My Windows 10 PC has reached the end of supported OS, but I cannot install an update

[DonaldsRump]

Every time I try to install an update to get me current, it downloads the update, installs it, and then fails. The computer seems to do a system restore, and I am back to my obsolete version of Windows 10.

This is the version of Windows 10 I was trying to install: Windows 10, version 1909.

I tried to do it again yesterday, and I got a stop code "Watchdog". As best as I can tell, there is something wrong with my drive partition based on some further analysis.

Can anyone help? The PC is functional, but I'm concerned about the obsolete version of Windows 10 that I'm running.

Thanks!

[sweetloukillbot]

1. I ran into this with my wife's laptop

It's an ASUS, and there was some ASUS system app that wasn't compatible with newer Windows versions and was causing it to not upgrade. I haven't investigated much beyond that as my wife needed the computer for school and I didn't want to risk bricking it for her by removing the ASUS app.

[DonaldsRump]

3. It is a REAL pain

I have tried to update it MANY times, and it keeps failing.

I don't understand why Microsoft can't be more definitive in what is a problem with updating its own software. I've run the Windows Update troubleshooter, and no real joy there.

After spending an hour after yesterday's failure to update, I think I have an issue with my drive partition, but am clueless on how to fix it.

I guess I should consider myself lucky that it's not yet bricked.

[Siwsan]

2. I had a similar problem with my old laptop

I had practically NOTHING extra loaded on it but it kept saying there wasn't enough space to install the updates. I ended up dumping Norton and tried, again, but it was too late.

It is a Lenovo and was nothing but problems from the outset. I ended up buying a new HP Pavilion and it's actually the best laptop I've ever owned. If my nephew can fix the Lenovo, I'll keep it upstairs and use it to stream Xfinity.

[ramblin_dave]

4. Have you checked your OS disk for errors?

Try using windows tools to check your OS disk for file system errors. If any are found and repaired, then try updating again.

[Bayard]

5. Windows 10 is obsolete?

I just bought it less than 6 months ago. I barely know enough to be dangerous.

[Ferrets are Cool]

8. No, nothing to worry about.

[DonaldsRump]

9. It's just the version of Windows 10 that I have that's obsolete.

That's the whole point: I should be able to effortlessly update Windows 10 via Microsoft to bring it to a current, non-obsolete state. But, good ole Microsoft has caused me hours of failing to do this!

[sdfernando]

6. Its likely you have errors on your OS disk...for most people that is their C: drive

The errors will need to be fixed before you can proceed. I've seen this multiple times. There could be other issues too but need to rule them out 1-by-1.

[msongs]

7. take your questions to tenforums.com they should be able to help you nt

[PoliticAverse]

10. At a certain point it's a good idea to save all your stuff to a backup and reformat your drive...

and install the latest Windows (downloaded direct from Microsoft) from scratch.

[LPBBEAR]

11. Switch

I'm guessing most of you going through the Windows misery don't have to be wedded to Microsoft. Most of you probably already use Firefox, Thunderbird, LibreOffice, Zoom, Skype and other common applications. These all run in Linux. Unless you're using some software that is Windows specific you don't have to go through the kind of crap I see Windows users moaning about.
Switch to Linux and leave that misery behind.
Its free and easy to install. Many versions are available. A good one for switch over users is Linux Mint.

https://linuxmint.com/

A good site to explore the vast number of other Linux choices is: https://distrowatch.com/

[jrandom421]

12. Here's a way to upgrade

Download the Windows 10 media creation tool from here.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

Create a USB and run the upgrade from the USB you created.

I've been able to upgrade since 1511, the initial version of Windows 10 with this method.

[DonaldsRump]

13. Thanks for everyone's suppport on this! But need emergency help.

Unfortunately, I have now bricked the computer! Arrrgh.

I thought I had repaired the hard drive (I had some indications that a partition issue was causing Windows not to update) and went ahead and installed the latest Windows 10 update that would no longer make the build obsolete. I let it run overnight and came back tof find a black screen loop with the Dell logo where it is saying attempting to uninstall the update and then immediately restarts again. It is now doing this infinitely.

Now, I cannot start in safe mode, and keys like F8, F12 etc don't get me anything except the BIOS set up. If I press and release the power button three times, I get a Dell test mode that says all the hardware is fine, but won't let me into the system to perform a Windows repair.

And to compound my stupidity, I didn't back up the files! I would like to at least get in there to see what's there and see if I can save to another medium before doing a complete Windows 10 reinstall. If I do the reinstall, I will reformat the drive (which is an SSD) as I may have had partition problems. But, then I'll lose everything that's on there.

Question: given these circumstances, how do I try to fix this. Should I make a boot Windows 10 disk on a memory stick? If that works, will I be able to get onto the PC's Windows and try to do a repair?

Folks, please be careful when attempting stuff like this. I should have left well enough alone or at least backed up before doing all this.

HELP!!!!?!!! TIA

[jrandom421]

14. Make a boot Windows 10 disk on a memory stick?

Yes, and when you boot with it, it gives you an option to repair your Windows 10 installation.

[DonaldsRump]

15. Am trying that tomorrow! Thank you for the suggestion. nt

[DonaldsRump]

16. Really appreciate this suggestion: it worked! (almost)

I made the USB boot disk using the Windows link you posted, and I was able to get back on to my computer! Thank you. That's a relief. At least I can now access my personal files.

There is one problem, though: when I remove the USB boot drive, the PC starts up for a second and then restarts. I see the Dell logo on the screen for a couple of seconds, the screen goes blank, and then starts over again in an infinite loop.

If I insert the boot disk, I am able to get into my PC and can see my files. This time, I will save them to other media.

When I was on my computer, I tried to do the Windows repair, but it said it couldn't. I was able to do a system restore, but only to a few hours before. Still, when I remove the USB drive, I can't get the laptop to work.

Should I just reinstall Windows 10 and be done with it? If so, should I reformat my SSD? Also, should I partition the SSD before reinstalling Windows 10, separating the OS from personal files?

I've had some experience doing this in the past, but not much. I'm looking for the quickest way to have a functioning up to date laptop, so all recommendations are happily welcome!

[jrandom421]

17. Back up your files

And then be done with it.

[LeftInTX]

18. My computer locked me out, so I had no choice

I had made the start up disk earlier...

(I had not done back ups for about a month)

I was given a prompt to back up my files while running the installation.
I was surprised that I was able to do this or that it was even an option.

So, I transferred them to a portable hard drive.

Afterwards, I proceeded with a clean install.

Hope you had success!!