Problem Definition:
Running the command:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Fails at 100%, stating "The Source files cannot be found. The Error shown is: 0x800f081f
Cause:
The /Online method is out of sync with the actual installed version of Windows.
Resolution:
On the affected Virtual Machine, first Mount the Operating System Image that corresponds to your installation from the Public Catalog.
Then, open an Elevated Command Prompt and run DISM again, specifying the source directory as the Operating System Image. Note, the following example assumes the DVD drive has letter D:\ assigned to it:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:wim:D:\sources\install.wim:2 /LimitAccess
If the above command still fails, try running from the from the Windows Preboot Environment (PE)
Create a Snapshot
Boot to the Windows PE
If using the VMware Paravirtual Driver:
mount vmware tools installer
drvload d:\program files\vmware\vmware tools\drivers\pvscsi\win8\amd64\pvscsi.inf
diskpart
rescan
list volume
unmount VMware tools
Note: Use Diskpart where necessary to confirm directories
x:
mkdir F:\scratch
dism /image:F: /ScratchDir:F:\Scratch /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:wim:D:\sources\install.wim:2 /LimitAccess
sfc /scannow /OFFBOOTDIR=F:\ /OFFWINDIR=F:\Windows
rmdir F:\scratch
Additional Information:
If the reason for running the DISM repair is because windows updates are not installing, consider disabling the "Defer Windows Updates" group policy, re-run windows updates, then re-enable the Windows Update Deferral.
Note: This procedure is for Windows Server Standard Desktop Experience. For Server Standard Core, replace install.wim:2 with install.wim:1
It is advisable to run the following command once the above completes successfully:
sfc /scannow
To avoid the above issue, it is recommended to not use the "Reset Virtual Machine" or "Power Off Virtual Machine" functions in vCloud Director. Always use "Shutdown Guest OS" or initiate the virtual machine shutdown gracefully from the Operating System.