Windows 10 1909 needs upgrade (I think)

[Han Solo]

So I've been getting messages telling me I need to upgrade windows 10 because 1909 will no longer be supported sometime in May. How do I upgrade and to which version? I say I think because I don't like to make these types of changes until the 11th hour and considering all the problems lately with the latest versions of Win 10 I don't think I've been far off. Anyway it may time to change it to the new OS.

 

[zbook]

Download to the desktop windows 10 20H2 > perform an in place upgrade repair
Download Windows 10

or use the upgrade assistant

 

[axe0]

Windows Update in the Settings app, easiest option in my opinion. Windows Update does require your installation to be up to date, otherwise those updates will be installed first.

 

[britechguy]

You always want to update to the latest version of Windows 10, which is what always happens if you use the Update Assistant (the Update now button on the Windows 10 download page, link given by @zbook) or you can also try

• Doing a Windows 10 Repair Install or Feature Update Using the Windows 10 ISO file

which is my personal preference only because you know you have all the components necessary to complete the feature update already resident on your computer if you have a fresh copy of the ISO. I have had issues with the Update Assistant secondary to the internet connection going wonky, sometimes very late in the process, and it triggering a roll back. But if you have a rock solid internet connection the Update Assistant is about as easy a method as you can find.

 

[britechguy]

It does require your installation to be up to date, otherwise those updates will be installed first.

Just as a note, it doesn't require this. I have updated systems where Windows Update somehow became broken jumping over several Feature Updates, e.g., 1803 straight to 1909.

I couple of years ago I got machines that were NOS that still had the initial release on them and I jumped them up at least 4 versions with no need for any intermediate versions having ever been applied.

This is one of the beauties of Windows 10, each Feature Update is pretty much self-contained and does not depend on prior updates having been done. They replace the whole OS (if needed) for all practical intents and purposes.

 

[axe0]

Just as a note, it doesn't require this. I have updated systems where Windows Update somehow became broken jumping over several Feature Updates, e.g., 1803 straight to 1909.

I meant specifically when using Windows Update, from personal experience other updates are installed first then feature updates which is why I assume it's a requirement when using Windows Update. I do see how my post could be read different from what I meant so I'll change it.

 

[britechguy]

I meant specifically when using Windows Update

Thanks for the clarification and revision. This is one of the reasons when a machine happens along that, for whatever reason, is nowhere near to the current Windows 10 version and needs to be brought up to date that I favor the ISO update method or Update Assistant.

 

[Han Solo]

I downloaded the windows update assistant and during the update I got a "system thread exception not handled in windows" error message.

 

[britechguy]

I am now confused, in that you do not download the Windows Update Assistant (not in the conventional sense, anyway) you just kick the process off using a button on the Windows 10 Download Page.

If that's where the issue is arising, then I would use the ISO method, and I suggest being disconnected from the internet during the update and, when asked if you want to download the latest updates, answering, "No."

Windows 10 will take care of all of those updates via the usual Windows Update process after internet connectivity is reestablished after the version update is complete.

 

[Han Solo]

Well it seems I downloaded some kind of executable file which then proceeded to download the necessary files. Then it asked for the PC to be restarted to complete the process. When I returned I saw the error message.

 

[britechguy]

Well it seems I downloaded some kind of executable file which then proceeded to download the necessary files.

Just know that this is the kind of statement that no assistant can use to help in any way. You need to be able to identify what executable, by name, before anyone can even attempt to give accurate advice with regard to this specific situation.

That being said, I'm sticking by my earlier advice to use the Feature Update via the ISO method. If that doesn't work, then the next step would be either opening a topic on the Windows Update forum here at Sysnative or doing a completely clean reinstall.

 

[axe0]

Try the process of upgrading again and do not leave, depending on the stage the upgrading process is in a dump file may not be there anymore because Windows will revert changes to allow you to boot. Take note of what you see before a crash occurs.

 

[Han Solo]

I did attempt the ISO Method and I did get the same error message. Unfortunately I did not stay to see what happened before the crash. I don't know if it made a difference but when mounting the ISO I used the windows explorer method in order to start the installation.

 

[Han Solo]

I ran the ISO method again but this time to keep a closer eye on the process. The installation crashes about 70 minutes into the process and both times I get the "system thread exception not handled in windows" error message. Bothe time I get the following as well.

 

[britechguy]

See: Windows 10 Update 2004 / 20H2 - Error 0xc1900101

There are various reasons for this error, but this at least gives Microsoft's "official" troubleshooting steps for it. There are also many other potential options returned in this search: Windows Update error 0xC1900101 at DuckDuckGo and windows update error 0xc1900101 - 0x30017 at DuckDuckGo

If you do have a third party security suite, I'd disable it at a minimum, or uninstall it.

 

[Han Solo]

Since my last post I made 3 attempts yesterday and all failed. On the first attempt I added optional update KB5001648 despite the fact that I have been told n the past to never add optional updates. On the second attempt I uninstalled Malwarebytes but didn't do a complete restart after the uninstallation of Malwarebytes. I don't think it would have made a difference but after doing that the installation of Windows 10 20H2 didn't work. The last attempt I disabled virtualization (vmx) in bios which for some reason I left enabled. On all attempts it seems that after initializing installation the PC restarts at 80% and when it reaches about 28% after restart it crashes, I suppose trying to make another reboot. After which I get the aforementioned error messages.

 

[britechguy]

Either start a topic in the Windows Update forum if you're determined to exhaust all possible avenues before doing a completely clean install (after backing up all user data and collecting the program installers you'll need) or go directly for the completely clean reinstall.

 

[zbook]

1) List and uninstall all non-Microsoft antivirus software
(This includes always on and manual software.)
(This includes running the applicable antivirus uninstall tools for any AV that could have been incompletely uninstalled)
https://www.bitdefender.com/consumer/support/answer/2625/

2) List and uninstall all non-Microsoft firewall software

3) List all Microsoft and non-Microsoft drive encryption software.
Uninstall all non-Microsoft disk encryption software



4) For Windows upgrade failures some options are:

a) troubleshooting
b) custom install
c) reset save files
d) windows refresh
e) clean install


5) For troubleshooting:

a) Please run:

Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) Posting Instructions - Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7 + Vista

Windows Update Forum Posting Instructions
(steps 2 to 5)

b) Post share links for: (if found)(voidtools)

C:\$Windows.~BT\Sources\Rollback
C:\$Windows.~BT\Sources\Panther
setupmem.dmp
C:\Windows\inf\setupapi.dev.log

For share links please use: OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox

 

[Han Solo]

Got it. After several attempts I finally got it to install successfully. I had to "Uninstall all non-Microsoft disk encryption software" and in my case it was dcrypt_1.1.846.118 (diskcryptor) using revo uninstaller. It seems it's not compatible with windows 10 except for the new beta versions. Upon starting the PC I went to see if any updates were needed. All updates were installed except for "Security intelligence updates for Microsoft Defender Antivirus and other Microsoft antimalware KB2267602 (Version 1.333.1627.0) (3) error code 0x80070643". I suppose it's because I am using Malwarebytes instead of windows defender.

 

[britechguy]

Malwarebytes should not, ever, be blocking Windows Defender definition updates. Even when Windows Defender is not active as the protection product, the definition updates will be downloaded so that if you were to want to do an offline scan, prior to Windows being loaded, on restart you want to have the latest definitions available for that.

This could be a fluke, but I'd still try: Using SFC (System File Checker) and DISM (Deployment Imaging Servicing and Management) to Repair Windows 8 & 10

It can't hurt anything at all, and it's easy enough to do.