When it's time to upgrade to a newer version, Microsoft has to deal with hundred's of thousands of different combinations of hardware and software.
They check their update/upgrades on thousands of them, but there are always some that will slip through.
That's why they came up with the In-Place Upgrade. It upgrades and fixes Windows, without messing up the computer.
See post #30, I've edited it 5-6 times.
Granted that bypasses the protection MS tries to afford:
But bypassing that protection is at the user's risk, who must then take due precautions and test thoroughly.Safeguard holds only affect devices that use the Window Update service for updates. We encourage IT admins who manage updates to devices through other channels (such as media installations or updates coming from Windows Server Update Services) to remain aware of known issues that might also be present in their environments.
If an upgrade is done with Windows Update active, surely at any time drivers could be upgraded- plus you get whatever drivers are in the iso you've downloaded, don't you?
And of course a user may really need or wish to do a clean install.
So While I haven't had any trouble with any updates there is just one issue. I bought my Zephrus G14 laptop in 2020. But I ended up having to do a manufacturer reset because I messed up a setting in April of 2021. When I went to download windows updates I missed a very important update build which was the Windows 10 May 2020 update (2004) which allowed for for A2DP sink for bluetooth. This would allow functionallity to stream audio from my phone to my PC (Allows you to make your windows PC into speakers). I need this for things like conference calls and also for some of my streaming gigs. I currently have Windows 10 version 21H1 installed. I technically don't want to go back to a previous version of windows. I want to just get a few features that I missed from the May 2020 update. If I used this ISO without doing a fresh install what would happen? Would it mess up my windows?
Maybe, maybe not with the Build updates but I'd say Yes if going back to an earlier twice-yearly Version Upgrade. The Version Upgrade seems to do more rewriting/updating of the Registry, witnessed on my computers by taking out some customizations and the old WinXP games I like to use so I keep them on the computer's drive for easy reinstall.Would it mess up my windows?
An in place upgrade repair can fix many problems and is relatively easy.
The iso can be downloaded to the desktop or to a flash drive.
The flash drive can be saved in case there are any future boot failures.
An old iso can be used for Windows Recovery Environment (RE) even after multiple upgrades.
If the in place upgrade fails there are many troubleshooting steps depending upon the error message and or code.
If an in place upgrade fails despite troubleshooting steps end users can perform these steps: (all require the reinstallation of drivers and applications)
a) Windows refresh
b) Reset save files
c) Reset remove files
d) Custom install
e) Clean install
This is an old thread with title:
Where to download an old version of windows 10?
It may appear on google search.
This is information as of today 03/17/2024:
See option #4 in this link:
Download Windows 10 ISO File
Wish I had known, just this last week have been 'cleaning house' and deleted a bunch of old MCT downloads from storage drives and cleaning a few bootable USB Thumb drives of files/creations using the MCT, haven't kept anything more than a couple years old.
Piggy back here, but I am at my wits end trying to figure out this forum. I just lost my c drive, and all I had was windows 7 and the windows 10 upgrade dvd.
When I put it on this last week, windows downloaded build 1511 Pro. Can I use what everyone has been saying in the past 4 pages of this chat about this ms tool and grab the newest build (22h2 Pro?)and put it on? Ghut and Dalchina seem to be pretty smart in my book, from what I have been reading, but I best ask, first. Thanks in advance.
Since Win10 was running it most likely was Activated. Version 1511 is way old by 8 years. I'd try to get the latest and install but there may be some drivers issues. There most likely will be issues with reinstalling Win7 and trying the Upgrade mostly due to EOL/End of Life for activating Win7. Win10 is now at Version 22H2. 22 = 2022 H = Half 2 = Second Half Once Win10 is installed there will be some updates.
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