Cannot upgrade from Windows 10 1709 to 1903

I'm trying to update one instance of Windows 10 and I cannot, for the love of God, update it. I did everything I can think of:

1. Clear Windows Update cache.
2. Use Reset-WindowsUpdate.ps1 in PowerShell.
3. Use Windows Update Assistant.
4. Mount the latest Windows 10 (I know, it's 1909, but one needs to update to 1903 first before 1909) and use setup.exe to do an on-top install to keep the files and apps intact.
5. Use the Windows Update Troubleshooting tool (this says it cannot fix the update database, for some reason).
6. Use SFC /scannow
7. Use DISM.

All these methods lead to either a "failed update" message, an unfinished update while Windows 10 is "updating and restarting", and the like. Here is the WindowsUpdate.log from the Get-WindowsUpdateLog cmdlet if it matters: WindowsUpdate.log

Thanks in advance for the help!

kevindd992002 said:

the latest Windows 10 (I know, it's 1909

The latest is 2004 as shown below:

Matthew Wai said:

The latest is 2004 as shown below:

I know but it's still not available here in the Philippines. At least it's not available for all Windows 10 machines we have at home.

Try to download 2004 as per this tutorial: Download Windows 10 ISO File
Then try clean installing 2004 after you Create Bootable USB Flash Drive to Install Windows 10

Caledon Ken said:

Hi Kevin.


How much free space do you have, please ensure at least 25GB.


Your log has lots of references to Avast. Please uninstall, not disable, uninstall, all third party AV's.


V2004 may not be ready for your machine, my 8th gen Intel is in the boat.


Not to conflict with Matthew but I would use the boot media you have. You can skip versions, 1909 is quite sound.

I only have around 16GB of free space which is probably why, I had a hunch. I was just giving MS the benefit of the doubt that they should've made their update process intelligent enough to tell the users they need more space for the update.

Hmm, that's interesting. So the new v2004 are only for newer gens? I haven't checked my personal rig that has an 8th gen chip too though.

- - - Updated - - -

Matthew Wai said:

Try to download 2004 as per this tutorial: Download Windows 10 ISO File
Then try clean installing 2004 after you Create Bootable USB Flash Drive to Install Windows 10

Clean installing meaning remove all files and apps? Or just on-top install?

Ztruker said:

Uninstall Avast using the Avast Removal Tool.
Free up as much hard drive space as possible. You need 20 to 25GB.
Disconnect everything except mouse, keyboard and display, EVERYTHING.
If you have more than one hard drive, disconnect all except the drive you will be updating.

Try upgrading to 1909. If still no good, do a Clean Boot and try the upgrade again.

Ok. Will the Windows Update Assistant consist of the latest Win10 version that's applicable to this system?

kevindd992002 said:

Clean installing meaning remove all files and apps? Or just on-top install?

Delete all of the partitions shown below:

kevindd992002 said:

So the new v2004 are only for newer gens? I haven't checked my personal rig that has an 8th gen chip too though.

I use a 4th-gen CPU, and V2004 is available to my low-end PC. That said, if your Windows Update does not offer V2004, just use V1909.