Could not complete Win10 installation from USB

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  1. Posts : 5
    Windows 10
       #1

    Could not complete Win10 installation from USB


    I just bought and built a new computer, and a friend gave me a SSD to put the OS on. I got a free product key for Windows 10 Educational from my college, and I ran the 'MediaCreationToolRetail.exe', which the college had me download, on my laptop. Upon running it, I was able to choose from an ISO or a USB. I choose USB, which then downloads (what seems to be) the Windows 10 setup onto my USB drive. Plug this in to the new computer, run the Windows 10 Setup, create a partition on the SSD, and off it went. When it got to the point where it needed to restart, it just restarts into 'Windows could not complete the installation. To install Windows on this computer, restart the installation'. I tried with multiple partition sizes, which didn't work. I suspected the SSD may just not be working (very tech savvy analysis, if I say so myself), so I tried to install it to the Hard Drive, which didn't work. I then assumed that maybe something happened when the files were put onto the USB Drive, so I re-ran the MediaCreationTool, and tried all of the above, again, and it didn't work. I'm at a loss.

    I've spent the last few hours talking to a very nice user over at TomsHardware, and he asked me to post here. Here's the link (he had me try some things):
    http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-3327335/complete-installation-usb.html#19274117
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 30,120
    Windows 11 Pro x64 Version 23H2
       #2

    Welcome to the TenForums @SirClopsALot

    Here is the the TenForums tutorial on doing a clean install. Note "Warning" about Secure Boot and Fast Start. You didn't mention in your post.

    Also watch how your partition disk, MBR or GPT and what setting you have in BIOS, UEFI or Legacy.

    Windows 10 - Clean Install
    Last edited by Caledon Ken; 09 Feb 2017 at 10:21. Reason: Link not pasted corrected, Picnic error
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 5
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Caledon Ken said:
    Welcome to the TenForums @SirClopsALot

    Here is the the TenForums tutorial on doing a clean install. Note "Warning" about Secure Boot and Fast Start. You didn't mention in your post.

    Also watch how your partition disk, MBR or GPT and what setting you have in BIOS, UEFI or Legacy.

    Windows 10 - Clean Install
    Fast & Secure Boot are off. I just reinstalled it again onto the SSD to make sure, and I'm still getting the error. The BIOS Setting is UEFI, and I'm not sure whether it is MBR or GPT, I don't get to choose from what I can tell - it's just whatever the default one for the Windows Installer is.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 18,424
    Windows 11 Pro
       #4

    SirClopsALot said:
    Fast & Secure Boot are off. I just reinstalled it again onto the SSD to make sure, and I'm still getting the error. The BIOS Setting is UEFI, and I'm not sure whether it is MBR or GPT, I don't get to choose from what I can tell - it's just whatever the default one for the Windows Installer is.
    UEFI gets a GPT partitioned drive. After booting from the USB flash drive, at the first screen press shift+F10 to get a command prompt. Then:

    diskpart
    select disk 0
    clean
    convert gpt
    exit
    exit

    Then proceed with a custom install and select just the unallocated space and click next to let Windows do it's thing. If you get errors after Windows reboots during the setup, remove the USB flash drive and try booting the computer from the SSD/HDD.

    Also plain, generic but name brand (like Sandisk) USB 2.0 flash drives tend to work best for the installation as well as plugging them into a USB 2.0 (Black) port if available instead of a USB 3.0 (Blue) port. And have nothing else connected to the computer during install other than the mouse, keyboard, monitor, and installation USB flash drive.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 5
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #5

    NavyLCDR said:
    UEFI gets a GPT partitioned drive. After booting from the USB flash drive, at the first screen press shift+F10 to get a command prompt. Then:

    diskpart
    select disk 0
    clean
    convert gpt
    exit
    exit

    Then proceed with a custom install and select just the unallocated space and click next to let Windows do it's thing. If you get errors after Windows reboots during the setup, remove the USB flash drive and try booting the computer from the SSD/HDD.

    Also plain, generic but name brand (like Sandisk) USB 2.0 flash drives tend to work best for the installation as well as plugging them into a USB 2.0 (Black) port if available instead of a USB 3.0 (Blue) port. And have nothing else connected to the computer during install other than the mouse, keyboard, monitor, and installation USB flash drive.
    Nothing changed. I feel it may be worth mentioning that it looks like it starts to boot Windows, then the screen goes black, returns to loading for another second, then throws the error. Not sure if that's too important or not.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 3
    Windows 10
       #6

    Having exactly the same problem as original post trying to clean install Windows 10 Education. Everything fine until reboot after "Finishing Up" check. Reboots OK but error message ("Windows could not complete...") comes up immediately. Restarting comes right back to the error message.

    This problem has been reported going back to Windows 7, and suggested fixes include going into oobe or MMC via cmd prompt. I haven't been able to try those because shift-F10 to get into cmd no longer works...

    I'm trying to do a clean reinstall after successfully running Windows 10 on the same build for more than a year. I had no trouble with my original Windows install using the same media, USB, etc. The problem seems to be related to security settings--has MS changed installation security measure in the last year?

    Thanks for any help you can offer.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 3
    Windows 10
       #7

    One correction to previous post--I downloaded updated media from the MS site for USB UEFI install. Everything else the same.

    Thanks again.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 30,120
    Windows 11 Pro x64 Version 23H2
       #8

    Well lets go back a step or two

    When you first built machine was it originally a Windows 10 machine?

    Do you still have that installation disk? Was it also Educational?

    Did you perform any customizations to BIOS. If not remove CMOS battery for 30 secs, Re-install, boot to BIOS, load defaults. Save and exit. Renter and disable secure boot, fast start.

    Attempt install. As NavyLCDR requested disconnect all devices, internal and externally if not required for load including and secondary HDD's or DVD's. If partitions are on disk delete them all and allow windows to allocate / establish? If asked for Windows 10 key do not enter, click next. Windows will activate on its own and if you need to change key you can do that later.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 3
    Windows 10
       #9

    Thanks for the reply, but I was able to solve the problem... Has to do with MS Secure Boot feature. To resolve, in bios (Asus bios in this case), make sure CSM is off, set OS type to "Other OS" (not Windows UEFI mode", the restart and return to bios. When back in bios, check under Boot\Secure Boot heading to make sure Platform Key (PK) state is "Unloaded". Assuming you're running a comparable UEFI bios, you should restart normally.

    This applies specifically to the "Windows could not complete installation..." message.

    Hope this helps!

    For a more detailed explanation (for Win 7, but the principle is the same), go here: Access Denied
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 5
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #10

    Caledon Ken said:
    Well lets go back a step or two

    When you first built machine was it originally a Windows 10 machine?

    Do you still have that installation disk? Was it also Educational?

    Did you perform any customizations to BIOS. If not remove CMOS battery for 30 secs, Re-install, boot to BIOS, load defaults. Save and exit. Renter and disable secure boot, fast start.

    Attempt install. As NavyLCDR requested disconnect all devices, internal and externally if not required for load including and secondary HDD's or DVD's. If partitions are on disk delete them all and allow windows to allocate / establish? If asked for Windows 10 key do not enter, click next. Windows will activate on its own and if you need to change key you can do that later.
    The product key + install is from the college, and provided in the form of a software download, which makes you download the Media Creation Tool. There is no disk. I will try loading BIOS defaults to see if I messed something up along the way.

    Edit: Reverting to default BIOS changed nothing.
      My Computer


 

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