Reinstalling Windows 10 from Retail Box USB

Keith Weisshar · 15 Nov 2020

The Retail Box USB contains v1809 of Windows 10. After installing the original version and then going through OOBE and opting in to get the latest from Windows it only updates to v1909 from Windows Update. After a long install of v1909 from Windows Update, I tried manually checking for update and there are no updates to v2009 and only cumulative updates for the current version were available? Why is v2009 not available through Windows Update even when checking manually for updates? I have an ASUS Maximus XI Hero Wi-Fi motherboard with I7-9900K CPU and RTX 2060 graphics card.

Matthew Wai · 15 Nov 2020

The latest version can be downloaded from https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/soft...oad/windows10/

Try3 · 15 Nov 2020

Before trying a manual update to a more recent version, make a system image, check your imaging utility's boot disk still works and backup your own files.

You can get the ISO file for running the update using a variety of methods, a variety of go-betweens - all for getting ISOs that come from MS.
Download Official Windows 10 ISO file from Microsoft - TenForumsTutorials
I use TechBench by WZT. Some others prefer different go-betweens.

You can run the update using the downloaded ISO file.
Repair Install [aka InPlace upgrade] - TenForumsTutorials

You can also use that ISO file to make an installation disk [an InstallUSB that is also a handy repair tool]
Create a Bootable USB Flash Drive to Install Windows 10 - TenForumsTutorials
- The ISO file can be used to update the computer
- The ISO file can be used to repair the computer
- The InstallUSB can be used to update the computer
- The InstallUSB can be used to repair the computer
- The InstallUSB can be used to clean install Windows 10
- The InstallUSB can be used to custom install Windows 10
Clean Install - TenForumsTutorials
Custom Install - TenForumsTutorials

Denis

sn00ker · 15 Nov 2020

Don't even waste your time with what you got from the box, the only thing you really need is the license keys, afterwards just use the latest version from Microsoft website. I think they shouldn't even put a windows version on the flash drive, a simple blank flash drive would be better

Matthew Wai · 15 Nov 2020

Without a Windows version on the flash drive, you cannot install Windows. Without an installed version of Windows, you cannot download the latest version. Not all users have Windows PE, Linux Live, or another device connected to the Internet.

sn00ker · 15 Nov 2020

Well, if that were true having a computer with windows installed would be the least of the person problem. I'll go on a limb and say Keith doesn't have that problem

Keith Weisshar · 15 Nov 2020

Why is v2009 only available through Update Assistant or MCT but not through Windows Update which only offers v1909? Even if I update to v1909 through Windows Update it still won't offer any later feature update.

NavyLCDR · 15 Nov 2020

Microsoft has apparently deemed that their 2004 and 20H2 versions are not compatible with your computer yet.

sygnus21 · 15 Nov 2020

@Keith Weisshar,

Just FYI, there is no Intel i7-9900K. There's an Intel i9-9900K, and an i7-9700K. Just FYI.

As for your issue, you could either wait for Microsoft to deem your system worthy, or you can try a clean install using the latest MCT providing the 20H2 update. That's what I did

However, my machine was already updated to 2004. I did a clean install because I'd developed a couple of issues.... (NOT related to any 2004 issue). Anyway, in doing the clean install I got the 202H2 update as well and all is good.

My approach was to get the OS and updates installed before installing a host of drivers outside the critical ones - board drivers, NVME drivers. Afterwards I got the OS completely installed before installing anymore drivers - GPU, sound, others. Worked for me. No issues.

Good luck.

Keith Weisshar · 16 Nov 2020

NavyLCDR, where is the incompatibility that is blocking v2004 and 20H2 from being delivered through Windows Update?