Fall Creator's Update refuses to install

Hi, please post a screenshot using Minitool Partition Wizard (download, install), expand columns where necessary to make text visible and post a screenshot.
To post a screenshot please use the Insert Image icon above your post to the left of the video icon. Then Browse to your image, select it and upload it. E.g. png, jpg. Thanks.

Before upgrading - which is a significant process- it would be wise to create a disk image of your existing Windows, so if something goes badly wrong you have a way back.You can do that using Macrium reflect (free) (option Backup Windows)+ an external disk to store disk images
(We strongly recommend the routine use of disk imaging- lets you restore your PC even if your disk fails and you need a new one).

When upgrading please
- disable any AV
- disconnect any unnecessary peripherals
- make sure you have at least 500Mb of unallocated space on your system disk
- ideally 20Gb or more free space on C:

You may prefer to attempt the upgrade manually - i.e. download the iso file, then start the upgrade:
Download Windows 10 ISO File

Hi, first reaction is the somewhat unfamiliar terminology used... I've only seen it in textual descriptions.

Here's my layout for example:


That said, EFI partitions are also known as ESP (but I've never seen one before).
The 16 Mb partition is typical
C: has to be Windows
WinRE is a term used for the Recovery partition, but I've not seen it on a disk like that. Also that partition is a lot larger than normal- 450Mb is typical.

HDDR - I've no idea what that is.

Note it has no drive letter, so is not visible to Windows - it's also quite big. Any ideas?

Where did this installation come from originally? Was the PC bought with Windows on it, or was it clean installed? Has it ever been a dual boot configuration?

Sorry, just a bit puzzled... probably someone's seen something like this before and can comment.

Here I've used Minitool Partition Wizard, rt clicked on my EFI partition, then clicked explore.
Does yours look similar?


Could you do the same for WinRE and HDDR and post those?
I'd just like to be sure what we're looking at.

Also please post your Windows build:
Windows key + R, winver
and a screenshot of
Settings, System, About

Please confirm you can access Safe Mode via SHIFT + left click Restart - your PC will restart, follow through the prompts to a screen where you have a vertical numbered selection - press 4
(This does a quick check on the recovery partition)

After those quick checks, the only thing you'd need to do with the partition is to shrink C: by- let's say 2Gb (more than your existing recovery partition, just to be cautious).

Why? It's quite normal for Windows to create a new recovery partition on upgrading. If there's no space, it can't.

Good to check that; many PCs are upgraded beyond the OS officially supported by their manufacturer, and even though not tested with Win 10. And the owner just assumes they should and will work ok.

That's a risk, and many take that risk without considering it. If it works, great, if not, cry for help.. and it may need a fudge, or perhaps not be possible.

Incompatibilities can be unexpected- my old PC got very hot in Safe mode after upgrading to Win 8. I guess low level driver incompatibility.

That your PC now fails in the upgrade process may be nothing to do with incompatibility.

That MS has offered you the upgrade suggests your PC is not on a list to which the upgrade should not be offered.

As I said, safest course is to create a disk image before upgrading.

As a one time engineer, using things outside their spec is not good.