My version of Windows has been out-of-date for a long time

ZomBrony · 12 Oct 2016

Believe me, I've tried getting the updates. I tried relentlessly at one point, but it's as if my system just refuses to update to version 1511. I had come to accept this issue by now, but I just realised today that the OS is already on version 1607, and maybe even more than that.

Why won't my computer update? The 1511 update always fails and I have no idea why. I think my inability to update to 1511 is also the cause of so many other updates failing. I'll try installing version 1607 now, but I doubt it'll work.

dalchina · 12 Oct 2016

Hi, try manually updating. There's a guide to getting the iso in the Tutorials section.. Microsoft media creation tool. I prefer to have a physical bootable medium as it can be used for certain repairs.

Please be cautious: create a full disk image using e,g, Macrium Reflect (free) before updating. Some people experience significant difficulties.

We strongly recommend using disk imaging to everyone, routinely, for all your partitions and disks.

Bree · 12 Oct 2016

There are two main types of updates, the Features Updates (first the 'Fall Update' to 1511, now the 'Anniversary Update' 1607) and the Cumulative updates that patch bugs and security issues. The two are installed quite differently too - Features Updates are a complete install of a new OS, cumulative updates patch the existing system.

There may be issues that prevent your upgrading to 1511 or 1607 (and dalchina has already suggested ways round that) but that doesn't necessarily mean your system is 'out-of-date'. The same bug/security fixes are still being issued as cumulative updates for all three versions. Run Winver to see what build yours is. If yours says build 10240.17146 then you are as up-to-date as it's possible to be, you just don't have the latest features.

Updates for Windows 10 (initial version released July 2015)

October 11, 2016—KB3192440 (OS Build 10240.17146)

https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/...update-history

On the other hand, if you're not getting the CUs either you have deeper problems that (for your own security) should be dealt with ASAP.

dalchina · 13 Oct 2016

Following from Bree's post, where people have an issue with Windows update, because an upgrade (e.g. to 1607) is effectively a new Windows installation, this tends to resolve such problems.

Please note that should you succeed, there are issues with recent updates- difficulty in downloading and installing. See the News section here on those updates if interested.

Disk imaging can definitely be your friend here if things go amiss.