Need help fixing system files

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  1. Posts : 42,734
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #11

    It's worth trying to use what you've downloaded to upgrade to 1607, and see how you get on. If Windows runs, and no issues, you've won, and saved yourself a great deal of reconfiguration (unless, of course, you only have a few things installed).

    Before you do either an upgrade or a clean install, use disk imaging to back up completely what you have now. That way you can always restore what you have (if the upgrade fails), & you have a full backup from which you can recover any data you've forgotten if you choose to do a clean install.

    Note that MS is working on solving a number of widely reported issues some experience with the anniversary update, so it's best to be cautious.
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  2. Posts : 17
    Windows 10 x64 Home
    Thread Starter
       #12

    Reporting back: I extracted the Win 10 Home ISO (1607) to my D: drive and ran setup.exe from there in the hopes of keeping my files and apps. At first, everything went well--downloaded updates, setup said all was well, chose to keep files, and started the install. About 35% of the way through, everything stopped and I got a message something like "Installation failed" and was returned to the desktop where I started.

    Any ideas?
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 42,734
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #13

    Hi,
    Please confirm before doing this you did indeed use disk imaging to create a full image backup in case sthg went wrong. (Note- worst case you could end up with an unbootable PC)

    Preliminary: run chkdsk on your OS drive.
    From an admin command prompt
    [Windows key + X, click command prompt (admin)]
    chkdsk C: /F
    Your PC will need to restart.
    Make sure the result is clear or fixed.
    Post back the result, which you can get after a restart as follows:
    How do I see the results of a CHKDSK that ran on boot? - Ask Leo!

    1. View the setup logs. Here is what I found for you with a search for
    How do you check the setup log "windows 10"

    Windows Setup Log Files and Event Logs

    2. Consult the many threads on setup failures here on the forum (and elsewhere).
    Search for
    installation failed

    3. There should have been some sort of error message. Make a careful note of that and search for it.

    4. Do the installation without checking for updates i.e. keep it simple.

    5. Do the installation from a clean boot- disable your antivirus, disconnect any external peripherals.
    Last edited by dalchina; 07 Sep 2016 at 08:04.
      My Computers


  4. Posts : 17
    Windows 10 x64 Home
    Thread Starter
       #14

    I do (supposedly) have a disk image on an external hard drive. I was not able to create a Recovery USB stick--error said files were missing from system. And after running CHKDSK, Event Viewer reported no errors.

    I looked at the setup log, but the last entry was from December 2015 (probably when I upgraded to v1511).

    Reluctantly, I am considering doing a clean install, as long as I can boot to a USB. I have the v1607 Win 10 Home setup files there.

    I'd appreciate any suggestions.

    Tom
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 42,734
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #15

    Hi, which path you choose is up to you.. if it's not too time consuming to do a clean install (data/settings/number of programs).. then you can of course do that.

    I would recommend you run chkdsk simply as a matter of course..

    You could try an in-place upgrade repair install (see tutorials) - keeps all programs and most settings, then upgrade.

    Plenty of people have upgrade problems, not easy to resolve, but that equally means plenty of material to research.

    Note too that to upgrade you would (from what I've seen) need at least 450Mb of unallocated disk space, and about 10Gb spare space + enough for Windows.old - as much as your existing Windows folder.

    Whatever you do, make sure you have a valid image that also acts as a full backup from which you can, if necessary, take files and folders.
      My Computers


  6. Posts : 1,773
    Windows 10 Home
       #16

    "I extracted the Win 10 Home ISO (1607) to my D: drive and ran setup.exe from there in the hopes of keeping my files and apps ..... About 35% of the way through, everything stopped and I got a message something like "Installation failed".

    I thought the plan was that you were going to copy the ISO from data drive D to desktop on C where the current OS is ? Did you try that, all ?
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 17
    Windows 10 x64 Home
    Thread Starter
       #17

    mrgeek, I didn't try copy the setup files to C and running from there. I finally decided to do a more drastic install by booting to the USB stick and running from there. All went well--I'm just facing the task of reinstalling programs (ugh). I hope, though, that I have expunged the broken system files that were giving me trouble. Now I'd like to figure out how to upgrade this computer from the Home version to Pro. I appreciate all your help. I guess this is "case closed," but Ill be sure to ask more questions should something arise.

    Tom
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 1,773
    Windows 10 Home
       #18

    Glad you're finally at a 'clean slate'. I keep a D drive with nothing but updated program installations so they're readily available, in case of clean install. It's not a bad thing, as you get a second chance to decide what you really want or need and you can find out if there are new versions.

    Now I'd like to figure out how to upgrade this computer from the Home version to Pro.

    You'll need to buy and upgrade license for $99 at the MS Store. Here's a good overview article, as to what 10 Pro adds and you can decide whether you really need it or not. There's a more substantial diff between 10 Home and 10 Pro than 8.1 and 8.1 Pro -
    How to easily upgrade from Windows 10 Home to Windows 10 Pro | Windows Central
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 17
    Windows 10 x64 Home
    Thread Starter
       #19

    Thanks again!
      My Computer


 

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