Windows 2004 update failed - Could not finish the installation

erikse · 27 Jun 2020

Windows 2004 update failed and now Windows will not start, only shows a message - Could not finish the installation.

Windows 2004 update failed - Could not finish the installation-win-2004-fail.jpg

My own translation:

"Could not finish the installation. If you want to install Windows on your computer, you can run the installer again."

I don't have an optical drive nor any bootable USB is there any way I can get around this?

The computer only has one drive with one volume (C:) but I have 2 VHDs that I can boot into (thanks @Kari) so it's no problem to access C: and make changes that way if needed.

I have tried several options on the "Recovery screen" but nothing has worked so far.

This Dell is 3 years and should be no problem, I thought. I have three much older PCs; 7-10 years old (Thinkpad, Asus & HP); and they all upgraded with no problem at all. (Amazingly that they still work with 2004 and with only 3-4 GB RAM.)

One difference that I believe should not make a difference is that this one has Dual boot (VHDs).

How do I go forward or revert to the old Windows version?

/*
And Yes, all updates were offered by Windows Update.
And No, I don't have any backup...
*/

dalchina · 27 Jun 2020

Hi, you might try
[Solved] | Windows Could Not Complete The Installation | Quickly & Easily - Driver Easy

(I've not watched this- just found it)
YouTube

I don't have an optical drive nor any bootable USB is there any way

From the huge Tutorial section (feel free to browse and search)
Windows 10 Tutorial Index

see
Create Bootable USB Flash Drive to Install Windows 10
Download Windows 10 ISO File

And No, I don't have any backup...

Perhaps the sense of mild panic you might be feeling will prompt you to create one: start with routine use of disk imaging e.g. Macrium Reflect - free - + large enough external storage for image files.

You can then recover from non-bootable cases, theft (securely store backup), ransomware, failed disk (restore to a new one) and even restore to a new PC.

How do I ----- revert to the old Windows version?

I don't know if this will help in your particular situation:
Go Back to the Previous Version of Windows in Windows 10

Please note, build 2004 is not bug-free. See the Known and resolved issues in the News section for a start. Some have noted 1 or more of the bugs and reverted.

erikse · 27 Jun 2020

@dalchina Great, I will work through the links you suggested. Thanks.