upgrading 8.1 to 10

yu gnomi · 07 Aug 2015

I currently have 8.1 x64 Uefi/Gpt, and am downloading my GWX windows 10 update (I just checked on it and there is an error code - I want to finish my question tho). When I install Windows 10, what happens to the extra partitions on my boot drive (e.g. EFI, Restore tools and Restore image) - do they get updated to windows 10 versions, do I get more extra partitions, or what.

Also, I've read that Win 10 does away with the restore image partition. So if I find I still have one after the update, can I destroy it?

sn00ker · 07 Aug 2015

From what I understood it if you have an preinstalled brand name computer ( HP, Dell, Toshiba and so on ) the hidden partition stay intact . So if you were to upgrade to 10 you have 30 days to roll back but that has nothing to do with the hidden partition . After 30 days you will no longer be able to roll back . There a windows old folder which is for the roll back under the C drive but once the 30 days are gone it gets deleted . Though, if you ever wanted to reinstall the original factory OS you can because your hidden partition should still work regardless . Your best bet would be to get assistance from MS and be sure, right ? Either call or chat with them

Ztruker · 07 Aug 2015

Before you upgrade to Windows 10, do an image backup of your hard drive to an external USB 3.0 hard drive ($50 to $60 on Amazon Prime) using Macrium Reflect Free.

Once you have that you can restore your computer to exactly where you are now if anything goes wrong or you don't like Windows 10. That's the only sure way for recovery.

yu gnomi · 08 Aug 2015

tried repeatedly to upgrade to win 10 yesterday. When attempting by win update, it would download and begin to install and then quit partway through with error 80070003. Tried trick of stop wuauserv, rename dl folder, start wuauserv again and force update. Ended up with same error. Tried to upgrade via media creation tool, and it downloaded and went partway through the process, and then quit saying "Something happened. Win 10 installation has failed."

I tried a few other things, like un-install Start8 and running tweaking.com Windows Repair, with same results. Before I attempted the upgrade for the first time I had already un-installed Norton Security Suite and was using Windows Defender, and had disabled secure boot. Giving up for now, have cancelled my reservation so it isn't constantly downloading every time I start up my PC.

Willing to read any suggestions given, might be a few days before I act on them.

yu gnomi · 08 Aug 2015

regarding my first post. I built my PC myself, so there is no OEM partition. I have always assumed that the 9GB partition on my boot drive, that was created during install by Windows, held an image for "System Refresh" feature. I just want to know if I can destroy that partition after upgrading to win 10. If I am wrong about that partition, please let me know.

regarding Macrium reflect image & USB, I already backed up my boot drive with Macrium and have an image on my internal HDD. Will copy latest image to my external HDD before I attempt to upgrade again.