_KB2919355~31bf3856ad364e35~x86~~6.3.1.14)
- Clean up the WinSxS folder: dism /online /cleanup-image /startcomponentcleanup /resetbase
- Restart computer again.
- Run offline installer: Windows8.1-KB2919355-x86.msu
- Restart computer (You have to do this several times, but keep checking Windows Update each time until the update is listed as "successful") .Tiring yes but we are developers and vigilance is our watch word.
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- Well little else is required but to Run Visual Studio 2015 setup as an administrator.
With that done you are certainly good to go.
As with try and catch code block, finally if you system should prove to be too stubborn and still not install the downloaded kb2919355 package, you can always reconnect your antivirus, switch back on your internet and check for windows update through your control panel.
i.e Control Panel -> System and Security -> Check for updates (ensure you also chick both " Give me the recommended updates the same way I receive important updates " and " Give me the updates for other Microsoft products when I update Windows." which are in Windows update change settings)
NOTE:
You might need to switch off your antivirus cause they have been various instructions, In some case the antivirus was temporarily switched off and in other cases it was not (It might be wise to be on the safe side and switch if off for the duration of resolving the issue) and you will definitely need to be on the internet during the download processes. I recommend you download all the required files prior to the installations and that way while your antivirus is down you will not be connected to the internet which will on one hand provide a level of security and protection. Also you must plug your computer to an uninterrupted power supply for the duration of this exercise.
Finally to others facing this issue don't give up and resort to formatting your system. This issue will be resolved, just keep at it and don't give up. Good luck.