Current Status of Windows 10 October 2018 Update version 1809

Hi midgo, TC,

IIRC, Weren't there problems with some upgrades if the OS was on an SSD and, b.) if there were another or too many other drives connected when upgrading?

First thing I'd try is disconnecting those other seven drives then run the assistant, if unsuccessful and bare with me here because I have zero experience with SSD's; Try re-trimming the SSD see Option three - Part five or use your owner's manual for instructions on re-trimming. Then run the assistant.

As always it is good practice to run a recent system backup before trying either of these suggestions.

Related in case you don't have a manual: Btw, thanks midgo for filling in your system specs.
850 EVO Series SSD 250GB Edit product model in case this isn't yours.

But I'm not sure a re-trim would help as I found this while looking for the manuals link:

TRIM SUPPORT
I tried trimming the SSD, and discovered that only 4KB (= 8 x 512-Byte blocks) aligned TRIM commands have any effect on the SSD. Sending 8 TRIM commands for 1 block each instead of one large TRIM command for the same 8 512-Byte blocks does not have any effect. Sending a TRIM command for unaligned 16 blocks only affects the aligned 4KB inside the TRIM region, the unaligned start and the rest at the end of the TRIM region is ignored. The reason for this is that the FTL inside EVO840 primarily works on 4KB and 8KB blocks, so the SSD simply does not care about anything smaller. So if you want to send a random TRIM command that definitely deletes at least some data, you would have to make it at least 15 blocks large. Please keep in mind that most partitioning tools created unaligned partitions by default in the past, so even if you align your TRIMcommands within a partition, they might be unaligned on the disk.

Source: The missing Samsung EVO 840 - 250 GB SSD Repair Manual - page 28 of 51

It is for the 840 from July 2016 but may still apply to your 850.

midgo said:

...I have tried many ways to upgrade to latest 1809 but I can only get up to about 57% of install which then fails.
Tried the update assistant and the media creation tool.
Don't want a clean install just an in place upgrade....

There are two ways to use the Media Creation Tool, the first is to click 'Upgrade this PC now' which works much the same way as the update assistant.

The second (which has been found to work when the update assistant fails) is to use the MCT to download the ISO. Then you mount the ISO and run Setup from that to perform the in-place upgrade. If you have not yet tried it, use the ISO method. One advantage of this method is that you can disconnect from the internet and avoid problems that may due to checking for updates while upgrading. Another advantage is that you get a detailed two-part error code if it fails, aiding diagnosis.

Repair Install Windows 10 with an In-place Upgrade | Tutorials

@midgo,

Very good suggestions by @Anak above, I would also add to check and see if you have the latest driver for your Display Adapter in Device Manager. You can let Windows check it for you, but I would rather go directly to the Manufacturer's site.
After making sure, you have a system image backup (very important), try:
-sfc /scannow for any integrity violations in a cmd (with admin privilege)
-Dism.exe /online /Cleanup-Image /checkhealth
-Dism.exe /online /Cleanup-Image /restorehealth
-Reset Windows Update data base:
Reset Windows Update in Windows 10

-Finally give it another try with the repair install.

f14tomcat said:

Plenty of space. Should have been an error code listed with that message, something like 0x8000001d, just an example, no idea what yours would have said.

No codes only this.
Not much info why it has failed...

Ztruker said:

Lots of hits doing a Google search: windows 10 setup windows 10 installation has failed

Have you disconnect all drives except the SSD?
Disconnect everything except mouse, keyboard and display.
Are your user folders still on the SSD or have you moved them elsewhere?
Uninstall your Anti-virus if other than Windows Defender.
Try updating from a Clean Boot: How to Perform a Clean Boot in Windows 10 to Troubleshoot Software Conflicts

I will try your suggestions when I get home from work.
Windows user files are on the SSD.
I will advise the outcome.
Thanks for your reply.

midgo said:

I will try your suggestions when I get home from work.
Windows user files are on the SSD.
I will advise the outcome.
Thanks for your reply.

No joy.
I disconnected all 7 hard drives and only had the keyboard and mouse and the C: drive on.
I used a USB stick with the windows ISO on it and tried a setup from that.
Same result.
It installs to about 59% then stops and shows the Windows installation failed message.

No error codes are show.
I am not sure what to do now???
Any ideas guys...

For Windows upgrade failures run setupdiag:

SetupDiag | Microsoft Docs

It may give you information to start the troubleshooting.

Then you can open a new thread with a share link of the results (one drive, drop box, or google drive)