There is no two ways about the disturbing effect of this error during Windows updates than to allow it to restart properly. The major causes of the problem are related to two files number in the Updates list. They are KB2756872 and KB2770917 - Updates for Windows 8 for x64-based Systems. There are others causative files as well. It can be due to Windows updates drivers compatibility problem. Another thing this trouble seems to be common among NVIDIA graphic adapter based systems. Which means both reference numbers can be graphic adapter drivers update beside cumulative updates.
Nevertheless, there is a way to get around this error during update so that it won't come up while trying to complete Windows updates.
Image of failure configuring Windows updates in Windows 8
STEP 1: Allow the system to shut down on its own and restart for the second time with the same message before taking you to your Windows Startup.
Image of Settings in Windows 8
STEP 2: Move your cursor to the right-hand side edge of your screen and click 'Settings'.
Image of getting Control Panel in Windows 8
STEP 3: Next click on 'Control Panel' from the list of items on the menu bar.
Image of Control Panel in Windows 8
STEP 4: At 'Control Panel' click on the tiny arrow pointing right at the top search-bar(where Control Panel is written) .
Image of getting All Control Panel Items in Windows 8
STEP 5: From the drop-down menu select 'All Control Panel Items'
Image of All Control Panel Items in Windows 8
STEP 6: Click on 'Windows Updates' to move to Windows Updates screen.
Image of Windows Updates in Windows 8
STEP 7: At 'Windows Updates' click '...important updates available'. If you don't have it click on 'Check for updates' , wait for Windows updates to search for update and click the '...important updates available.'
Image of Select updates to install in Windows 8
STEP 8: From the 'Select updates to install' look for 'Updates for Windows 8 for x64-based Systems(KB2756872)'', right-click on it and click 'Hide update'.
Image of Select updates to install in Windows 8
STEP 9: At 'Select updates to install' screen look for the second 'Updates for Windows 8 for x64-based Systems(KB2770917)'', right-click on it and click 'Hide update'.
STEP 10: Click 'Install' to install updates. Windows will restart without aforesaid error message.
STEP 11: If you are still experiencing the error try to install the updates one by one. It usually works. Visit this LINK on how to do that.
NB: For more information about this error visit this LINK