Unable to keep all programs and files using repair install method.

Are you:
a. booting and logging in normally
b. mounting the iso file (rt click it, click Mount - available as default)
c. opening new drive letter created
d. double clicking setup.exe
?

And is the iso file you are using of the same base language and 'bitness' (32 or 64 bits as appropriate)?

See System Default UI Language of Windows 10
See Full Details about a Windows 10 ISO file or USB

You might find that Option 3 of
SFC-DISM - TenForumsTutorials
resolves matters but, if necessary you can do
Repair Install - TenForumsTutorials {note that, despite its name, this is a repair procedure not an installation}
using the v1909 ISO downloaded from
Download Windows 10 ISO File -TenForumsTutorials
If you find that you are still not being offered the choice of keeping your applications & data when using the tutorial method then that is unusual. There have been glitches in earlier Windows 10 Versions but I do not recall if v1909 was one of those awkward ones or not.


best of luck,
Denis

nitram said:

It is my understanding that I should be able to do this repair install using an ISO of the same version and build and have the option to keep all my installed programs and files, but in my situation, it seems not.

Are you starting the repair install correctly as described by dalchina in post #3?

If so, then there is one essential requirement if you are to be offered the option to keep installed programs and files. The base language of the Windows you are repairing and that of the ISO must be the same. If they are different languages that option will be greyed out.

To find the language of your installed Windows open a command prompt and type the command systeminfo | find "System Locale"



To check the language of the Windows in the ISO, see this tutorial.

See Full Details about a Windows 10 ISO file or USB

nitram said:

...One of the things I did notice is - the build number on the ISOs from both Heidoc and WZT is different. The current build number on my system is v1909 build 18363.418. I can only download ISOs with the build number v1909 build 18363 build 18362.1. I don't understand why that is.

!8362 was version 1903, 18363 was version 1909. Both versions share a common set of system files, the update from 1903 to 1909 being done by a small Enablement Package. Your 1909 ISO will contain in addition to the 18362 system files this enablement package, so using it for a clean install or an in-place repair install will end up with 18363 installed.

The minor build number .418 changes with each cumulative update. You can use an ISO with a lower minor build number because a check for updates after the install will get the latest available cumulative update.

With later builds a particular update caused this to happen:
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/an...-and-apps.html

You might be able to uninstall one or more particular updates.

Also, as you're on an old build and are reporting problems with it, have you yet run basic checks on
a. your disk e.g. Hard Disk Sentinel (excellent- SSDs too)
b your file system chkdsk c: /scan
c. your system files sfc /scannow
?

Please review step 13 here:
Repair Install Windows 10 with an In-place Upgrade

What exactly do you see at these stages? Please post photos. Thanks.

nitram said:

Denis - I tried DSIM and SFC first and both of those routines found errors and could not correct them.

C,

You ran SFC {Option 3} and then ran the Dism command identified in the notes at the end of Option 3 whilst connected, as it says, to the internet?

The Build number thing is nothing to worry about but I do think you have misread something.
- The first part if the Build No [18363] identifies the Version [1909].
- The second part of the Built No identifies the update state, which Cumulative update has been installed.
- MS makes their ISOs available for each Version and then, on a whim, updates to later ISOs of the same Version that incorporate some Cumulative updates.
- It is quite common to have to repeat the latest CU after running a Repair install in order to get back to the latest CU Build No.
but, in this case,
TechBench WZT offers v1909 Build 18363.418, the same as you have now, so you won't have to repeat any CUs at all.
[Build 16362 is v1903]



Would you mind stating why you have remained on Version 1909?
- It might be for a reason that can dealt with and allow you to update.
- Your current problem running a Repair install might not occur if updating to a later Version.



All the best,
Denis