Something which occurred to me - could you download a Linux Live installation?
Then boot Linux from a USB drive or whatever, and use Linux to download the Microsoft stuff - for instance the .ISO installer for Windows. It would also eliminate (or otherwise) some possible issues with it being an issue with your network blocking microsoft.com rather than your Windows installation.
(But I've no idea of the practicalities as Linux is outside my comfort zone.)
The best way forward if you have significant corruption is indeed to upgrade manually and so get a new copy of Windows, assuming there is not further damage that prevents the upgrade.
I can't recommend trying to use a boot disk to download an iso.
Whilst it is of course possible to download any of the isos produced by MS (legitimately) e.g. by using a boot disk such as Kyhi's (top of the Software and Apps section here, Win 10 based), you would need to make sure you're getting the right one- base language, Home/Pro - same iso => either depending on your previous activation or license, x32 vs x64, etc etc - and of course the current build. If you used a boot disk then you'd need to manually select the iso and you'd need to know the appropriate URL to use to access the library of isos.
If the other PC uses a similar Windows edition, language etc, then it should be no problem.
I'm probably being dumb here, but isn't the URL simply this? :
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/soft...oad/windows10/
I agree some care is needed to select the right edition etc. though.
Yes, it should be ok as you can select a lot of options by way of language etc if you choose to create an iso for a different PC.
Okay - managed to get both the Macrium files and Windows 10 downloaded onto two separate USBs. Both the desktop in question and the downloading laptop are both Win10 Home version 1607, so I assume I've got the correct Win10 files. I'm creating a backup with Macrium now - do I need to put that on another flash drive? I assume it's not safe just to leave it on this PC...
About to run out the door to work, but if you all give me the green light, I'm going to try tonight. I did build the PC myself, so I'm assuming I'll put in the Win10 USB and change the boot order to boot from it first, then reinstall Win10?
Man, this makes me nervous but also excited to have my PC doing what it should again!!
BTW I'm grandfathered in on Verizon, truly unlimited, no throttling. With Netflix I'll use 50 GB a week sometimes! I know I'm absolutely spoiled. Just did a speedtest - here she is.
Edited to remove IP. Download speed 23.69 MB/sec, upload 9.11 MB/sec.
Last edited by theTastyCat; 02 Jun 2017 at 17:14.
Aaaand the backup file is 135 GB, lol...so that's not going on a flash drive - is it OK to leave it on a non-system hard disk?
Man, I'm a little nervous to pull the trigger on this one! But you all have been so helpful and patient.
The image file could be from 50% to near 100% of what you're backing up.
Make sure you selected "Windows Backup" in Macrium so all Windows partitions are backed up.
Your image should be saved on an external disk for obvious reasons. (I have a 2TB USB disk for this)
Well that certainly makes sense. 2TB external drive ordered - should be here tomorrow or the next day. Then the great fix will commence!!
If that truly is your IP address in post #15, you may want to erase it. Probably will do no harm, others may know, but why tempt fate. Just a thought.
Smart - thank you! Edited.
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