Is it mandatory to fully update Windows 10 before upgrading?

I have a customer's system, a Gateway NV73a24u laptop (AMD Athlon II X2 P340/4 GB/640 GB), whose hard drive failed due to too many bad sectors. Replaced hard drive with a SanDisk 240 GB SSD. Tried to clean install 1607, and it stalled on "Checking for updates" for days.

Installed Windows 7 SP1, OEM and basic Gateway drivers, same thing.

Blanked SSD and tried again, this time fully updating Windows 7 before successfully updating to Win 10, 10240. (I was trying for 1703, but the MCT downloaded 10240 (???)). But, at least I've got Windows 10 now. Updated one round of normal updates successfully.

So, I tried to update to 1607 as an in-place upgrade, and I got stuck on "Checking for updates". Again. I stopped the upgrade and am trying to update the laptop manually.

What gives? Do I have to keep updating this laptop manually until I'm at 1607? Thanks in Advance.

No updates are necessary for an install or upgrade. Normally, I install or upgrade to Windows 10 by not allowing it to connect to the internet until it is done installing. I always create a local account first. Only after it is done and setup fully with a local account, then I either plug in the Ethernet cable or give it the password to the WiFi.

Well then. Sounds logical; I've had to do that with .msu (standalone) updates. I'll try that and get back to you. Thanks.

EDIT: added sentence about msu updates.

sgtaylor5 said:

...I was trying for 1703, but the MCT downloaded 10240 (???)...

It does that if you use an old copy of the MCT. When a new version of Windows 10 is released a new MCT is too. Each MCT is designed for a specific version, and will continue to download its version after a new one is released. I have kept a collection of all the old MCTs so I can make media for any version I need.

Right-click on a MCT and look at 'Properties > Details' to see which build it was made for.

That explains it. So if I rename all my MCT's for each version, that would help. Thank you.