windows 10 won't update to 1803

[imdavroz]

So i got back my pc from medion, and the hard drive was wiped. My pc came back with an outdated version of windows 10, build 10240.

Now, i tried the windows update thing, but everytime it starts over, like it prepares for the update, then downloads the update, and after that it just stops and goes back to preparing the update.

I tried using windows update assistent or whatever it is called, but after waiting a long time it says there's already something going on, that being the ''preparing and downloading update'' cycle.

I am out of ideas, it gives no errors whatsoever, it just keeps repeating. Any ideas?

 

[Peter Martin]

use the Windows Media Creation tool (free) and create the newest bootable image on a cheap USB stick. if you have UEFI, you can boot to it and install it. But first, back up all your data (mine is in cloud and external drives) then disconnect all but the boot drive, boot to your usb and use windows installer to nuke all partitions on your target boot drive and do a fresh install.

https://windows-media-creation-tool.en.softonic.com/

I have seen this several times now, machines that cannot update, we have to just install new/clean and be done with it.

 

[TechyInAZ]

So what your going to want to do is backup your files and put the latest windows 10 build on a USB stick. it's super easy, just use the windows 10 update assistant to put the windows 10 ISO on the usb drive. Once done, reboot, boot onto the thumb drive and go from there.

You'll have to reinstall your programs but there is a way to keep your files. However i'd recommend doing a clean install anyways.

Unfortunately on older windows builds, they're running older versions of windows update which is most likely the culprit.

 

[imdavroz]

use the Windows Media Creation tool (free) and create the newest bootable image on a cheap USB stick. if you have UEFI, you can boot to it and install it. But first, back up all your data (mine is in cloud and external drives) then disconnect all but the boot drive, boot to your usb and use windows installer to nuke all partitions on your target boot drive and do a fresh install.

https://windows-media-creation-tool.en.softonic.com/

I have seen this several times now, machines that cannot update, we have to just install new/clean and be done with it.

Okay i have a couple of questions;

When i look up my bios it says 110H4W0X.111, does that matter?
Also, when i use the windows media creation tool, it will be a legitimate copy right? Like i won't lose any windows license or something?
And how big should the USB be? And can i use the usb again after that for different files?

Andi now see that TechyInAZ has commented that i should use windows 10 update assistant for it. So which one do i use? windows media creation tool or windows 10 update assistant?

 

[Peter Martin]

Don't mess with BIOS unless you need bug fixes that fix SPECIFIC problems you are having, or to support newly installed devices, or for security reasons and new security features.

You can still use your current Windows License information once windows is installed when you activate it. Get that handy.

Your BIOS version should be fine unless you were having issues previously and determined an update is what you needed. Generally, again, I never mess with BIOS unless necessary, and cautiously at that.

 

[imdavroz]

Don't mess with BIOS unless you need bug fixes that fix SPECIFIC problems you are having, or to support newly installed devices, or for security reasons and new security features.

You can still use your current Windows License information once windows is installed when you activate it. Get that handy.

wait so i need the product key to activate it again?

 

[Peter Martin]

well, if this were a laptop, it comes burned in your BIOS, but you, yes. let me look up how to find it.

https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/product_cd_key_viewer.html

you need to write that stuff down mate. When you get a new machine or activate, write it down, email it to yourself and never lose it.

 

[imdavroz]

But still, can i use the USB after this again for other files?
And should i use windows 10 update assistant or windows media creation for putting it on the USB?
And what is UEFI? is it a sort of BIOS?

 

[Peter Martin]

You can still download and make a good usb installer with that media creation tool (it's what I used so I know it works. I had issues with others)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unified_Extensible_Firmware_Interface

if this is a newer machine, and I think it is, it has UEFI

i would not use the update assistant in your case. just a fresh install is best of 1803

 

[imdavroz]

You can still download and make a good usb installer with that media creation tool (it's what I used so I know it works. I had issues with others)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unified_Extensible_Firmware_Interface

So i can still do this even if i have BIOS and not UEFI?
(sorry for asking so much but i want this to go right for once)

 

[Peter Martin]

if you have BIOS I think you will need to download the latest windows ISO and make a DVD

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/windows-usb-dvd-download-tool

this is the real deal too. get it only from them

 

[imdavroz]

if you have BIOS I think you will need to download the latest windows ISO and make a DVD

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/windows-usb-dvd-download-tool

this is the real deal too. get it only from them

Phew luckily i got UEFI, so i can just put the windows 10 on an USB, put it in my computer and then it will work?

 

[imdavroz]

Okay one more thing, How do i do this.
I put that stuff on the USB, then what? Do I just plug the usb in while windows is still on, or do i need to shut it down first and boot it up with the USB?

 

[Peter Martin]

it should, unless you have hardware issues.... but i doubt it if it was working before. it should be spanky clean and new, just install all your programs again and get your data and it will update itself normally.

 

[imdavroz]

it should, unless you have hardware issues.... but i doubt it if it was working before. it should be spanky clean and new, just install all your programs again and get your data and it will update itself normally.

So i can just put it on usb, and then run it without needing to shut down windows and stuff?

 

[Peter Martin]

no, you need to reboot onto the usb. you may need to set boot order in your bios but my notebook defaulted to usb first

 

[USAFRet]

it should, unless you have hardware issues.... but i doubt it if it was working before. it should be spanky clean and new, just install all your programs again and get your data and it will update itself normally.

So i can just put it on usb, and then run it without needing to shut down windows and stuff?

No, you need to power off, and then boot from that USB thing you created.

 

[imdavroz]

So i booted from the usb drive with windows on it, and now im getting asked about 2 options:

If i want to install ONLY windows,
Or if i want to install a windows version with my files amd settings and stuff

Which should i choose?

 

[imdavroz]

Also it is constantly talking abiut windows 8.1 and windows server 2012, is this really windows 10?

 

[Peter Martin]

you don't have Windows 10
get it here
https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=691209

use this creation tool to make your usb, then shut down and boot onto that

 

[USAFRet]

Also it is constantly talking abiut windows 8.1 and windows server 2012, is this really windows 10?

The people who you sent your PC to have completely screwed it up.

You need to do a full wipe and reinstall of Win 10.
Create your own WIn 10 USB here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

Then...
How to do a CLEAN installation of Windows 10

Section II, Step 6 & 7 speaks to deleting all the existing partitions. Anything "Win 8.1" or "ServerWhatever" will be gone.

 

[imdavroz]

Yeah i got the windows 10 one now, thanks for the help. The people at medion may have fixed the hardware issues, but got me an outdated windows 10 version.

It says that my partitions on the disk dont have the right order, what can i do about that?

 

[USAFRet]

Yeah i got the windows 10 one now, thanks for the help. The people at medion may have fixed the hardware issues, but got me an outdated windows 10 version.

It says that my partitions on the disk dont have the right order, what can i do about that?

During the install....DELETE all existing partitions.
Start with one blank space.

 

[imdavroz]

So even though it said that the partitions went in the wrong order, i continued anyway. Does that mean i will just have to wait till it says i can delete the partitions?
Or do i need to cancel it and delete them beforehand

 

[USAFRet]

So even though it said that the partitions went in the wrong order, i continued anyway. Does that mean i will just have to wait till it says i can delete the partitions?
Or do i need to cancel it and delete them beforehand

Well...I have no idea exactly where you are in the install process.

I'd start over again.
Read and understand the above link.