Internet Explorer update fails with error code 9C59

This post refers applies to a failure of Internet Explorer (IE) to update from a previous version; in this case IE9 on Win7 SP1.

The automatic update repeatedly failed apply the update to IE10 and later IE11 and logged update failures in the the update history:
Installation status: Failed
Error details: Code 9C59

Significant time was spent attempting to assess how this error could be solved.  During troubleshooting the Windows Features window was discovered to be blank and it was surmised that this was the actual cause of the update failure, as IE 9 is considered a feature of Windows and is on this list of features.  Instead of attempting to solve the update failure attention turned to solving the blank Windows Features window as arguably this was even more serious than a failing update.

Initially blogs and guides recommended using system file checks as sfc /scannow and DISM commands described here http://www.thewindowsclub.com/windows-resource-protection-found-corrupt-files note DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth is not a valid command at least on Win 7 SP1.

While researching DISM the system update readiness tool (SURT) was discovered http://support.microsoft.com/kb/947821 It is a large download "Windows6.1-KB947821-v34-x64.msu"

This system update readiness tool solved the blank Windows Features.  After applying it the features were available in the display again.

Running the Windows Update to apply the IE11 update was then successful.

Remember to reboot after installing the SURT.

DISM = Deployment Image Servicing and Management