When performing a clean install all partitions are deleted and the drive is unallocated.
The Windows 1511 is deleted.
If a Windows 10 iso with build 1803 is used the only installation that will work will be 1803.
So any problems that had existed with partitions, or drivers, or users, etc. are automatically fixed.
After the installation of Windows 1803 updates can be performed.
Thanks Zbook - nothing seemed to work but perhaps I am just not doing it right? I really do prefer to have two drives one for System and one for Data so probably best to pay for someone to do it. Thanks for all your suggestions.
There are some people in the forums that have Windows on a SSD along with applications and have data on a HD. And there are some that just have the OS on the SSD. This way if there is a problem the OS can be reinstalled with little if any impact on the data. Many more though use back up images (Macrium, etc).
Consider opening a new thread asking specifically how to set it up so that the USER folders are on the second drive.
Depending on where the application is located it may take an extra click or two to save files to the proper drive.
I may have misled you. My old Laptop has a terabyte regular hard drive ( not SSD) and it is was partitioned - actually into 3 (one was what ASUS called a recovery drive) and then one for System and Programs and the other for data. It saved me when I did the first reinstall as all the data was still there and all I had to do was reinstall my programs. When I try and reinstall the ISO 1803 from the USB it seems it doesn't know where to go. I suspect the HD may be corrupted and maybe that's why I am getting the blue screen and "Critical Service failed trying to update Win10 " looping? Was there no hint of what could be wrong from all the photos that I attached previously?
In post #8 the third image displayed problems when bcdedit /enum and find "osdevice" were ran.
There were problems with the boot.
These can be troubleshooted.
The steps are trial and error until one of the steps works.
The troubleshooting can be done and will take time.
There is no guarantee that it will fix the boot.
Sometimes it is very easy, and other times it can be challenging.
It's a matter of preference whether you prefer clean install or troubleshooting the boot
The Windows operating system is old and there were problems upgrading.
So a clean install can fix the failed boot, the failed upgrade, and the BSOD all at the same time.
The clean install is the most efficient and effective method when files are backed up or if there are no important files on the drive. You know in advance that the partitions will be deleted, the drive will become an unallocated drive all software problems will be fixed as the operating system and registry are all new:
Clean Install Windows 10 | Windows 10 Tutorials
If you want to troubleshoot or clean install either can be done.
One flash drive is needed for the clean install.
One or several flash drives can be used for the troubleshooting as there are multiple methods/tools.
If there are problems with the clean install you can post images so that this can be completed. And if you prefer to troubleshoot the boot that can be continued where you had stopped. In addition there is software that can be used to troubleshoot the boot failure. If the boot troubleshooting is successful you will then have the old build of Windows 10 with the failed upgrade. This will take substantially more time to troubleshoot.
Please indicate your preference.
Thank you will check the link tomorrow when I have time and then report back. Happy to do a reinstall if it will work. So far no success.
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