1709 -> 1909 - update fails - no matter what I do.

Hi guys.

This is my first question ever related to windows - over the many years I was able to do the research and solve the problem on my own - but this time it is a dead end.

I had windows 7 that I upgraded to windows 10 pro x64.
It was updating itself to a certain point, around the end of year 2018 the major update was unable to install - got an error in the updater - so I postponed it.

I got back to it a couple of days ago and was on version 1703 - couldn't update further due to update error.

After fiddling with it, resetting updater etc (nothing worked) I unpaused or just turned off the postpone of the update.

This somehow unclogged it and updates got installed (mainly security updates for office package).

Now I am on version 1709 build 16299.1087 and cannot install any updates due to an error.

The story is always the same: "Feature update to Windows 10, version 1903 - Error 0x800700c1"

What I did so far (everything failed)

1. Resetting udpater via script (clearing download folder etc)
2. sfc /scannnow - three time with reboots - it finds some hash mismatches in some files
3. tried DISM - didn't worked - get an error 87
4. Repaired boot manager (something like that) with:
5. bootrec /RebuildBcd - couldn't find a file so nothing was done
6. bootrec /fixMbr - fixed
7. bootrec /fixboot - couldn't find something or so - nothing was done
8. Used media creation tool and tried upgrade from there - it got to an 88% (it always does) and update failed.
9. Downloaded windows upgrade - same as above - 88% and failed
10. Finally - I created iso image with media creation tool - and tried install/upgrade windows from there - same as above - 88% and failed.
11. Scanned system with malwarebytes, adaware, superbug etc - nothing found except of some old ad tracking cookies

Somewhere in between I was trying to do it manually via update catalog but what I found was that any update that is newer than April 2019 is not applicable for my system - so I gave up on this.

So basically nothing works (except of formatting the drive and clean install but that is the last resort and nod very welcome )

Installing from windows update always goes the same way - it installs to 35% - then it stalls for like 20 min - then proceeds and fails at 88% with error:

"Feature update to Windows 10, version 1903 - Error 0x800700c1"

Windows tried to update itself today to version 1909 - and it failed with the same error at 88%:

"Feature update to Windows 10, version 1909 - Error 0x800700c1"

I posted this question on answers.microsoft.com - some guy helped a little and it apperas that Im lacking service stack - problem is that I don't know which KB - we deducted it from the setup diag log.

I would greatly appreciate any help in this matter.

Thanks and best regards to everyone,

Mac.

For Windows upgrade failures options are:
a) reset save files equivalent (reinstall drivers and applications)
b) backup important files > clean install
c) troubleshoot

There are log collectors used in another forum room.
Please run each V2 and DM and upload results into this thread:
BSOD - Posting Instructions

Make sure English is the default language so that the files can be scanned and read:
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/...dows-10-a.html
Change Display Language in Windows 10


1) Open administrative command prompt and type or copy and paste:
2) sfc /scannow
3) dism /online /cleanup-image /scanhealth
4) dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
5) sfc /scannow
6) chkdsk /scan
7) wmic recoveros set autoreboot = false
8) wmic recoveros set DebugInfoType = 7
9) bcdedit /enum {badmemory}

10) When these have completed > right click on the top bar or title bar of the administrative command prompt box > left click on edit then select all > right click on the top bar again > left click on edit then copy > paste into the thread

11) Make sure that there is no over clocking while troubleshooting.

12) In the left lower corner search type: system or system control > open system control panel > on the left pane click advanced system settings

a) > on the advanced tab under startup and recovery > click settings > post an image of the startup and recovery window into the thread

b) > on the advanced tab under performance > click on settings > on the performance options window > click on the advanced tab > under virtual memory > click on change > post an image of the virtual memory window into the thread

13) If the computer has Ccleaner (do not install the software if it is not already installed) > click windows tab or custom clean > scroll down to system and advanced > post an image into the thread

14) List and uninstall all non-Microsoft antivirus software
(This includes always on and manual software.)
(This includes running the applicable antivirus uninstall tools for any AV that could have been incompletely uninstalled)

15) List and uninstall all non-Microsoft firewall software

16) List all Microsoft and non-Microsoft drive encryption software.
Uninstall all non-Microsoft disk encryption software

17) Make sure Windows defender is on

18) Open disk management > by default some columns are compressed > widen each Status and Volume > make sure the contents within the parenthesis are in full view and that none of the characters are cutoff > view disk 0 > widen this row as needed so that all of the characters are in full view > post an image into the thread
Disk Management - How to Post a Screenshot of

19) Download and install Minitool Partition Wizard > post an image of the results into this thread
MiniTool Partition Wizard Free Edition - Free download and software reviews - CNET Download.com

20) Run setupdiag > post a share link
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/win...rade/setupdiag


21) Update the specs in the "My Computer" section:

System Specs - Fill in at Ten Forums
In the left corner below in your post you find 'My System Specs'.
After clicking it you can find a link a little below that says 'Update your System Spec', click on this link to get to the page where you can fill in your system specs.
System Info - See Your System Specs - Windows 7 Help Forums

Include PSU. cooler, case, peripherals and anything attached to the computer by wired or wireless (mouse, keyboard, headset, printer, xbox, USB wireless network card, etc.)




For all steps / tests please post images into the thread.

If there are any problems posting images please use share links: one drive, drop box, or google drive

Take Screenshot in Windows 10

How to Upload and Post Screenshots and Files at Ten Forums

"some guy helped a little and it appears that I'm lacking service stack - problem is that I don't know which KB"
This history will help you determine - https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4498140
But, from experience with stubborn computer that I support, that won't upgrade, it didn't make difference.
"So basically nothing works (except of formatting the drive and clean install but that is the last resort and not very welcome"
TBH; not what you want to hear, but rather than waste hours trying to diagnose, I do clean installs, after two failed tries whether client wants to or not. This has never failed and you are already two yrs behind.

Another vote for a Clean Install.Your patience is outstanding.

In-place upgrade might be another solution for you:

Repair Install Windows 10 with an In-place Upgrade

Thhe install procedure was update some time ago and your on such an old version you havent got it so a clean install is needed

To be honest - this is idiotic - microsoft allows to postpone update, then the update itself is so outdated that it can't be installed on older version.
I postponed it because of failed upgrade a year ago or so - when it wasn't so old.


By clean install you mean format the drive and go from boot?

Because I tried install it in place form disk created by media creation tool - and it failed.

Regards,
Mac

Well then - I think it is time to say goodbye to my old friend - we've been together for 6 years or so it hatched as a windows 7 and became something magnificent, but that inability to update bugs me at night.

I feel like shooting dead the limping horse.


New installation would be like the reincarnation I guess :)


P.S. - One question though: should I use my product key (from win 7) or use digital license linked to my microsoft account?

Regards,
Mac

micemincer said:

Well then - I think it is time to say goodbye to my old friend - we've been together for 6 years or so it hatched as a windows 7 and became something magnificent, but that inability to update bugs me at night.

I feel like shooting dead the limping horse.


New installation would be like the reincarnation I guess :)


P.S. - One question though: should I use my product key (from win 7) or use digital license linked to my microsoft account?

Regards,
Mac

Can you try the following:

Open Command Prompt and run:
net stop wuauserv

Run the upgrade again from your ISO.

EDIT: Delete the SoftwareDistribution folder as well, located in C:\Windows.