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Feature update W10 v1903 failed to install-This solution WORKED for me
I lost count of the number of times and different ways I tried to update my W10 v.1809 to W10 v.1903 (the update usually reached 94% and then failed).
No error message was given, just the message, “Windows 10 installation has failed” along with an OK box. Very helpful.
sfc /scannow
could find nothing wrong but chkdsk c: /f /r /x only reached 17% before calling a halt.
Use sfc /scannow to repair Windows system files:
Use SFC Scannow to Repair Windows System Files
From an elevated command prompt (What is an Elevated Command Prompt?) run:
chkdsk c: /f /r /x
I also tried many of the suggestions below, all without success:
FIX: Windows 10 Update 1903 failed to install (Solved) - wintips.org - Windows Tips & How-tos
Windows 10 May 2019 Update common problems and how to fix them | Windows Central
Solved: Feature update to Windows 10 version 1903 Failed to Install
I concluded that my hard drive was corrupted and that there was no alternative but to wipe it and then do a fresh installation of W10 v.1903 from a USB drive.
Naturally I first backed up all personal data to an external hard drive.
NB All installed programs will be wiped and will require reinstallation (e.g. Security software, MS Office, Macrium Reflect etc).
Using Media Creation Tool, I created bootable installation media on a previously formatted (use quick format) USB drive (minimum 8GB):
Windows 10 Media Creation Tool For Version 1903
EDIT:
I first disabled Secure Boot in order to boot in UEFI mode:
How do I disable UEFI Secure Boot? – Official Avira Support | Knowledgebase & Customer Support | Avira
However, in BIOS/UEFI the USB drive was not recognised until I selected Legacy Boot.
I booted the PC with the USB bootable media (in BIOS enable Legacy Boot and set USB-HDD to boot first).
Click the Next button.
Click the Install now button.
Click the Skip button (or click on I don’t have a product key, if you are reinstalling.
If Windows 10 was already activated, after the installation it will re-activate automatically. Note that W10 is registered to a device, so even if the hard drive is changed the original MS W10 product key will still be recognised.
Check the I accept the license terms option.
Click the Next button.
Select the Custom: Install Windows only (advanced) option.
Select every partition in the hard drive (Drive 0:) and delete it.
Warning: Do NOT delete partitions on any other drive.
Select the hard drive (Drive 0 Unallocated Space) to install Windows 10.
Click the Next button.
After the installation, select your region in the first page of the out-of-the-box experience (OOBE).
Click the Yes button.
Select your keyboard layout
Click the Yes button.
If you’re not setting a second keyboard layout, click the Skip button.
I recommend not connecting to the internet at this stage. Do it later, especially if you wish to use a Local Account.
For a Local Account using a username and password (not a Microsoft Account) select “I don’t have Internet” option.
Choose “continue with a limited setup,” and you can proceed directly to the Local Account setup.
(If your device is using an Ethernet connection, your device will connect to the network automatically. If you’re using a wireless connection, you’ll need to set up the connection manually).
Choose additional preferences as required.
I do hope that this suggestion helps just one person to successfully install W10 v1903 without wasting valuable time and effort.
Good luck.
Last edited by Gaius; 23 Aug 2019 at 01:05.