Safe to delete SoftwareDistribution folder(s)? And how?

Samael · 15 Feb 2019

What initial error message are you refering to? An error during the installation? It never gives me an error, it just stops at around 90% then restarts and reverts back to an older version of windows, and i get the 0xc1900101 code under Windows Update tab. And im not entirely sure what other information im supposed to provide. Im not too good at troubleshooting and it gets pretty confusing real fast when it comes to different error codes and log files / entries to dig after. I wish i could be of more help but i dont really know what to do.

dalchina · 15 Feb 2019

When you are running Windows normally and the upgrade starts, it must fail in some manner. When it stops, do you see something on the screen showing it has failed?

Or nothing? Is there a message or an error number?

If you are unable to provide any data, I'm left flying blind, and would suggest
- asking a friend for help
- taking it to a PC repair shop
- somewhat randomly trying this:
1. First check your disk(s):
Download and run Hard Disk Sentinel (trial) (includes SSDs)
(This gives exceptionally good text comments)
Post a screenshot of its GUI using the Insert Image icon above your post.
If all disks are reported as good, continue.

2. Now check your file system:

From an admin command or powershell prompt
[Windows key + X, click command prompt (admin)]
chkdsk C: /scan

and report the result. Note this fixes nothing.

If ok, download the 1809 iso (Use the Microsoft media creation tool)

Then upgrade manually by
Log in normally
Rt click the iso file
Click Mount
Open the new disk created by this
Run setup.exe

Samael · 15 Feb 2019

There's nothing. It downloads the update without issues, including the initial installation prior to restart, then prompts to restart windows as with all window updates, then starts the installation after the restart (the blue screen with progress bar, and several restarts in between) but fails at around 90% and reverts back to older version.

Samael · 15 Feb 2019

Okay, i might try the Media Creation Tool. Ive been a bit confused about that though. Do you need to sacrifice a USB stick in order to do that? Or can you just format it afterwards and it will work as normal?

EDIT:
Never mind, i guess you just download the file, mount it with daemon tools or the like, and then run the setup directly from windows with the new drive created by daemon

Samael · 15 Feb 2019

So i just tried updating from the Media Creation Tool, and it was much the same. The update after restart got to 84% i think and then i get the "Regretting changes, reverting back to an older version", not quite sure if that translation is on point, but somewhere along those lines.
I got a bit more indepth error code though after returning to windows from the Media Creation Tool setup, which states:

0xC1900101 - 0x4001E
The installation failed in the SECOND_BOOT phase with an error during PRE_OOBE operation.

Again not quite sure if the translation is 100% correct, but there's a bit more info on the error than i usually get from windows update.

Now windows update is trying to download and install the 1803 again

dalchina · 16 Feb 2019

Thank you for the update and details of the message.

If you wish to stop updates meanwhile, which would be a good idea, you can use this tool:
Stop Windows 10 Updates Properly and Completely Solved - Windows 10 Forums

Researching that message
0xC1900101 - 0x4001E The installation failed in the SECOND_BOOT phase with an error during PRE_OOBE operation.
will give many results - you can have a look yourself.

Possibly the easiest thing to try is to do a clean boot and then reattempt the upgrade.
Note that the log files may provide some indication.
Perhaps you can upload (zip them and upload)
setupact.log
setuperr.log
https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/...sion-of-window

Example:
Error 0xC1900101-0x4001E When trying to upgrade from Windows 8.1 to - Microsoft Community
0x8007002C-0x4001E, Installation failed in the SECOND_BOOT phase
Installation failed in the SECOND_BOOT Phase - Microsoft Community

Brief description of the 2nd boot phase
Fix Windows 10 error in second boot and complete the upgrade

Samael · 16 Feb 2019

Tried the clean boot a couple of times with same result.
I think im about to have exhausted the internet for possible solutions to this issue, so unless someone can gather some information from log files i think my Windows Update is permanently FUBAR.
I dont really care THAT much about the new updates, as my computer is running quite fine at the 1709 update, i believe it is. I dont have BSODs or crashes. The only issue i seem to have is Windows Update not working and taking up a lot space on my C: drive. Ive spend many hours on trying to fix this now and dozen of different methods and nothing works. Ive thought about running the ISO from Media Creation Tool in Windows Safe Mode, and see if that might work? Ive also read about something about changing a Windows Provisions registry code, but not sure i dare do that.
Running the Windows Update troubleshooter gives me an error about Update Database being corrupted / damaged, but ive had this issue before and solved it and didnt work either, but now i cant seem to fix it. The error is "Potential Windows Update database error detected".

dalchina · 16 Feb 2019

Running the Windows Update troubleshooter gives me an error about Update Database being corrupted / damaged, but ive had this issue before and solved it and didnt work either, but now i cant seem to fix it. The error is "Potential Windows Update database error detected".

The usual thing to do with that is to reset Windows update (tutorial posted previously I believe).

Post #12 - have you checked your disk?

Options
- post the update logs in the hope there's something that stands out.
- do an in-place upgrade repair of 1709 (you need a 1709 iso for that).

Samael · 16 Feb 2019

In Hard Disk Sentinel, which tab do you want a picture of? And which update logs are you refering to? The setuperr.log and setupact.log from C:\$WINDOWS.~BT\Sources\Panther ?
Im not sure how i do an in-place upgrade repair.

dalchina · 16 Feb 2019

Safe to delete SoftwareDistribution folder(s)? And how?-1.jpg

Run it, that's it, unless you've more than 1 disk.

Post #12
Then upgrade manually by
Log in normally
Rt click the iso file
Click Mount
Open the new disk created by this
Run setup.exe

Or see the tutorial on in-place upgrade repair install

You need a compatible 1709 iso.